Bamboo Warrior Musashi Carbon Steel Katana Sword

I make swords as a blacksmith, but getting the proportions right on eastern swords is difficult. I have always wanted to have/make a Katana, so to save myself the effort of trying to make one that was properly weighted, with a real hamon, and with nice detailed fittings, I decided to buy one. I did not want a cheap, poorly made one, as I still wanted something of quality. A friend of mine recommended Musashi swords to me, as he had one I had always liked. I decided to get the bamboo one due to the hamon and the fuller down the length of the blade. I am very critical when it comes to swords, ones that I make and ones others make, so I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the piece. I would 100% recomend this sword to anyone that is looking for a good looking Katana for a reasonable price. The only negative commentary I have is that the ito wrap is a bit fuzzy, and that the tsuba is powder coated. I knew both of these would be present when I purchased the sword.

Beautiful and light weight. Very sharp and sturdy. My new favorite. Totally worth it.

Got my new baby and it's beautiful ordered my second from u already love it

After reading and watching some videos (The ones with real Japanese instructors) for a few days I finally decided to swing at a few things. I was cutting things way above what this sword was rated for and the blade edge is completely undamaged.

This product really impressed me. It's not junk, it's a fine weapon and I am sold on True Swords!

Cuts through bottles like they are not there. Good heat treat. Missed bottle. Hit 2x4 wooden stand. Cut into wood 3/4" deep. No chips, dents or nicks in blade. No scratches. Sword is put together tightly and fits snug inside the tsuba. Bought one for stepson for Christmas and when I looked it over ordered myself one too. Real hamon. For a hundred bucks I like it better than my 9260 Tenchi from Chenessnthat cost three times as much. It just feels better in my hand. Handle longer with slight wasting in grip. Get this you won't regret it.

Just as expected, have no complaints what so ever. Quality product from a quality company.

For under $100 I doubt you'll find a better sword. It's just as advertised, though I doubt Its actually 1060 steel. Shipping was fast even during the holidays. This is the 3rd Katana I've purchased, and though it's the least expensive, id say it's the best quality. Everything was nice and tight out of the box. Other then a small nick on the Saya, and a little sharpening (still cut paper out of the box) I was very pleased.

For under $100 I doubt you'll find a better sword. It's just as advertised, though I doubt Its actually 1060 steel. This is the 3rd katana I've purchased, and though it's the least expensive, id say it's the best quality. Everything was nice and tight out of the box. Other then a small nick on the saya, and a little sharpening (still cut paper out of the box) I was very pleased.

This is my first real sword ever. Did a little research, forgive me if I'm not advanced. The hamon line doesn't run to the edge in any areas on the blade. This means a good forge from what I've studied. There's no rattle except when in scabbard. In the hamon there are 2 discolored dark areas about 2 inches by 2 inches which look like a stain?? The blade is sharp, cut myself slightly...lol. Still not sure if this is a " Folded Blade ". Overall beautiful sword....highly recommended !!!!

its an amazing blade and not my first and as of yet it holds up to its reputation my only thing is mine i believe came either dull as hell or has a kata not sure it still cuts i have only done two milk jugs and a two liter bottle but it seems to cut well ill probobaly do a follow up review and it skates off of my arkansas stone? not sure but either way its an amazing product

I just got this sword and I am totally blown away. The swords blade, the hamon line, the saya, everything is beautiful. I have no regrets buying this and am considering buying another. The only thing i have bad to say about it is that the habaki has "China" etched into it. Still overall, it came sharp, and had a comfortable and beautiful handle and saya.

This is my first review. First of all, this is a beautiful and well made katana! After cutting milk jugs. I decided to see if it was really a fuctional sword. So 2" green bamboo was my decision on what would give me my answer. It cut so clean and smooth! Every cut after that one was great! But, didn't give me that feeling that first cut did. I'm hooked! Can't wait to get my next Musashi from True Swords!

Being the first Katana I have bought from Trueswords (I have ordered a few other things ranging from daggers to ornamental lockboxes), I had high hopes. It was only $99 plus the cost of shipping, and I honestly feel it was worth it. I have practiced with Katanas and plenty of other swords for a few years now, and this blade feels very nice. The blade is a little heavier than what I'm use to using but nice either way. They even send a certificate telling details of the blade and the name given to it. Mine was named "Shirakawa" (??) meaning "White River" or "River of White" in Japanese. I like it. Will be ordering from Trueswords again very soon!

This is my first Katana purchase so I am not an expert by any means but I am a extremely critical consumer and I can honestly say that I have absolutely no complaints. It is an awesome blade to look at and hold. Feels real and not like some cheap flea market or novelty store item. I would highly recommend this sword for anyone on a budget that wants a quality product that will obviously last a lifetime with proper care and handling of course.

True Swords bent over backwards to help me buy my sword i.e. I sent them a text saying I could not order the Bamboo because I did not have the right credit card...their response; a sales rep (sorry I can't remember his name) called me and went the extra mile to get my info in and get me the sword..thanks for that. Anyway the sword is awesome. I took it out and I wanted to hear the report, nothing. hen I remembered it had to be a perfect swing and swoosh..there it was, it sounded beautiful. It cuts the air so perfectly even a light swing of no more than 30 degrees reports. The sword is well made and the balance is great, it just feels right in the hand. I am very impressed by this sword and True Swords willingness to please.

pretty sharp and sturdy built.. well worth the money

I ordered it Sunday and received it on a Tuesday! That dedication and speed wins me over for any collectible and hobby of that sort.<br /><br />The item: Absolutely GORGEOUS! I have nothing ill to say and am absolutely flabbergasted. BUT, it definitely is something to look at and NOT for slashing around in the woods (if you do it anyway shame on you, stop being 12 and act your age), if you want something to slash at in forests go get one of Truesword's long handle black finish Machete Katanas (I bought one in 2012 to release my frustrations on trees and left it out in the rain/snow weather for 2 years now and it's still as if I bought it last week...)<br /><br />Back to the item: The handle felt authentic with tight bound cotton or hemp cloth (unlike some swords of that price you get at other places, which is usually cheap nylon) The handle guard is indeed heavy and iron, the blade is not razor sharp but close enough; the details were amazing. <br /><br />The blade was straight, much heavier than the handle (which is how it is supposed to be) Basically if I were to go back into a time machine with this sword no one would suspect a thing, like it says, it sticks to traditional methods and as far as I know no industrial glue or that sort have been used.<br /><br />THANK YOU!

