CAS Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - CAS Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi

Posted: 3/21/2012 4:54:58 PM EDT

I got me a new zombie chopper.

Today I received a Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi from Knifecenter.com. (Manufacturer's page with pics.) I took a few pics of my sword tonight with my iPhone, I need to take some more under better lighting conditions. Anyway, this is my sword:

Weight is 1 lb. 14 oz. and an OAL of 31". It handles well even with one hand. There is plenty of room on the 8.5" long hilt (tsuka) for both hands, however. The 20" blade is made from 5160 spring steel with a single fuller (bo-hi) on each side. AIUI, the blade is through-hardened. Unlike most Japanese style swords, it has a full tang, with scales riveted to it. The scales are made from kraton, a hard rubber/plastic material. They are well fitted to the tang. Not shown in the pics on Hanwei's website is the paracord lanyard that is run through the last hole in the hilt.

The blade is moderately sharp, but you could probably still decapitate a zombie with it.

The guard (tsuba) is made from a blackened, non-magnetic metal.

The habaki (brass part which circles the blade near the hilt) and which serves to help retain the tsuba is not polished all that well. Other than that the sword is nicely finished. In particular, the bo-hi has a mirror polish.

The scabbard (saya) is made from fiberglass and holds the sword well. There is a slight rattle if you shake it, but the mouth of the scabbard grips the habaki securely. The tip of the saya has a drain hole. The saya has a partial wrap made from paracord, with loops, to allow you to attach it to a pack or belt for carrying.

After looking at a variety of swords including several gladii, falcatas, and kopises (kopii?), and reading many reviews, I went with the Hanwei Tac Wak. I agree that "tactical" is overplayed as a marketing term, and I can't think of too many tactical situations in which I'd be better off with a sword of any kind than a gun. OTH, if one was in an environment where guns weren't permitted, I think you could do a lot worse for defense than a good sword.

And of course, except for the zombpocalypse after running out of ammo.

Posted: 3/21/2012 6:26:54 PM EDT

[#1]

Pretty cool butim kind of partial to the zombie tools blades....

Posted: 3/21/2012 6:31:36 PM EDT

[#2]

NIce

Posted: 3/22/2012 10:58:48 AM EDT

[#3]

Nice blade...also I really like the blanket. Nice colors.

Posted: 3/22/2012 2:21:32 PM EDT

[#4]

No tape?

Posted: 3/22/2012 3:05:50 PM EDT

[#5]

I like it.

Posted: 3/22/2012 3:30:36 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

No tape?

Is not Halal sword.

Posted: 3/22/2012 8:13:30 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No tape?

Is not Halal sword.

Pretty sure that was a reference to this fantastic gem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb3UobSZl34

The kid in this vid makes me so mad...
"It's tape!"

Posted: 3/23/2012 6:01:38 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:

No tape?

Is not Halal sword.

Pretty sure that was a reference to this fantastic gem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb3UobSZl34

The kid in this vid makes me so mad...

"It's tape!"

I realized that after I replied. I was thinking of Paki tape.

Still not Halal!

Posted: 3/23/2012 6:08:27 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Pretty cool butim kind of partial to the zombie tools blades....

Haha those are sweet! I like the apakatana, but for that money I'd buy a cold steel warrior katana.

Posted: 3/23/2012 6:15:18 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No tape?

Is not Halal sword.

Pretty sure that was a reference to this fantastic gem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb3UobSZl34

The kid in this vid makes me so mad...
"It's tape!"

I realized that after I replied. I was thinking of Paki tape.

Still not Halal!

Posted: 3/24/2012 8:39:40 AM EDT

[#11]

very nice eh.

Posted: 3/26/2012 12:22:30 AM EDT

[#12]

I like them but for a waki I want the total length to be 24 to max 26 inches not 31...makes a difference indoors.

I like that they guy opened the box (not very well) with scissors....

Posted: 3/29/2012 5:32:16 PM EDT

[#13]

You WAY overpaid. $135 at Kult of Atheana Cool sword though

ETA, saw that that was the man. page and was MSRP. Anyway its a cool sword.

Posted: 3/29/2012 5:48:55 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Pretty cool butim kind of partial to the zombie tools blades....

Haha those are sweet! I like the apakatana, but for that money I'd buy a cold steel warrior katana.

The ZT blades don't have a good reputation if you google the reviews from users, and not by the ZT videos from their website. I was prepared to spend the money on a d'Capitan but read a few reviews that stated the blades were breaking.