Paul Chen-Hanwei - Practical Series - Katana

by Pachi Paradice

Product Features

• Thickness: .27"
• Overall Length: 39-1/2"
• Blade: 27-1/4"
• Handle: 11-1/4"

Product Description

The Practical Series (SH1070, SH2061, & SH2254) represent CAS's most popular set, offering excellent quality at a great price. The blades are hand forged high carbon ste3el and are differentially tempered using a traditional claying method to produce a HRC60 on the edge (ha) and a HRC40 on the back (mune) with a medium (chu) kissaki. The temper line (hamon) is authentic and prominent. The fittings (koshirae) are superbly antiqued adding to the aesthetics of the set. The saya is done in a deep black lacquer and the sageo is black Japanese cotton. The tsuka-ito is wrapped in synthetic leather with great gripping characteristics and imitation ray skin (same) is used. Cost savings are affected by using fittings, which, while making no claims to authenticity, are very strongly built to withstand the rigors of cutting exercises (tameshigiri). Overall Length: 39-1/2" Blade: 27-1/4" Handle: 11-1/4" Thickness: .27" Weight: 2lbs 5oz

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• ASIN: B000LPLID2
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,315 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get these while they are still affordable, October 25, 2007

By 

B. Dickey (PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Chen-Hanwei - Practical Series - Katana (Misc.)

I didn't buy this particular item from Amazon, I bought it off of Imerial Weapons' website a few years ago because Amazon didn't offer it at the time. I've had this Katana for almost 4 years old now and it is an incredible object worth every penny of the asking price. This is definitely a sword for the serious collector who values functionality at affordability. It DOES withstand the rigors of cutting exercises as the product entails. It DOES feel incredibly solid upon impact with the target (always use something no harder than a dowel rod; use cardboard tubing, boxes, tashegimi mats if you can afford them, etc.). Before you test make sure you have some training as to how to use one of these. EDGE ALIGNMENT IS CRITICAL WHEN YOU ARE DOING CUTTING DRILLS!! These swords are incredibly sharp, quick, and light and a slight miscalculation or twist of the wrist on your part could end the life of your sword and/or end you up in a hospital needing a fair amount of stitches, both will ruin your day. Treat it with respect as it is the real deal! Another thing as well: DON'T FORGET TO OIL THE BLADE BEFORE YOU SHEATH OR STORE IT!! The blade is made of 1095 High Carbon Steel which means that it is highly prone to rust! One simple fingerprint on the blade will cause a rust mark if not cleaned off, and depending on the placement of said fingerprint, it can compromise the integrity of the blade if not treated. I recommend spraying WD-40 or rubbing vegetable oil on the blade and wiping it clean with a rag or a soft paper towel before sheathing (don't worry if there is still residual oil on the blade, it's good for the steel and creates a protective moisture barrier). I also recommend picking up a sword cleaning kit (look up Sword Demon on Amazon, he sells them for like $8.00) to look after your investment. The one thing about Good, Real Katanas is that they last hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. This sword is the real thing and if you take care of it, it will last you way past your children's, children's, children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great price for a great sword, October 11, 2010

By 

MK Ultra - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paul Chen-Hanwei - Practical Series - Katana (Misc.)

this sword is razor sharp and awesome for the price. keep in mind though the name practical katana sums it up well. this sword is not meant to be pretty or flashy, its a great beginner sword for anyone whos interested in doing some tameshigiri but not wanting to spend a large amount. if you are looking for a pretty sword with a traditional hamon the pcpk probably wont meet your expectations. however it far exeeded my expectations on my first tameshigiri. feels great in the hands and first impression is that of a well built blade. i searched many hours before finally deciding on this for a few reasons. 1. similar swords will cost upwards of 600-1200 dollars simply because of aesthetics. 2. paul chen has a geat reputation. and 3. the price is definitely right especially for beginners or even beggining collectors.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best For Cutting Demos, June 15, 2010

By 

Paul L. White "gezortenplotz" (Middletown, RI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Chen-Hanwei - Practical Series - Katana (Misc.)

Last weekend, I participated in a cutting demonstration (tameshigiri). Out of 14 participants, only three had their own cutting swords, so my Paul Chen Practical sword was used by 12 others.

The math doesn't seem to work out, does it?

The reason is that one student, using his more expensive live blade, failed to cut the target (two bamboo beach mats rolled tightly together and soaked overnight) cleanly in several cuts to the target. I offered to let him use my Practical sword on his second target and he cut through the target several times like it wasn't even there.

Students who had never cut targets before, borrowed the Practical blade and also had success cutting through the target cleanly. They stepped away from the target stand with the proper awe of the sword and the knowledge of why the sword was the weapon of choice for thousands of years.

The Paul Chen Practical blade has stood up to all beginner mis-handlings and mistakes. When the blade did get stuck in the target, students correctly left the blade embedded in the target and took one step back, arms straight, pulling the tsuka gashira (rear of the handle) toward the abdomen to remove the blade embedded in the target without torquing it or breaking the edge.

The Paul Chen sword was wiped down with a dry cloth after each target (and before sheathing in the saya) because the water and tanins in the soaked mats are so smelly and corrosive. After each cutting demo, the blade has been given a thorough cleaning with the standard sword cleaning kit and wiping down with the choji oil. Even with this care, after four years of service as the 'dojo cutter,' there is evidence of small pitting in the bo hi (blade groove). Other than that, the blade and fittings have no discernable signs of wear.

One thing that a potential buyer needs to know is that the tsuka (the wrapped handle) is glued to the sword's tang and it can't be removed to change sword furniture like a normal katana. Don't mess up your sword trying to remove it.

In this cost range, no other blades in my experience come anywhere near the cutting ability and durability of the Paul Chen Practical. The other benefit is that the cost of this sword is so low that if the blade is damaged by a beginner borrowing the sword, it can easily be replaced -- which can't be said for more expensive live blades.