Very happy with the purchase, ordered thursday and received saturday. Sword is very sold, great buy!

I ordered Wednesday evening and it arrived on Thursday evening razor sharp great if your looking for a pretty and a user sword buy this!!

This sword came the day after i ordered it. it came paper cutting sharp. the handle is very tightly woven and small features such as the tubsa and small piece on the end is not plastic and is very sturdy. This is the best katana you can get without spending a fortune on one.

The sword arrived in perfect condition, very sharp, all fittings very tight, no rattle. Looks and cuts awesome! Customer service was great as well, I contacted them twice once by phone and once by email and they responded within an hour or so both times (very fast) and were very nice and helpful. I ordered on a Sunday evening it shipped that Monday and I received it Tuesday couldn't ask for better customer service.

The blade came razor sharp and is very close to any other katanas I have trained with of a higher cost. Definitely recommend this and Trueswords for all your weapon needs.

Order placed Friday, Arrived Tuesday on time no damage to my satisfaction!. But really. First time sword buyers out there, i've spent my life searching for a good quality sword for a budget price. spent a few months and finally found my first one i believed was a steal @ 180 dollars. This is now my second sword, hands down im in love. The blade is absolutely beautiful, real hamon, the weight and balance is amazing (my first buy mentioned above was about 2.5 lbs w/o saya and feels somewhat awkward in different strikes) this thing sings like a hawk as it slices the air. Out of the box sharper than i could have ever hoped to have achieved personally with my own sharpening stones and hours of practice. <br /><br />Just stop reading now. buy this sword, best deal on the internet.

I ordered this sword on sunday night. It shipped on monday and I have it here today.... it is tuesday!!! SUPER fast shipping. I actually changed my order to the best miyamoto sword even. So as far as this goes my review of the sword is actually for the best miyamoto sword. I am a sword noob so for my first "real" sword I didnt want to go crazy and spend a lot. I will only be displaying it but I still wanted something that was quality (although now that it is here there are some milk jugs around here that are acting a little hostile) anyways since I am a noob and I only have a crappy flea market sword to compare it to that cost me 30 bucks I am extremely happy with it. It is at least 100 times higher in quality so do the math. The sword is flawless and the real hammon line is just plain cool. My other sword has a fake one. This sword it tight and nothing is jiggly. The overall finish is perfect on the blade handle and scabbard (dont know all the correct termanology.... yet....) I am sitting here looking it over and can honestly say that I cant find one thing to gripe about... which is unusual because I always find something to gripe about when I spend money on something. So my 5 stars are for quality, fast shipping and awesome customer service. Even though I will only be displaying the sword I have absolute confidence that if someone broke in my home and I couldnt get to my gun.... this thing would do its job.

This thing is gorgeous! Especially at this price. Can't find a flaw. Nicely packed and quickly delivered by TrueSwords as always.

I've had this amazing sword for about a year now and it looks as if I just got it yesterday! Meaning it's in great condition. I'm going to order something else for sure! For those of you who've never bought something off trueswords.com I recommend getting something just to see how good this site is! Thanks trueswords!

Superb!!! Beautiful sword, super fast delivery. The 1060 carbon steel blade lives up to expectations and then some. This is about the 6-7th sword (not including Boken) I have acquired over the years. <br /><br />The 1060 is flexible enough and better than the weaker 1045's out there. It is also strong enough without being as brittle as the 1095's. <br /><br />The sword arrived without damage, tight, clean ( packing oil aside ) and pretty sharp. True Swords did a great job.<br /><br />I want to order more swords... but stock seems to be at a low. I would also like to see a decent selection of 9260 spring steel swords available.

For the money it cant be beat. Absolutely a beautiful sword. Razor sharp good solid piece nothing loose. Good craftsmanship.

awesome, came sharper than a razor, and my sister cut her finger on it withing the first 5 minutes of "checking it out"... :D thanks again for another great product Trueswords!

A brilliant sword, solid, good looking and almost criminally sharp. At this price, I've never seen such quality.

The best sword I've owned it's very sharp handle with care

For a sub $100 sword this 'Bamboo Warrior' is possibly one of the best buys on the market. The build quality of the sword and fittings are not at all what I would expect from a $80 sword, Musashi really has outdone themselves.<br /><br />Furthermore, I had a FANTASTIC customer service experiences in which Evan, the Trueswords owner who personally helped to resolve a small issue regarding a oddly fitting saya. To think the owner himself would show such a dedication to individual orders is utterly amazing. The world needs more businessmen like Mr. Johnson.<br /><br />5/5 and a BIG thumbs up to the awesome customer service of Trueswords.

I recently bought this sword for my collection and it is amazing. The price for what you get is phenomenal. The blade is beautiful and the grip is nice and tight. Though I just use them for display, it is worth every cent I spent on it. If I were to start using them, I would not be disappointed.

This sword just came in the mail an hour ago! I'm giddy like a little school girl. Even though it should be called bamboo warrior, I named it Nash after my girlfriend. Because it's beautiful and willing to defend me if I need it. <br /><br />If you have been looking for a great sword at an affordable price your journey ends here. Every single part of it is made out of metal. The grip feels so great in my hands and doesn't have that shoelace type feel. It's smooth but firm. It's all really a work of art. The blade is razor sharp! It's so incredibly sharp. I feel no fear if someone were to come at me with a baseball bat or anything else besides a gun. I only own one other sword and it's a toy compared to this one. This sword has become my pride and joy. Nothing else that I own makes me this happy to have in my possession. I HIGHLY recommend this sword. Best $79.99 (with shipping and handling) I've ever spent. BUY IT NOWWW!

