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Pros: Blade Material, Usable
Cons: Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard
Disappointed
I didn't have super high expectations for a $400 sword, but I did hope hope that Cold Steel would come through with some quality. The kashira was loose and the kojiri fell off the saya completely at some point before it made it to me. The blade itself is solid and looks good though it has some scuffs, not on the edges like it had been used, but just above the hamon. The curvature of the blade is also a bit drastic for a katana, but still solid. As I've heard about Cold Steel's katanas the blade is a bit forward heavy. Due to the weight the tsuka seems a bit flimsy and the strips of ray skin are narrow enough that if you look closely enough you can see the wood of the handle. The tsuba is also slightly crooked and the saya is extremely snug. I debated returning this katana due to these flaws, but am thinking about keeping it to practice maintaining, sharpening and disassembling, especially since I have the matching wakizashi (which arrived in much better shape). I also own the CAS hanwei golden oriole, and for almost twice the price, is worlds apart from this in quality and perhaps that led me to have a higher expectation. I give the mizutori katana 3 stars because a little better QC could have made all the difference.
