Reviews and Ratings for Cold Steel 88CKK Mizutori Katana 29.75" Carbon Steel Blade

(3 reviews)

2.7 out of 5 stars

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

Cold Steel 88CKK Mizutori Katana 29.75 inch Carbon Steel Blade

Price: $464.95

Save $360.04 (44%) Off Retail

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Themastertemplar
Canada

May 02, 2019

Pros: Blade Material, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Finish, Usable

Cons: Handle Material

Battle Ready AF

If you're looking at the Cold Steel Katanas but don't want to necessarily go for the expensive Emperor series, nor the budget Warrior series (which handle like bricks just a heads up) then the Mizutori katana is the perfect middle ground. Its a fully functional 'battle ready' carbon steel blade. Out of the box, the blade is mirror polished and differentially hardened as a katana should be ( the steel on the hamon edge is hard, while the steel on the spine of the blade is softer). The sword is rather well balanced for a katana (which tend to be very blade heavy) and very lively in the hand. The only issue I have is the sageo (the handle wrap) could be much tighter out of the box and more 'grippy'. I ended up completely removing the traditional sageo wrap and redoing the whole handle with an intricate gutted and waxed paracord wrap for more practical martial arts use.

Blaine
New York

Nov 21, 2023

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.

Ryan
,Pa

Nov 09, 2023

Pros: Sheath/Scabbard

Cons: Blade Material, Finish, Handle Material, Materials, Overall Quality, Usable

Definitely not a new blade

I am highly disappointed with this katana. This was purchased as a gift but was never given due to the fact that the katana was definitely used before I received it. There are scratches and marks all over the blade. Even shows slight wear on the silk wrap on the handle. Also looks like whoever had this before me attempted some stabbing tests as well. The tip has damage to the hamon and is also covered in scratches. The katana box was opened and not sealed when I received it, however the brown shipping box was sealed and undamaged, so it didn't happen during shipping. Either this was a return or someone in the warehouse had some fun. Highly disappointed.