When I received this sword, I feel like it was very well presented with its box and sword bag. The first thing I reached for was the certificate of authenticity which is nice but I'll never pawn the sword.<br /><br />Speaking of which! -For my 80 bucks, what I got (as my first entry level katana) was very pleasant. The sword was quite a bit heftier than the rat tails and half tangs I kept around my room and it definitely had a solid feel to it. As far as sharpness-out-of-the-box it was extremely sharp at the boshi and the ha was semi sharp. Most people who do not understand how a katana works might complain about that but the boshi is the fastest part of the katana during your swing which should be one of the sharpest parts for maximum effectiveness (in my opinion anyway).<br /><br />Aesthetically, I found myself repeating "It was 80 dollars, it was 80 dollars." The Tsuba and the Kashiri have a light, almost plastic-like feel to them. It's probably just my imagination, though as the Tsuba is skeletal, structurally, and the Kashiri is on nice and tight so I could have just imagined how it felt. The Tsuka was very tightly wrapped, felt very good in my hands and I never felt ray skin before - I like that grippy sandpaper texture. <br /><br />The last couple points to hit are the Saya and the Habaki. The Saya feels thin, like it's made of balsa wood. I was scared about nicking or snapping it, but I was glad more of the money was spent on the functionality and aesthetics of the sword. The Habaki looks hastily stamped or machined. The Musashi and the China engravings are at very skewed angles. Does not bother me and I think it adds a little personality anyway but it is something to look out for when ordering.<br /><br />I definitely feel I received 80 dollars worth of sword, if not more. I do plan to keep my collection going. I would buy a musashi blade again. Giving a full rating because I got my money's worth.

yes this is perfect!! this katana is amazing and is the really deal i used it 6 times now and on several insidents i've went edge to edge and now only did this blade not nick or cause any damage to the blade it broke the other person sword in two. from now on i will only buy Musashi katanas. thanks again true swords

This entire 1060 series is inceredible for the price even if it were 4 times as much. It is obvious that Musashi is practically giving these fine swords away for now to get a large customer base. It is simply a matter of time before these swords go up in price (at least 300%), and still be more than competative in the current market.<br /><br /> The REAL hamon on these swords is the finest I have seen in a long time, even on other manufacturers $500 Plus swords.......truely amazing at any price point. They cut VERY well, and they are not just "light cutters" either. I cut full size totami omoto mats all the time and no dammages so far. The quality control is pretty good too. You just have to watch out for a few small scratches on the blade upon delivery sometimes, which can easily be removed with 6000 to 10,000 grit Japanese water stones (I fixed one myself).<br /><br /> The saya's are quite fine as well and fit good considering they are not each made personally for that exact blade......I am impressed. Same goes for the tsuka, very tight, sometimes with an ito shim, but not very often. <br /><br /> The furniture on these swords is very nice, mostly tactical in nature (all black), but with great detail and class. You just can't beat these swords! I am personally buying all 16 of them as an investment, PLUS another 16 for personal use and display.......great job Musashi, keep it up!

Beautiful piece and light weight. I will definitely be purchasing similiar swords.

The Musashi 1060 line is by far a best buy, other blades of this quality would go for at least triple. Nice balance. The sword sings as it cuts the air. A must have in any collection...

I've been anticipating the arrival of this sword from the very second that i ordered it. It just came to my door this morning and i felt like a freaking kid on Christmas. The box that it came in has a nice design on it, making the unboxing even more exciting. I open the box to find the sword wrapped in a decent black cotton bag along with its certificate of authenticity. I found myself breathless as I slowly removed the sword from its bag. This katana is a work of art. It felt so sturdy and solid as i held it in my hand, the handle itself was amazingly made and the cotton wrap was extremely tight. You don't even have to feel the ray skin to tell if it is real or not, this real ray skin has a very distinctive look to it, and you'll be able to tell. I noticed that a lot of people seem to complain about the cotton handle rapping feeling 'shoe lacy', when to me it felt extremely soft and comfortable in the hands. The blade itself was equally beautiful, especially when you see the real hamon in the light of the sun. <br /> I immediately felt the urge to test this baby out, so i went and filled up as many plastic bottles as i could find. This sword cut through it all like butter, I had a blast. The only reason i stopped was because i ran out of bottles! This sword is hands down AMAZING, especially at this price. If you're looking for a high quality katana for under $100, GET THIS.

Very good sword, full tang, razor sharp, real ray skin, beautiful blade. Great sword!

This sword is just amazing. I only have a small complaint with the Styrofoam packaging. Overall i would still give it a 10/10.

its beautiful, and weight is perfect, very well balanced.

This sword is pretty awesome. Definitely high quality and looks great. I haven't used it much yet, but I can tell it will be a lot of fun.

I can't believe I paid 80 bucks for this, really high quality for the money.

For 80 dollars, you are getting a great cutter. Everything is nice and tight. Excellent Same(ray), nice and tight Ito..just great.<br /><br />If bottles and milk jugs are your thing, this will do the job. Worth every penny.

Came in good time after order, excellent sword with excellent detail and craftsmanship. Razor sharp. A nice buy for my collection.

We are extremely pleased with the entire experience. The sword is excellent, very sharp, very solid. This is definitely not a flea market quality sword. <br /><br />Shipping was very fast, I plan on ordering again very soon.

thank you true swords! My order was shipped on the 4th of July. the katana is evrything i hoped for, very clean blade all the fittings were tight.

Came in perfect condition. Nothing at all was loose. Cuts very clean - best katana on the market for this price.<br /><br />Delivered very fast as well.<br /><br /><br />perfect sword for it's price. <br /><br />True swords has gained a new long time buyer

This sword was really great, its a durable, battle-ready sword for a cheap price. The blade is really tough, and the fittings are excellent. I really liked it and I think that it is a great, durable sword that is totally worth the money.

this was one of my fav swords definitly worth alot more money that 80 bucks ((i say was cuase my idiot freind broke mine prbly gonna buy another lol))

I have trained with this sword almost every day for about three months. I remained stunned when comparing the quality and function of the sword with its price. Nothing has come loose after a lot of action. The blade was very sharp on arrival. The balance and feel of the sword is wonderful. I'm still trying to figure out how this sort of quality fit into the low price at which it was made available. I give the sword a 9.5 out of 10. Furthermore, True Swords is truly the company to deal with given their fine care of their clients.

Awesome sword, beautiful Hamon, nice & sharp, fells very solid with nothing loose, & fits nicely into the saya.<br />It's a must buy! <br /><br />Thank You trueswords!

