Overall rating: 4.6666665 / 5 from 9 reviews.
Review topics: ["looks","sword","blade","tsuba","surface","balance","scabbard"].
"Honestly, I love this blade and would argue it’s handling is damn near on par with my 800$ musashi. Sure the carbon content and alloy are different, but it can handle light abuse expected of it ( not going after bone with this guy, Which is abusive to even the higher carbon stuff ). Handling wise I’m impressed especially for the price It was even well sharpened ! Jarret Black snake forge"
"For the price good sword. Solid features. Could be sharper, but for $70.00 can't complain."
"Awesome sword for the price"
"OUTSTANDING!!!!"
"Just received this sword. It joins a collection of about a dozen Katanas, plus other swords, of various price ranges and quality levels. This sword is about lower midrange. The blade is reasonably straight, though shows it's being hand forged. The Damascus style folded pattern is nice. Edge is pretty sharp, passing the paper test, except the forward half of the tip, which is quite dull. The tsuba, with a mother and baby monkey design, is a bit loose. Overall, there is somevrattle, though the handle has two pegs securing it. I like the tan cording, but the hardware are all very plain and unadorned, with artificial aging patina. The menuki are flattish dragon shaped but blackened, being hard to see against the blackened rayskin. Weight and balance is good, aided by the fullers. The "piano-black" scabbard is average. This sword comes well packaged, in a satin-lined wood display box that is nicely made, with two hinged metal clasps and the outside in a red on black floral pattern. A black cotton sword bag is included too. Overall a nice package, though the fancy box could have been better omitted in favor of better hardware and attention to detail. I would give it four stars out of five. Also the description says it's "made by western smiths", but the blade has a laser etching near the tsube stating "manufactired in China" and other info. The Shinwa name and logo are etched on the other side. I am pleased with this sword, but expected a bit better detail."
"My came with some defects but I bought it like that, but even with the defects this is still an awesome blade to wield. This is going to be my practice katana. It cuts though almost everything with ease. Blade is super sharp, which is a plus. Most blades aren't this sharp but Shinwa usually makes a quality piece and this is no different."
"Arrived today and I love it. Came with some oxidation on the tsuba but that's not a big deal, great quality sword"
"This sword is the first sword I bought and it feels amazing and looks great and it has cut through anything i put in front including tree branches and two liter bottles full of water. It is good sword in my opinion. The guard has broken through the bottom of the box however so that kinda stinks but just proves that the sword is unstoppable"
"I like the color scheme and menuki a lot. The Tsuba also has a very interesting design, I might be mistaken looked like monkies or something but it was pretty nice and unique. The blade is really beautiful with the Damascus pattern I don't know if its real or not but it looks great. One thing i'm very disappointed in is my kissaki, the edge of the kissaki is not sharp, in fact it has a grinding defect or something that looks machined or ground raw. its actually a flat rough surface like it was chiseled away or something. Debating whether I want to try to reprofile/sharpen the edge or send it back. Balance is not as good as I was hoping for, most of my swords, actually all of them don't have a bo-hi and I was hoping this would be a good tool for light cutting. I'm not gonna say its displeasing just not what I expected in terms of balance."
