One of the newest creations of the folks at the Hanwei forge, the Praying Mantis Katana. Although I didn’t immediately felt in love when I took the sword out of the box, it definitely had ‘something’ which I admired. I just didn’t figured out what…. The blade is the part of the sword that has least of my interest. I just don’t like the finish of this blade, it’s too dark for my taste but perhaps that’s because of the fact that the famous L6 / Bainite steel is used to forge it.
One of the first times I heard about the L6 steel was back in 2005 I believe. And one of the most famous Japanese smiths in the USA was very well known for using this kind of ‘hard to master’ steel for his Japanese Blades. Yes, his name was Howard Clarck . It was amazing to see how strong his swords were. I found a small trailer of his forging video on youtube :
Now, this is a Hanwei Katana and not a € 3000 Howard Clark piece so I have no idea if they are performing the same. It is indeed a more heavy sword with a very beefy blade (same dimensions as the swords in the performance serie) and forged in the shobu-zukuri style so don’t look for a kissaki or a yokote line because you won’t find it 
Personally I think this is one of the best fittings Paul Chen his people had ever created..it’s just stunning ! The combination of the dark copper and the golden and silver color inlay stole my heart..really.
The blade of this katana is with it’s 76,5cm rather long and if you check the ‘standard size’ tsuka you would think that it would be very tip heavy. If the cross section of this blade was set to 7mm, yes it would be very heavy but it only has a cross section of 5mm so I believe that’s one of the main reasons why it’s still possible to have a comfortable feeling.
The color combination of the green silk ito along with the dark copper fittings and the dark brown saya are a perfect match ! It definitely get’s my vote !
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Nice review m8.. I am trying to find any cutting review for mantis(video).. Becouse i understand an 1200euro sword its hard to put it in a cutting test …But i think thats what this sword is about with the l6 steel.. It sure wont be famous for his extreme polish blade thow i would like to see some better pics in the sun light..The thing is that paul chen l6 steel swords are the only accessable in europe as i see at the moment..Other than that you must search USA with custom swords or others very expencive..But in the otherhand l6 in mass production swords is a bit tricky so paul must convice us that he has master the art of l6steel and has made a fine and powerfull cutter and not only.:)Need video
We hear you my friend
Like you said it’s ahrd to through in a 1200 euro sword for some testcutting but who knows one day we will..
I agree with you that L6 steel is weird steel to deal with..
Dave