This is my first katana ever and first purchase from Trueswords and I am incredibly happy with it. Before making this purchase I was searching the web for what to look for and what not to look for and everyone seemed to say that this katana was 2-3 times underpriced for it's quality. And I honestly have to agree with them.<br />5/5<br />Shipping was fast even though they fedex delivered it to the wrong address. It was only a 10 minute walk so I didn't mind.<br />When I took it out it was truly a beauty and nothing was wrong with anything. <br />Sadly I accidently hit a rock while cutting today and not it has a battle scar. Surprisingly however, the blade took almost no damage from it. Minor scratches on one side, blackened marks on the other and some minor microchipping. The blade was still very sharp. <br /><br />Quite amazing.<br /><br />My advice. If you have money. But it... Now.

Just got it today and it was perfect - thanks!

way better that I expected..<br />I love the sword and the craftmanship..<br />I highly recommend it...

Was a little sceptical at first but figured i'll give ita shot.<br />When i propped up the box and was able to chop it in 5 pieces without ripping it i was very impressed, great blade great value.thanks trueswords

I bought this sword for my girlfriend. And true swords delivered with flying colors took three days to get to me. All the fittings are more than secure and the blade is razor sharp(used the paper test) . Thank you true swords my girl is going to be very happy with this and you have a costumer for life.

really cool sword it is every thing i could of hoped for it to be and more

The shipping is lighting fast. Got to my house fast. The sword itself is sharp as hell and has a great feel to it. Glad I bought this!

would expect nothing less from a musashi blade, nothing about this sword is flawed, lightweight and well balanced althon on well folded carbon steel blades ur able to bend them and they will spring back into place i dont recomend doing that with this blade,<br /><br />came sharp and the quality and detail of the gaurd was awsome<br /><br />i was expecting a thicker grip on the handle but not a downside by any means<br /><br />5/5 for quality vs price

Absolutely beautiful. Very happy with purchase. Exactly as advertised

This is my first Samurai Sword i've owned. I read all the reviews about it before making a decision and have to say that I am really pleased with this sword. Not having any prior knowledge of what to look for as far as quality and craftmanship I was at a loss. With a little research from various websites and the reviews posted on True Swords my decision was good. The sword is what I expected plus some. Everything was tight and well made for a sword at this price. You can't go wrong with this one. True Swords is very fast at shipping out your merchandise, I received my sword within 3 days. Purchased on Wednesday night and had it on my doorstep by noon Saturday. Im very happy with the overall experience and service provided by True Swords. I will order again from these guys. If you have any doubts about this sword read the reviews and make the purchase you will not be sorry. Thank you True Swords for providing a good quality sword that looks good as a decorative sword and is durable to use as a light to medium cutter at such a good price point.

This sword arrived very quickly and came razor sharp! It is a beautiful sword and i am sure you will love it. If you are not sure what sword to get, you cannot go wrong with this one! Get it!

.....I greatly wan't to thank Evan for contacting Me and assisting me in my order of this sword! I am amazed that the Company owner himself would take the time to talk to a customer about a single order like mine...I look forward to the mail in the next couple of days thanks again............Say Bum Jacques Navarre<br /> Dae Han Soo Bac Doo Muu Duc Kwan <br /> Tang Soo Doo-:Sylist<br /> Master Henery Fuentis 4/Dan

WOW!!! this sword is beautiful everything is tight no lose fittings. I would have paid twice as much for this. Hamon is real not some wire brushed junk. Feels amazing in your hands you can definitely tell this is a well made sword.

bought the sword not long ago, very good quality, Sharp and well built. gonna plan to get another one. must buy for the value.

This is my second Katana, and it is nothing short than a masterpiece. I can't even describe how sharp this sword is, when they say 'battle ready', they weren't kidding. Cut through 2 huge, thick laundry detergent containers with one strike with almost no effort. <br /><br />The craftsmanship is just impeccable. There are plenty of other reviews going in detail, I'm using this more as a testament to those. <br /><br />This sword is the real deal, if you want a phenomenal, fully functional Katana, $80? Skip the cell phone bill and buy this if you have to. This sword is a masterpiece!!

I doubt you can get a better sword for the money. It's sharp and the quality is excellent. Very good for a beginner sword but a dull sword should still be used to practice with for beginners.

beautiful sword! Absolutely no defects at all. Solid construction, very sharp. Great for a display model or use. Im definately coming back to order again!

I just received this sword and it is by far my favorite that I have over owned. I have read reviews of people saying that it bends when I try to cut through tree branches and pieces of wood. You should never do that with any katana be it $79.99 or $7999.99 it is not what the sword is designed for. This sword else well constructed and made of high quality materials that you would normally pay a much higher price for. I purchased a cheap katana from another site for 39.99 that was not full tang, 440 stainless, and not sharped the piece is display only and this sword is 10x more beautiful + full functional for only 40 dollars more. A great buy!

two words FREAKIN AWESOME!, They really out did themselves there are no problems with the blade or anything at that matter, and you cant beat the customer service, also wicked sharp.

A terrifyingly real weapon. From the unboxing, this sword is absolutely gorgeous. The black lacquer saya makes it's own statement, with a definite simple elegance. This blade will demand respect and caution, or it will cause injury. It creates a feeling of power when gripping the comfortable and perfectly balanced tsuka. Test cutting has produced artfully clean results, with no thought of "will this thing fall apart while I swing it?". The fittings are rock-solid, and aesthetically pleasing. i am looking at this weapon on my wall right now, and I can say it will be a treasured piece for a very long time. Thank you for this weapon, I will cherish (and respect) it for many years.

I purchased this sword back on 12/08, back then it was more expensive and didn't have cirtificate that came with later models. But let me tell you this sword was designed by sam sung just like the more expensive models and as far as I can see and feel It's as good as some of my much more costly swords out there in the 3 and 4 hundred dollar range. So if you own one consider yourself lucky. I am fond of the 1060 swords for overall performance at a good price point but the attention to detail and fit was astonishing to say the least.But kudos has to go to the blade which passed all my cutting test as well as durability. jugs, bottles and tammishgiri. They rate this sword as a light to med. cutter and I agree as mine hasn't chipped yet and passes the 45% test on return. That is a real clay tempered hamon and passed an hrc 55 test for hardness. Like I said before mine didn't come with certificate but it bears the musashi and sam sung marks. But even if it didn't a good sword is a good sword! And this one would be a good deal at 300.00. Get them while you can, you never know when they will end production in this economy. This is every bit a true sword not a toy, so be careful and be aware of your surrondings at all times. Happy cutting!

