9260 Konron Forge Katana – 2e Generation REVIEW
review by Serge Winckelmans
This summer I was on vacation in Spain. Been there, my eye felt down to a ornamental katana set, and I bought it. Once I came back in Belgium I searched the web for a real katana and I found a site (in Belgium) who would deliver me a real (low budget) katana. When I saw the testings of this katana, my mind was sold to swords in general.
The next thing I did was ordering a KONRON 9260 katana at samoerai sword shop (dot com). A few days later I found a site on the internet which claims helping people finding decent swords for a reasonable price, this site was sword buyers guide. From that moment on I learned a lot of things about swords and what they can do. I own a few swords now so I can see the difference between the different suppliers. All I can say is that this katana is a decent backyard-cutting sword with nice fittings. The review will tell you the rest.
The katana is through hardened, which means that the traditional clay process wasn’t used so you won’t find a hamon on this blade. This katana is great for frequent cutting exercises (tameshigiri) . Cutting multiple rolls of beach mats or Tatami omote , goza, or even bamboo and other medium hard targets are no problem for this sword (see later in this review). This katana doesn’t has a real hamon but on the other hand it uses real Japanese fittings, Japanese cotton ito, signature on tang and a unique serial number. Dry handling of the blade revealed that it is quick and light, the fittings seemed at first glance to be tight and well placed. I’ll get into details later on.
DESIGN, FIT and FINISH
The Blade
A deep bo-hi runs the length of this curved blade. The blade came sharp. No Hamon.
The kissaki is well defined and attractive, coming to a razor sharp point that would be useful for stabbing. More on the blade when we get to the cutting tests.
The Tsuka
The tsuka is wood wrapped with real rayskin and wrapped with real Japanese cotton ito. The fuchi is a beautiful flower pattern which is gold plated painted.
The menuki are real Japanese gold plated fittings. As you can see, the rayskin is very attractive.
The Kashira
Has a beautiful flower patern, which is subtile gold plated painted. No plastic fittings!
The Tsuba
This is the Japanese “sunburst” design. This is a classic known tsuba but still a beauty on each kind of katana.
The Saya
Black lacquered wood, no scratches, no defects. Not much else to add there, it looks really good.
The sageo is a high quality, thick cord and very tightly wrapped.
A nice touch is the golden colored shitidome, which gives the saya that dash of color and character.
The Konron katana fits very well in the saya. I prefer to have a snug fit and not have the katana fall out if turned upside down. I feel this is safer. One thing I noticed is that the koiguchi (saya opening) is completely lacquered like the saya.
TESTING
I first tested the sword on plastic bottles (different kinds) filled with water.
Then I hung up a bottle on a cord
As you can see, NICE clean cuts!
On the last one I used a tatami mat.
My last touch against the tatami mat.
And again, nice clean cuts. This katana is a real bone-breaker.
5 minutes of pleasure….
CONCLUSION
Is the Konron a decent cutter? Of course it is! The Konron katana seems to be a very well built beautiful looking sword. As it is a weapon, functionality is as important, if not more important, than aesthetics. The Konron 9260 katana definitely does not disappoint in the functionality category.
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: N/A
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5 (Excellent)
