Shobu Zukuri - The Scalpel tip Katana...

The Shobu Zukuri geometry is quite different from your standard run of the mill Katana, with a blade that bears quite a few similarities to those Korean swords, the Jingum.

Most notable is the absense of a yokote (border line between the tip and the cutting edge) and a graceful, curved slicing tip that was used to great effect against the Mongol leather armour during their attempted invasions in the 13th century AD.

In this hands on review we take a look at one of the two contemporary Shobu designs by Cheness Cutlery – the ‘Kurome’ or Black Eyes – and see why it is less of a sword and more of a giant scalpel – with all its inherent strengths, and weaknesses...

Cheness Kurome Katana

Replicas of the Shobu Zukuri style of Katana are very rare in the production sword market. So naturally the low cost Cheness version, made from their famous recipe of 9260 Spring Steel, has on the whole been welcomed by Japanese sword collectors and Martial Artists with some enthusiasm. But the geometry, which is quite common on Korean swords – makes it understandably popular with practitioners of the growing Korean Sword Art, Haidong Gumdo who are looking for a cutting sword – but who don’t have $1,000+ to spend on obtaining one...

For whatever martial art you may be looking at one of these for – one thing is for certain. Overall, this is a very attractive piece and it also showcases the general evolution of the Cheness product line towards a much more visually pleasing, yet still eminently functional Katana.

The fittings are really quite classy for a workhorse sub US$300 sword.

The Kashira (pommel cap) is featureless and smooth, but the dyed black same with tight brown ito wrap looks stunning.

With two pegs, one brass (for safety, as recommended by a very high ranking JSA practitioner) and one winter harvested bamboo do their job superbly – though there was a little sawdust from where the mekugi ana were drilled through on the black same. However this was easily cleaned up with a damp cloth in less than a minute either side.

Menuki ornaments on either side of the tsuka handle are simple are a bit hard to identify but appear to be of a Dragon/Serpentine icon of some description – mostly black but with the copperery base showing through on the scales and in the embossed designs.

The tsuba is also more detailed than previous Cheness models, and rather intricate and hard to describe – so I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking...

Apparently, it is from this tsuba this particular sword gets its name – ‘Kurome’, meaning ‘Black eyes’ and it does seem to have a somewhat brooding presence befitting of this style of ancient Japanese swords.

Overall, the fittings give it a very mean appearance – which perfects fits the wickedly sharp, scalpel like blade...

THE BLADE

There is little doubt that looking at the blade of a Shobu Zukuri Katana that it is designed to cut along every single inch of its surface.

Like all Cheness 9260 monosteel blades, the hamon is of course cosmetic only – but is done quite nicely – not too gaudy and not too subtle – and quite straight. However, most of the blade is practically indistinguishable from any other Cheness Katana – and the weight and balance (2lbs 9oz and 6” from the tsuba) gives it exactly the same handling as the solid bodied version of the Cheness Tenchi Katana - that is to say its no lightweight – but with a very authoritive cut and well within the parameters of a historical Nihonto.

Indeed, other than the fittings, the only real point of difference is of course the execution of the tip.

There is no doubt that it looks very elegant, and is more attractive than the kissaski of other Cheness swords, which are done only for the sake of functionality, with a somewhat abrasive counter polish. And the tip of the blade is both extremely thin and needle like, with the last few inches forming a real scalpel sharp cutting edge for deep slicing cuts.

However, it is so elegant as to appear extremely fragile – and while it thrusts quite well against soft targets, it doesn’t have the same punch as a regular Cheness kissaski (which of course, is a trade off for the scalpel like tip).

But to really get an idea of how it all comes together, it was now time to put this Shobu Zukuri to the test.,.

TEST CUTTING

Being intimately familiar with Cheness 9260 Spring Steel swords, there were only two areas that separated this blade from all the others I have tested from a purely practical cutting point of view.

How well the tip cut and if it really was as fragile as it looked...

For the first test, I prepared a pre rolled and soaked Mugen Dachi Tatami mat (this time, literally pre-rolled, being so busy these days I decided to try out the mats of Keen Mirror – who take the Mugen Dachi mats and roll them to your specs, a real time saver – and not much more expensive!) and began to experiment with a few quick tip cuts...

Now naturally, ideally these cuts would only go as deeply as I positioned the sword. Essentially, they are very fast slices designed to soften up an opponent by opening up the arteries in the neck, arms or legs (which is one heck of a softening up tactic!). But could equally be used to slice through leather armour where a normal cut would be ineffective, as the Mongol invaders to japan found out only too well...

As you can see from the video below, the Cheness Shobu Zukuri did not disappoint.

VIDEO: Tip Cutting The scalpel like edge of the tip slices quite nicely…

It cut through to the depth I positioned the sword at – with injuries to the Tatami that simulated deep cuts that would pretty much go through down to the bone... So I followed it up with a few ‘like a knife through butter’ full length cuts to finish off the mat.

Satisfied with its tip cutting ability, the only unanswered question now was how durable was the tip in a straight on thrusting test. And for this test, I brought out a trusty 55 gallon steel drum...

Now I have tested a regular Cheness 9260’s kissaski on these barrels before with no problems whatsoever. But the thin, needle like point of the Shobu Zukuri swords was a totally different proposition than the chisel like kissaski of a regular Katana...

The wall of the drum was a serious challenge. These things do not puncture easily... And I was quite certain that going into the test, the fragile looking tip would either snap off or bend like a pretzel...

Only one way to know for sure. But whatever happened, I knew it was time to say goodbye to this Shobu Zukuri in its current pristine condition (the things I do for the sword community! Lol).

VIDEO: Destructive Testing on the tip Comparative test on a 55 Gallon steel drum – Cheness 9260 Katana with normal kissaski and the Kurome Shobu…

The end result was surprising. Naturally, it didn’t go anywhere near as deep as a regular kissaski. But it did pierce the steel barrel – and the damage was confined to barely a millimetre or two...

Certainly better than expected!

CONCLUSION

So there you have it. The Cheness Shobu Zukuri are a unique design for a relatively inexpensive dojo cutter. With a tip designed for slicing rather than puncturing, and with quite attractive fittings – there is no doubt in my mind that it is another winner.

Overall, it is certainly one of Cheness Cutleries more attractive swords – and the profile of the blade, being quite similar to Korean swords, makes it a good choice for the Haidong Gumdo Practitioner on a budget too.

Of course, as the tip is nowhere near as durable as the other Cheness 9260 blades, I do need to adjust the final score for this sword slightly. And as a result, it isn’t for everyone. But for those looking for something just a bit different than the regular Shinogi Zukuri Katana – Cheness Cutleries Shobu Zukuri certainly fit the bill.

PROS

• Extremely durable cutting edge (same as Tenchi Katana)

• Scalpel tip allows very fast tip cuts and deep thrusts into soft targets

• Unique and attractive tsuka ito and black rayskin combination

• Tip is more fragile than normal kissaki

• A little on the heavy side

WHERE TO BUY

We were so impressed by the Cheness Cutlery Kurome that we have made it available manufacturer direct right here at the SBG Sword Store