Awesome sword man... right wen i opened it i sliced the box up and a couple water bottles... i was destroying everything... *Zombies will Be Destroyed* Shipping was great too... im hii

very impressive wonderful blade. a beautiful sword I would have expected to pay 3 times the price for a sword of this quaility.

when i opened the box i saw the most beautifulist sword i have ever seen and man it was sharp and its still sharp i love it. It's way better than a 440 stainless steel blade, i hope i can cut a 2 liter bottle like i've seen done on youtube. Thank you TRUESWORDS i am so happy.

very nice katana and very sharp,nicely made for the price you cant beat it. I bought the blue also for my son and they are all very good.

This blade is one of the first that I have bought that satisfied straight from the box. This weapon is far from a sparing... Straight from the box and razor sharp. the wieght distribution, size and craftsmanship is amazing for the price paid for it. Very good rating and will definatly buy again.

The 5 Points of this Wonderful Sword<br /><br />1. The Bamboo Themed Tsuba, Kashira, Menuki and Fuchi are wonderful and well put together. 2. The Tsuka-Ito wrap is tight, with no defects. 3. The blade has a real and strikingly beautiful Hamon. 4. It's a Musashi sword, and that says quality. 5. It's $79.99<br /><br />If you want a light backyard cutter, or a lighter blade for Iaido or even as a collector peice then I would definitly recommend this Katana. It comes paper cutting sharp out of the box and is good for test cutting. I want to thank both TrueSwords.com (Who has the fastest shipping I've ever seen: Three and a half days, and who sells this wonderful sword) and Musashi, who built this sword; it's a wonderful investment.

wow its super light and its sharp shipping did take a while from georgia to washinton (7 days) but its well worth it. No damage anywhere its a must buy

This sword is of the highest caliber, my only complaint is that it is difficult to see the hamon but other than that this sword is godly.<br /><br />I can swing the sword without fear the blade will become a sharded projectile, i probably got too into it and effortlessly cut a hole in my carpet.

I received my package with both the Bamboo Warrior and a Build A Katana kit. The Bamboo Warrior is a wonderful blade. It is well balanced, definitely very pure steel blade. The hilt was very tightly fit to the tang and took some work to get it off for initial cleaning and proper oiling, which is actually a very good thing. The Tsuba needed slight fitting to make it mate with the tang just right, but that is my own little quirk. On a test with four inch thick foam board covered with sixteenth inch cardboard on each side, a twenty four inch slice was made clean by the two inch section between two inches back of the point and six inches back of the blade. That is the part that is used most for Katana work in real life situations. The finish on the Saya is absolutely beautiful. All in all, I am very pleased with this Katana and will purchase from TrusSwords again. <br /><br />Now, the Build a Katana Kit looks good. They will send me a replacement. Not their fault. FedEx threw the box over my fence and when it hit the cement driveway the point of the Katana [blade] in the kit pierced the box and the tip was bent at a ninety degree angle. Shame on FedEx for treating a Katana with disrespect. BLESS TrueSwords [Evan I believe I spoke to on the phone] for simply saying, "We will send you a new kit and you can return the other one. We will tell FedEx not to throw this one." They provide excellent service at TrueSwords. <br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />MGS

I just received the sword only after 4 days of waiting...not bad. Upon inspection nothing was found wrong. The blade was very sharp, and the sword itself was very impressive. I will defiantly come back to True Swords for future purchase. Get this sword...you wont regret it.

I must say this is the best sword I have ever owned. It's incredibly light, sharp, beautiful, and well balanced. It cut down about a dozen 1 1/2 inch bamboo stalks with no problem! (practically unheard of for a sword in this price range) When I went to clean and inspect the blade after cutting I was amazed that it had absolutely no chips or dings; not even a scratch! I now use it in my Iaido class and even the instructor was impressed by it's quality. If you have the money, BUY IT! You won't be disappointed.

bought this sword a couple of months ago i teach iaido so i use it all the time.. the sword is very well put together looks great and cuts well with great balance .. im not sure why its so cheap but i love this thing thanks true swords

Love this produckt is great and all came sharp but i wanted it sharper so i honed on it with a barber strap for a few hours and a jade rock Its blade was fantastic the handle was paper thin and in work outs and practice i noticed the tusba came lose and the blade had got some play so i custom rebullt the sword and also made it custem to my draw length and more now its sharp enough the tip can cut sand stone and the blade will take a tree down 4 inches or more think and slice in two 6 to 7 inch braided branches i give this sword hi rates cuse with a little more work came out to be the best sword i have ever owned even out cuts outher swords every one i had bought on here and i plan on doing more busness with you but id wish some the blades you all had on here was cusetm to my draw . that is 25 1/2 inch on the blade alone but like i sayed after some work adding extria sippas and reconstructed the handle this is one the best swords on the market for the price thank you all and im still doing busness with you all best baldes i think on the market.

First, this sword was delivered very quickly and on schedule, though the anticipation during the two day wait drove me insane.<br /><br />Secondly, this sword is BEAUTIFUL, the tsuba and the HAMMON is not only stunning it is real.<br /><br />Within minutes I had water bottles and boxes ready, buddy bottles, full bottles and the fed-ex box proved NO PROBLEM. My female friend used her soft-ball swing to cut through the box like butter.<br /><br />I have used cheap swords in the past to "cut" bottles, usually the bottle would be sent flying and when I did get a cut, I had to swing like a lumberjack.<br /><br />The Musashi is effortless cutting, smooth and precise.<br /><br />I bent the blade 45 degrees and it in fact returned to its normal position without ANY damage.<br /><br />This is a WONDERFUL purchase and a great choice for any new member of United Backyard Cutters.

