Ryumon Samurai Sword with Ray Skin Handle

I have wanted a sword for years, and saw a review for a similar Ryumon sword (dragon katana) on a sword forum that gave really positive reviews. I decided to try this out as my first sword, due to overall positive reviews and the scabbard design also appealed to me.I can't give this 5 stars, because I don't have enough knowledge of swords to honestly give it a perfect score - however, I can't find anything wrong with the one I got.-Packaging: very simple (Ryumon doesn't ship in pine boxes anymore, due to cost), in a cardboard box, but well padded and wrapped in a sword bag. I had no dents in the box, it was is great shape.-Sword itself: Nothing was loose on mine. Tsuba is rock solid, no wiggle at all. No rust on the blade, and it was heavily oiled for shipping. I just wiped off the old oil, cleaned the blade using rice paper and cloth, and re-oiled. Looked perfect to me, no dings, no rust, blade is bright and shiny...blinding, actually, in sun light. I've had this sword about two months now, and have used it a bit for practice (swings, but not cutting. I won't cut with it until I have more training/general practice).Hilt is nice, tightly wrapped. The menuki decorations in the hold are a little loose, but for all I know it's normal for them to move a little under the wrapping. The rayskin wrap is real. The hamon line appears real, but I have no way to honestly test to verify the hamon, or to test the HRC of the edge versus the blade to confirm differential heating (just taking their word at it. The hamon 'looks' very real to me, and looks natural).Overall, I was incredibly impressed by the sword, especially at the price. Mine does not appear to be a second, the scabbard and sword both look really nice - I can't find any visual flaws.As for cutting, I don't know how sharp it is. It is listed on most websites as "very-sharp" grade, but I have not had a chance to test it for cutting yet. I was scared buying from a brand I don't know, but seems it was a good choice. I can't say how it rates against well known brands like Cas-Hanwei or Cold Steel, but I have to say it feels worth a lot more than what it's selling at, in my personal opinion. I just hope all the ones sent out look as good as the one I got, good luck!

After reading the reviews and answers from other people, I placed an order to this katana nd I have to say, it is a really well made katana.The saya feels sturdy and solid in hand, and it also feels like made of bamboo, not just wood.The second great thing to the saya is the bamboo trees pattern. They are actually sculptured and then carefully and throughly painted. The exact way I want to see any patterns on the saya.The blade quality is very good and well pulished. The hamon is also in a pattern that really excites my feeling and desire to swing and use it for practice.Two things making me wander are the size of the handle and the fitting of the saya. The saya should fits the blade properly and snug....but...even though the user manual mentions the saya was deliberately made to tightly fit the habaki.....but...it is way too tight...making drawing the blade become kind of dangerous. So...unless you use it frequently to make it start losing up a little bit, otherwise, do not even ever thinking about Iai ken jutsu.The second thing....the handle/tsuka looks kind of tiny than it shoud be...at least to my logical knowledge ....if this blade has full tang and the tang is completely secured by both megugi.....than...it seems the tang is skinnier than it should be...... The size of the tsuka looks more fitting to a woman's hand than a man's hand, while it has about 41.5 inches long blade. Making me wander will the blade brakes by the tsuba if actually doing shinken shyofu (real sword fight to death).The SaMe (ray) skin also feels like plastic....not sure how the real ray skin feels like on a katana.... My Shinwan katana has ray skin that feels better and softer than is one.......Not sure if it is becuase some downgraded parts, so the price dropps 50%.......Overall, I still recommend this katana to potential buyers. The rest, check out my photos.....one more thing...........why the blade tip is also kind of bulged like my Shinwa katana?Ask me any questions that you have about this katana.This katana comes with cleaning kit and certificate, which is made in a fancy way.

I recently began collecting swords at quick pace. I collect for fun, not cutting enjoyment or martial arts practicing. Granted some of my swords can only be seen as display even though technically all are only for display, some swords are serious business and this ranks up there with the top, as far as feel and sharpness and appreciation. The outer box it came in was beat up and this concerned me for the quality of the sword. Upon taking the sword out, the tsuba was found to be a little loose. It concerned me about whether it was just a reject/defect they sold. That being said, Everything else about the sword is excellent. The saya and the blade are beautiful and quite sharp. I did a little cutting test by chopping off the top of dishwashing liquid bottle while barely, and I mean barely, moving the bottle. I have no sword skills or swinging sword skills. I merely love swords and appreciate the culture behind it. The bottle top had a pretty clean cut. Its the first time i cut something other than the box something arrived in. It cut a box well too. Though the tsuba being loose does not effect handling or change the way swinging feels, I am still bothered by it. An almost 5 star sword. I will not return it.

I don't know a lot about swords, but I did a lot of research before buying it because it was a gift. Prompt delivery, gorgeous blade, very sharp. I couldn't find anything else as good as this for the price. You could definitely find better, but you'd be paying at least hundreds of dollars more. My boyfriend was ecstatic when I gave it to him! :)

Excellent Katana! Light weight, well balanced and solid construction. Also razor sharp! Katana comes with cleaning kit, clothe bag and instruction manual.Can't wait to try on test Tami.She is a beauty! Recommend this sword and will buy more Ryumon blades.