Impression by Tiziano Santambrogio, Asian arts of fighting and wellness expert, Gestalt counselor
I wanted a solid and beefy blade for my cutting training and for my “shadow” gekken or Iaido Kata’s.
A sword to train sequence of tameshigiri. When my level will be sufficient, I will use my MAS from Yong Soo Park.
But for training Tameshigiri I found it with the Hanwei Practical Plus Elite!
The sword, out of box, is very nice. It gives a good impression of force and elegance. The saya is not lacquered, and I like it. I like lacquered ones only in more expensive swords, with a fine handmade lacquer. For me, it’s better a modest thing that a boorish lacquered thing how I saw in many other sword in this price range. The inside of the saya is made so and so, with a no snug fit and the risk that the katana fall out if turned upside down. Best thing is the koiguchi, often not present in the other sword of this price range.
The sageo is unwrapped: that is the best thing for me. First, because in another swords, with wrapped sageo, when I untied it, the lacquered saya was damaged: do other suplliers wrap the sageo on the “fresh paint” ? Second, because I’m buying a sword, this sword, for practice and not for collection. Certainly, first or last, I’ll buy a sageo made by a better cotton than this!
The tsuka is wood wrapped with real rayskin, tsukamaki is done with a good black cotton ito. It gives a very good sensation when handling the tsuka: you can feel the handle that follows the nakago curve: it’s incredible for a middle budget sword of this price.
Also a nice feeling tsuka is fundamental for who like me are looking for intense practice sword!!
The only problem I find (like on all not Japanese originals), is that the Tsuka it’s too long. About 22 or 24 cm. is my favourite measure.
A very fine “sunburst” tsuba and traditional fittings complete the sword. I like very much the “sunburst” tsuba !!
The blade transmits a striking image of power !! The blade is razorsharp, with an elegant and sinuous line united to an impression of wild power. There’s no bo-hi, that’s how I want it to be in a good cutter, but it doesn’t feel heavy at all. The back of this blade is nice polished. The etched hamon is, for me, too evident: the acid etching is too artificial looking. The kissaki is defined, coming to a razor sharp point that would be useful for stabbing. Even on the boshi. The acid etched hamon is too evident. The blade length is perfect, also perfect is the point of balance: I feel the blade, I feel its inner power, I work with simplicity the inertia strength during the kesa and gyakukesa giri. All in all, I am very impressed by the quality of the blade. In fact, while I’m doing tameshigri, the blade flies away and pounces on the target cutting and cutting and cutting.
My conclusion.
An excellent sword for practice, with a very competive price when compared to not only the other similar swords but also the more expensive ones. Naturally more expensive swords comes with a better koshirae, but seldom they comes with a better blade !
If You want a collection sword …. spend more money and buy another, more expensive, sword. But If you are a martial artist, and if You are looking for a weapon for your training and your tameshigiri, the Hanwei PP Elite is good for you.
For me, this is the perfect sword for a medium level martial artist or for an artist who, already owner of an important sword, needs a very efficient blade to support his work.
Also I need to give a big appreciation for the courtesy and the professionalism of www.katana-samurai-sword.com.
Tiziano Santambrogio. Italy
Asian arts of fighting and wellness expert; Gestalt counselor