An absolutely beautiful and ninja warrior looking blade. A masterpiece. I recommend this to anyone, the blade is razor sharp, the sheath is incredibly nice and flawless. An amazing steal for the price. Shipping was perfect along with the item. Couldn't possibly be more pleased.

Wow... I'm usually great at writing, but honestly I'm a little speachless.<br /><br />1st,<br /> I'm flabergasted at the quality at this bargan priced Katana. Honestly, it is a true work of art, done correctly, and with a proper clay temper on the Ha. Each one of these will be unique. There was a copious ammount of oil on the blade, but it's welcomed by me, as I'm assured there would be no rust on the steel especially during the rainy season here. And the edge on this sword is in fact razor SHARP! Make no mistake about that...<br /><br />2nd,<br /> There was a wicked mix up in shipping from Fed Ex as the sword went from Georgia, to California, to Tennessee, before finally making it to Coastal Maine. Doing what I call the "Great American Tour". Frustrating of course, but I'm aware it can happen to anyone if the stars align properly. However the absolute highlight besides the sword, was the on the spot awesome customer service rendered by Evan at True Swords. I don't know if he gets his email by way of blackberry or what, but I emailed him about the issue on a weekend, at night, and he got right back to me and did some digging into Fed Ex and got it back on track. Thank you!<br /><br />I will indeed shop here again. Service and quality live here.

Fantastic sword. The hamon on it is more beautiful then pictures can capture due to different appearances at different angles. The one I got balances at exactly 4 and a half inches from the base of the blade. I would suggest that you also order a katana cleaning/polishing kit at the same time since I had to pay 3 times more then Trueswords charges at my local shop for one.

I received my bamboo warrior sword 2 weeks ago and have put it through a few cutting tests. I cut several water jugs with absolute ease and even the unforgiving pool noodles were sliced without even the slightest hint of the blade grabbing or pushing through the foam. This blade slices cleanly through all of the test subjects I have put in front of it. I do not have access to tatami mats otherwise I would test this blade on those but I have no doubt it would slice through un-phased.<br /><br />As for the blade itself it is beautiful. The hamon is 100% real. I confirmed this when I was polishing out a few small scratches the blade received when slicing water bottles and after polishing the scratches out with fine sandpaper and steel wool the hamon was still there and looked the same as the rest of the blade. This is about as real as you can get for under 100 dollars. GO FOR IT!! You will not be disappointed.

this is a VERY nice sword for the price!

I had been looking at this Sword for a while but could not see how it could be real for the asking price. After reading about it in sword buyers guide I ordered it, still skeptical and not expecting to like it..........I was WRONG!<br /> I am now unexpectedly Blown Away! <br /> This thing is solid as a rock and dangerously sharp out of the box. Slices free hanging paper like a lazer! <br /> I'm not into beauty in a weapon but it is just as it appears in the picture and the Hamon is really cool. This is my 1st sword with a real one not acid etched. I had planned to spend 3 times as much before I bought this one. I've been around for a long time and a real bargain rarely comes along like this.<br /> I give it a 5 out of 5!

this sword is absolutely kick ass in every way. the artistic point of it matches the sheer brutal look of it. like the old saying, even the most beautiful rose has its thorns. if you buy this sword, be sure to take very good care of it! sharpen, polish, etc. i was extremely surprised when i cut through a watermelon after my first sharpening. this thing means BUSINESS, no doubt. lol so good looking its almost a shame to have blood stain it one day. again, awesome buy. thanks TS

Superb!!! - overall quality is top notch and easily worth 3 times the price - lightning fast shipment - arrived the next day - lets just say that I will be a repeat customer here - this isnt a toy - this baby is real and could take an arm off with ease - be careful

This is the blade to display out of scabbard. The hamon is clear and artful- somewhat resembling mountains on mine. A beautiful example of a real clay tempered blade, usually not to be found for $200 plus. When these are sold out and history, I imagine they will be referred to as "legendary."<br />The nicely done basic fittings and wrap make this an ideal sword to customize, and the gracefully curved blade collar does not carry the large "Musashi" stamp found on most. Yes, it shaved paper. Comes with pedigree. Excellent value.

BETTER THAN ADVERTISED! I was blown away when I opened the package and every detail down to the certificate just amazed me

Quick shipping, a truly beautiful sword with a clearly visible hamon. For the price range, probably the best sword available. Not exactly razor sharp, but has a fine cutting edge. I was very impressed upon just swinging it once.

My first sword! May09 Sword Buyers Digest recommended this as a steal at this price and they were right! Packaging was good and the blade was easily removed from the habaki and was well oiled. Because of the price and quality - I may order one more to play with.

Absolutely gorgeous! Superb look and feel from point to pommel. <br /><br />Well worth the price.

The Bamboo Warrior is hands down one of the best Musashi swords out there, the hamon is true as far as I can tell, (I haven't tried to polish it out yet)... and the blade is straight with a decent polish, not mirrored but close. The ito is cotton and is wrapped very tight. The habaki has a great fit and is not difficult to remove like most "budget" katanas. The kissaki is well done but the yokote is cosmetic.(That's expected for swords of this price range I suppose) The tsuba is made from steel and looks nice, but the fuchi and kashira are of lower quality... they serve their purpose though. This katana has really fast handling at 2.1lbs, it's got that "sports car" feel. The only downsides I can think of is that the blade is a little on the thin side and the tsuka is slimmer than most... the tsuka does have a nice hourglass(rikko) shape. With that said, all the fittings are nice and tight and the blade cuts well with a nice looking hamon. This katana is a steal for the price, I had to have two of them.

This sword is truly a bargain in every sense. You simply can't do better at this price point. That being said, don't expect a mirror finish on the blade and be prepared to buy a sword bag (the one it comes with is something akin to burlap). I bought a Musashi Bamboo Warrior and a Musashi Best Miyamoto at the same time. Both are very solid swords of basically the same construction. The only major differences are the hand guards, pommel caps and handle ornaments. The ornaments on the Bamboo are thicker than the ones on the Miyamoto and actually affect your grip on the handle (if you have small hands, go for the Miyamoto). The blade collar of my Best Miyamoto is stamped with the Musashi emblem where as the collar of my Bamboo Warrior is blank. I wouldn’t promise this to be true of any one particular sword because of their similar construction, but that’s how mine arrived. I would nearly guarantee that you will be surprised at the craftsmanship and detail put into this inexpensive katana. It is, in fact, a True Sword at an excellent price. Grab one quick before the manufacture realizes they can sell these swords at twice the price

the best musashi sword ever for the price!! the hamon is 100% real, no wirebrush or acid hamon at all on this one. i wish more musashi swords or any swords in fact comes with real hamons like these swords. cuts tatami mats like butter, buy it now!!!!

