The Golden Oriole Katana by Hanwei is a fantastic cutting blade. I have owned this blade for a number of years and have been very happy with it’s performance. It’s a moderately light blade, but is very sharp and fast. I’m a fairly large guy and always thought that I would want a heavier blade, but as soon as this blade was in my hands I knew I was going to like it. The memory of the first cut I made with it still brings a smile to my face. I took it out of the package unwrapped it and just had to cut something. We had one tatami mat in the dojo (left over from previous cutting), I had one of the guys hold it out straight (horizontal), I held the blade maybe 18″ above the mat and just let it drop (not wanting to cut anybody by accident), it cut through the mat like butter, I felt very little resistance. Like I said earlier I have been very happy with this blade.
Buy it here: CAS Hanwei Golden Oriole Katana
The CAS Hanwei Golden Oriole Katana
The overall length of the Golden Oriole Series katana is 42 1/4 inches long. The blade is 27 1/4 inches and .28 inches thick. The handle of the Golden Oriole Series Katana is 13 3/4 inches. The katana weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces. The balance point is 4 inches. The thickness of the tip is .26 inches with a width of .85 inches. The guard width is 1.16″ and .32″ thick. The CAS Hanwei Golden Oriole Katana
The story told by the stunning tsuba is of a mantis stealthily stalking the cricket, unaware that he is himself being stalked by the Golden Oriole. The deeply lacquered blue of the saya is repeated in the Japanese cotton tsuka-ito, and the Oriole appears again on the kashira. Unmistakably Hanwei quality, the 14″ tsuka of the katana gives a superb balance to the sword, allowing it to move very quickly and very freely.
Leave a Reply