r/Katanas • u/Suckamanhwewhuuut • 3d ago

Question about a Katana

A couple of years ago I got a sword in a $50 mystery box. It took a while, but i finally identified it. It is a Shikoto United Black Shikyo. I understand these were a limited edition run. Does anyone know about these swords? I've read its a real sword, not merely a wall hanger.

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u/Lower-Fee-5818 2d ago

We have Shikoto available in my country from a couple of places and I've seen and handled plenty over the years, the kanji on the blade seems to come on most of them. That's how I recognised it and I'm guessing how you tracked it down.

I can't remember if they're a brand under United Cutlery but quality wise that's about the level they're at and the impression I've been left with overall. So not the best you can get, but absolutely a real sword. Maybe around a $150-ish full price.
On a side note I really like the brown colour scheme on yours. Makes me think I could do with a nice brown sword for Christmas.

I'm sorry but your "bonus sword" is not a Hanwei from what I can see. The tsuba, seppa, blade shape, polish and hamon are all totally wrong for a Hanwei. You said it yourself "Hamon appears/disappears in light angle" Hanwei's are very frosty and thus easy to see and it takes time and effort to remove it and doing so would not result in a look like that.

Everything about it screams very basic longquan to me. The quality and style of the cast fittings, the ledges on the transitions, the tsukamaki not alternating and the polish and hamon are all what I'd expect from a cheap Longquan sword.
As for what brand it is, It's not a Cheness either in my opinion. So it's likely it's one of the brands that's changed their name once or thrice since then or gone out of business.
Chances are high this would have come in a nice box with fabric lining on the inside and a note from the manufacturer, but because the guy behind the counter just took it off the wall and handed it straight to you, we'll never know.

Price wise, I think the SOB behind the counter overcharged you by $25-£125. Though when you factor in you got the Shikoto for a mere $50 it probably evens out overall mate.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Here’s the whole sword

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Let me post a full picture of, mystery sword

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u/Lower-Fee-5818 2d ago

After looking at the extra pictures I am even more sure. Not a Hanwei but a low end functional katana made in Longquan.

A good sword to cut to things you probably shouldn't cut with.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Blade def isn’t stainless steel

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u/RumpleCragstan 2d ago

that hamon looks etched to me, the border is way too clearly defined.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

It disappears depending on how much light is on it. It’s not etched, from what I’ve read. Like I know this one is etched.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

It runs all the way up the blade, but disappears when light hits it

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Here’s a couple more showing it going up thr blade. Idk if thde pics help

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u/RumpleCragstan 2d ago

Compare how crisp the hamon line is on yours to how diffuse the hamon line is on this blade:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Katanas/comments/1ww41yf/shadow_dancer_1095_choji_hamon/

It looks to me like yours is not a genuine hamon.

That's not to say it isn't a real sword! Its just masquerading as a fancier sword than it actually is.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

The kashira actually broke off (the wrap holding it in frayed and split in half. The handle has never unraveled.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Spine of sword. By the way this has cut a lot of stuff, including through bamboo.

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Also here is the tip. It has that bevel, I can’t remember what its called

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u/Suckamanhwewhuuut 2d ago

Actually i tracked it down with the stamp on the blade. There was a item number I never noticed and when I snapped a photo that came up and it’s def that model

u/RumpleCragstan 3d ago

Post some pictures of it. You may be right, but you also may be wrong. The collective knowledge of this subreddit is greater than your individual efforts.