I just received this sword today, and let me say I am thoroughly pleased. The sword arrived in perfect condition and in record time, less than 48 hours! The blade is beautiful with an awesome natural hamon, all furniture and fittings look good and are nice and tight. This sword is perfectly balanced, and produces a nice tachi-kaze when swung. I already own five Musashi swords (all purchased from True Swords) and think they have a great cost to quality ratio. This sword is an absolute steal at this price! Real hamon? $79.99? SOLD!!! I'll be getting that "Best Miyomoto Sword" next too! Great Sword.

Spotty sharpening but good for the pricepoint. Thanks again, Jessica P

This is it ladies and germs, a REAL sword. It IS 1060 steel, the hamon IS real, quality IS great (for the price) but don't buy it unless you can sharpen it. If does NOT come "razor sharp," or even "sharp." Otherwise once sharpened it is a great price for a real katana. I'll go so far as to recommend it, but only for a serious collector.

Nice look, very nice backstory one of my top picks

Very nice sword for $100! Well put together, double pegged, full tang, no rattling, tight Ito....etc. I'm sorry but I have to laugh at a few people. The kid who said "after watching videos with REAL Japanese people in it, he was cutting things WELL beyond what this sword is "rated" for." Sorry but this sword has no "rating" on it Hahahaha. Then the fool who says he has a 9260 steel Cheness katana that is beat out by this $100 1060 katana! WTF??!! Dude, send me your "subpar" Cheness katana and I will GLADLY GIVE you my copy of this sword for free!! Idiot. There's always one or two who write such uneducated, foolish, "reviews." *sigh* Anywho, like I was saying. For $100 this is as close to having a $200-$250 sword as you are going to get. I would recommend buying one, and I am pretty dang picky when it comes to my sword collection and what goes in it. Cheers.

it cuts great no problems yet worth it

Just received my sword today and was very excited to open the box, first thing i noticed was how solid the sword felt in my hands, very well put together, all of the fittings were nice and tight. The blade was very sharp out of the box and the hamon looked excellent! Cuts through targets with ease. By far the best sword in this price range.

Although I was out of town for a couple of days as the katana arrived at my house, upon arriving, it was mostly worth the wait. Upon first glance, the ito wrap was very tight. Purists would also note that the ito is done in the traditional alternating manner. There was some white, flaky substance on a couple spots on the tsuba, but they were easily flaked off, leaving no trace behind. The tsuba is indeed iron as advertised, and a simple magnet will confirm this. The fuchi and kashira are blackened brass, and done good enough. However, while the ito is indeed rock solid, the diamonds formed by the wrap are quite uneven in spots, and while they are aesthetically very unpleasing, they don't affect the structural integrity of the katana. The samegawa is of average quality, though at least it is real. However, where the upper bamboo pin comes out on one side, the same isn't trimmed well, and is pushed up and away from the pin. The katana blade has more niku to it than I expected it to, much more than my Musashi 1060 Speckled Burgundy Katana. The polish is decent enough to see the hamon, but is nothing exceptional. The hamon in question has little play, although appears to be closer to a choji type hamon, as it is quite deep into the ji. Although the kissaki is cheaply counter polished in an untraditional shape, there is visible boshi. The saya is the standard thick black gloss, and is wrapped in crappy black cotton sageo. However, the saya is actually quite nice, as the lacquer is smooth, even, has no bubble spots, chips, or cracks. Overall, I would hive this katana a 7.5/10, as while I still got an excellent katana for my money, it wasn't quite as nice as I was hoping it would be. I would recommend this Katana for anyone who is looking for a good katana to start their collection, or anyone who wants a decent quality, yet relatively cheap backyard cutter. :D

Here is a rather detailed review of the sword. Before I start let me tell you one thing. For the price, this katana is absolutely gorgeous.<br />Now lets look at the katana. One thing you should know it's that the saya is not the best quality and the wood used for it is...rather bad. But this means that the money was used mostly for the katana itself, which is what you want. although I was dissapointed to know that the katana was forged using a muku-kitae style (otherwise known as the maru-kitae style (most cheapest way to forge a katana), meaning that it is made from only one material...which is considerably weak when it faces a true katana forged using a 7 fold method (don't get me wrong, this katana is very strong)). The flexibility of the nagasa (the blade part) is moderate (just don't go around and use it to do pull ups with it). the hamon on the blade is a real clay tempered side effect, which its good to know. In general the nagasa is a high quality for the price. <br />the tsuba is brass painted black, ray skin is real, but not a considerably high quality. The suka (the handle part) is generally good throughout, most likely wrapped with cotton based material, and it is double pegged.<br />Unfortunately, I have to rate this a 4 star instead of a possible 5 because the katana I received had a small problem with the habaki, where one side had a gap. I am slightly worried to practice with it, fearing that the blade might be loose, (not that I can cut anything with it as it came rather dull). Hopefully it won't be too much of a problem, and its just my paranoia.<br />In conclusion, I would recommend this katana for those wanting to get their first sword, or to practice with it (don't cut wood with it, stick with bottles and peices of meat or bamboo if you're skilled enough), or for display purposes. Hell, if you're getting this for display, then why are you reading this? :) <br />Thank you trueswords for a friendly customer service and for selling me the best sword for the price. I will buy from you again.

Nice sword, <br /><br />Very fast delivery, <br /><br />Happy transaction

As other reviews may mention, the blade is gorgeous. By no means a hardcore collector, but I recognize quality when I see it. Hamon is real. Lost one star only because of the "shoe-lacey" feeling tsuka (hilt.) <br />Razor sharp. Must have for this price point.

At first I thought I was sent the wrong sword the temper is so good it looks stainless. The Hamon is real and for less than $100 its far worth it. My only complaint would be the Saya is so so, and mine was scuffed. But in shipping and stuff it happens but the sword is exactly as stated.

4/5 rating.<br />Got this sword a few days ago, I am impressed overall, not so impressed with the waves near the edge, but that's completely preference based. Don't get me wrong, this sword is truly beautiful. The guard on it looks very, very well made, not some cheap flat disc that was laser cut into a shape or design. Looks like they actually took time to make it and put fine details in it. At first, when I first saw the grip in the picture, I thought it's be some flimsy cotton/gauze like material. But, in fact, it's almost as if you mixed leather with cotton, it feels really nice. You can hold it confidently without worry about it tearing.<br />The sheathe/hamon (if that is the correct word) seems to be of great quality as well. Basically, all the cosmetics on this sword appears to be great. Doesn't look like they took any short cuts.<br /><br />Now, for performance. Blade's balance point is about 5-6 inches from the handle to the blade, if I remember correctly. Blade was heavier than I thought, but that's not bad. One thing, biggest part of this sword I hate, and truly despise.. is be careful when you hit something hard, including wood, this blade bends easily. Though, they say you can bend it in a 45 degree angle, you CAN cause permanent bends if you strike something at the wrong angle! As in, you will have to bend it back straight. My blade looks warped in many locations due to be cutting branches off of a tree. I hit a branch about 1'' thick and it bent the blade. Though, I have attempted to bend it back perfectly straight, it still has curves on it's spine where the injury is at. Though, it isn't the sword's fault, it is the owner's when the sword strikes something at a poor angle.<br />But the good news is, the blade remained sharp the whole time. The edge can take an abuse it seems, just the blade itself, is prone to have bends/curves when abused. <br />I've also slashed a water jug in half, a few times, it goes straight through w/o the jug even moving. My mom was even capable of doing it and she's only about 100 lbs.<br />Also, if you angle the sword just right at the sun, you can make it glare in someone's eyes, blinding them. (Not literally, more of an annoyance.)<br />Over all, this sword is still beautiful, despite it's battle scars, and is my first Katana, I plan to buy more later down the road. It's not a bad katana at all, just treat it well, and learn how to swing the sword in the appropriate angle before actually attempting it with a solid object. Hopefully, this will keep the blade straight.<br />I don't regret buying it, though I am worried about metal fatigue after awhile.

I've had this sword for about 2 months now and I am very amazed by it. Extremely well built and dangerous (as it should be). However, I've put it through a few not so rigorous tests and i was disappointed...Just after a few swings at a 4 inch oak tree a the sword became severely bent and i had to bend it back into place...Though i must give it to the makers of this fine blade, it can retain an edge! Since then, I've taken the time to beat it repeatedly and just like my Russian Sapirka, it can not be beat when it comes to keeping its edge. I love the sword in every aspect, except the part of it being bent. I do recommend this dangerous sword to people with training on blades only. A person who doesn't respect a weapons danger can easily (and accidentally) can become its victim.

5/14/2009<br />Considering the cost this sword ($80) is quite well made.<br />Disassembled for further inspection and I have to say I am quite satisfied with the construction of this sword. <br /><br />The habaki fit was a little loose, and it had been seated with a resin material to tighten it up. Cleaned and replaced with small oak chips. The tsuka is well made and solid with two bamboo pegs holding it in.<br /><br />The blade is very well made but mine is a tad on the dull side, it would not cut the shipping box it came in (5 tries). Nothing an afternoon of sharpening with the kit can't fix.<br /><br />In consideration of the low cost i'll give it a 4. It is not perfect but with a little work its an awesome piece that didn't kill the wallet.<br />(Package is sword only, you will need a maintenance kit and sharpening kit)

This is a great sword for the price point!... It appears to be hand forged as I can see very slight waves along the spine. But the blade is straight and aligns with the handle. Everything is tight. No rattles. There are two things I'm disapointed about... 1.) the blade is not evenly sharpened. Some sections sharper than others. Last 3 inches near tsuba are smooth and. Rolled over. 2.) There appears to be sandpaper scrathes. In the middle of the blade. Anyways, I will keep it.

Well for starters trueswords is an amazing company. They strive to put the customer first and with my experience that's exactly what they did. I orderd my first bamboo warrior And I received it in 3 days upon placing the order. Upon inspection I realized the handle was cracked, I contacted trueswords and they immediately addressed the problem and replaced my order. I'm pleased with my new sword but there is a slight rattle in its handle. I'm afraid to disassemble it in the fear that this handle is also crap lol. Short story, trueswords is an amazing company to associate with but with my experience musashi handles/tsukas are cheaply made....the blades are amazing! For the price you get what you pay for :) which is the blade, nothing else.

im a long times sword collector (mostly euro blades) and i have always been kinda of overwhelmed by the prices japanese blades because there are so many of them...and the mostly all look the same....<br />anyway i rate this katana 3/5 because it is a very nice sword, a little light and blade is kinda of soft, and if you spend an extra $300 you can find better.... but for $90 this is the most amazing sword i have ever seen 10/5 based on its price range. teh fittings are kinda of dull but with a little work you can make its beautiful, the F&K and menuki are made from brass and it you lightly sand them you can really highlight the bamboo. my only complaint is the tsuba is iron so if you highlight the fittings they dont all really match.<br /><br />anyway this is an amazing katana and totally worth the money. im going to order another bamboo and mantis

For the record, I'm rather skeptical when it comes to blades. The few I've bought in my life did not exactly live up to my expectations, especially considering the price they went for. This 1060 carbon steel blade, however, has proven quite functional and durable. As a shyotokan weapons practitioner, I hold every confidence that this blade would survive its first two or three real battles. Don't expect to cut through a solid, dried-out tree trunk with it, but don't be surprised when you can neatly slice off living branches with diameters of up to 1 inch, either. It came in the mail exactly as I hoped it would, and looks beautiful, considering that it was designed primarily as a weapon, and I am more or less satisfied with its performance. This is a REAL weapon, and will cut through flesh with brutal efficiency if you try. I don't recommend using this as a toy of any sort. If you're looking for LARP props, look for something else; otherwise, you'll just end up killing someone.