Cloudhammer Steelworks (Byzer) $530 Katana Review and Destruction

This is a review of a Byzer katana. (Now Cloudhammer Steelworks)
You can see info about their products here - www.byzer.net/n...
The facebook site also works - www.facebook.c...
The site needs a bit of work but it should get you to some contact information. This sword was sent to me for review.
Notes:
Took the most punishment of any sword I have tested (with my current methods) so far.
The ito is made of a leather material I am not familiar with but feels comfortable. It was also tight (mostly) and stayed that way for the duration of my usage and testing. The sword was a comfortable tool for iaido as well though I would not say the fit and finish was anything special.
The sword held up very well to abuse, edge retention was OK, better than some through hardened blades but not as good as some other differentially hardened blades. That said, it took more shock and abuse to destroy the blade than any sword I have broken using my current method. The only one that stands out in my mind as similar is the ronin dojo pro, but it has been many years since I have tested one and I am more efficient at braking them now. As it is, this takes a special level of abuse to break and is at the top of the game in durability for a $500ish sword. The sword is stated to be made of S7 steel, which can be made to withstand a lot of punishment. I can never tell what something is made from but this sword held up better than others have.
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.75”
Blade/Nagasa Length: 27.5” (without habaki)
Total: 39.25”
Sori: .49”
Moto-haba: 1.23”
Saki-haba: .30”
Motokasane: .98”
Sakikasane: .18”
Weight: 2lb 5.6oz
POB: ” 5.25” from tsuba
HRC: Between 50-55 - No bite on 50, some on the 55 file
MSRP: $530
Music provided by - Kevin MacLeod incompetech.com
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Link to the KZbin Membership spot - / @matthew_jensen
Link to my eBay sales page - www.ebay.com/us...

[@Perkeletricksterservantofrher]

favorite sword youtuber so far. nothing cringe or flashy and just thorough enthusiastic efficient testing

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Glad you like the videos. Hope it was helpful.

[@jeremiahsmith7924]

Yes, I learn more from Matt's videos than anyone else's, even Mr. Clean Matt (Easton)

[@vicnighthorse]

I appreciate this video very much. I was interested in such testing of a Cloudhammer s7 and or s5 sword. So far I have only seen Shad/Tyranth's abuse of one. Again, thanks.

[@robcarnaroli269]

Great Review! Love the random happenings in the background. Just a samurai in the woods as a riding mover goes by....

[@Matthew_Jensen]

My neighbors are used to it.

[@kennethg9277]

You are a pro at this reviewing business, sir

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@broadwayjoe573]

Excellent review! I am rewatching this after the recent S5 destruction test.

[@erichusayn]

Really good video. That blade took a lot to break. Been waiting for this one since that sneak peek you gave us a while back. Very interesting. After seeing this video, if I had $530+ to blow right now, I would definitely consider one from them.

[@fattousaithehamslayer9772]

If only i could figure out how to order. Wish there was more of a selection on the site. But I definitely want one

[@tengu190]

You need to contact them via FB. They then send you tons of photos of options.

[@mandyequalsmurderofficial9256]

@@tengu190 whats the page name?

[@manwich5364]

Lol at the dude mowing the lawn in the background....wonder what he thinks of your sword shenanigans. Lmfao

[@wrathsinful6389]

Great content! Is it possible in your testing to see how the Tsuba hold up to strikes against them?

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Good insightful, informative test review! First time viewer here of your videos. You seem to be very knowledgeable and methodical, a little like JoeX, the Blade Destroyer. As you had priviously indicated most of these "Zombie Apocalypse" branded novelty swords, blades are Rip-off gimmicks that just do not hold up are a "Money Pit", an alluring trap to be avoided! Seeing your well done informative tests reviews and results, clearly reinforces my conclusion that the Cold Steel hybrid Sword Machetes espically the; Chinese Sword Machete,Tactical Katana, Cutlas,Barong,Kopis, Jungle,Gladius and Bowies are overall the best, virtually indestructible for use as Tools and Survival/Emergency situation Personal Safety Defensive Devices. I cannot see investing large sums of money into a sword ,when I can buy the Cold Steel hybrid Sword Machetes. Such as the Chinese Sword Machete , Tactical Katana,Cutlas, Barong,Kopis, Jungle or Gladius at a mere fraction of the cost.

[@Psycho-Ssnake]

Yay more sword videos!

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

Hooray!!,…a katana!, thanks Mr. Jensen.

[@JoeSteel1]

Byzer, can't say I've ever come across it, in my relatively short tenor other than your video, shows how many options there are in the market today, considering they don't advertise its such a great service to all that they sent you a sample, that being said...Bad Ass video dude, so descriptive and complete 👏...so well done....impressed at the quality of the steel and fit and finish, from what I've seen, a definite consideration for the price....one other thing I learned pondering my upcoming destruction test is I need desperately some protective armor and head gear...lol..or I can't do it....question Matt what is the croquet stick of doom made of, need to fashion one myself...absolutely fantastic job Matthew, so impressed

[@Matthew_Jensen]

It’s a mild steel rod.

[@theronfriss9153]

I just purchased a cloudhammer s5 sword with a loose saya. Added a saya shim and a world of difference with retention. Love the sword but small fit and finish details are noticable. All in all, a durable blade and fairly good fittins are a good package

[@pauly51]

Please do a review on John Lee katana’s. I own the practical model

[@mikeschannel2024]

Another great video!!!!! Cheers!!!!!

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

I've seen the gentleman that supposedly owns this brand doing his own test videos and showing off on Facebook along with the S7 steel receipt. It's good to know the bold claim isn't completely unfounded. The cross section seemingly shows a "jacketed" thin layer of metal on the outside of the steel, I'm not sure if it's some kind of optical illusion from the camerawork or what. And you mentioned that there's not a lot of distal taper, but based on the measurements in the description: Saki-haba: .30” Sakikasane: .18”, am I crazy or that's quite a bit of distal tapering for a katana (40% seems to be more than most other modern katanas)? The profile taper does seem not very pronounced though.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

That note about the taper is fair. Most katana out of china start at .24 and taper some. Starting at .3 might be why it feels a bit chunky.

[@Phil.Martin]

Great review, Matthew! Looks as though they properly heat treated that S7 blade. Their Chinese dao looks interesting as well.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

If you wanted a sword that held up to a lot of shock, this S7 stuff seems like it would do well.

[@alunrogers3525]

Great video as always. When are you going to review a high end sword from Yarinohanzo?

[@samuelschulman7175]

It would be great to get a bare blade from Byzer, then set it up with custom fittings & mount. Then I would want to send it to Eric Husayn to be sharpened. The possibilities for this sword are very exciting!

[@djcrew9717]

Thats Paul Bos heat treated, holy shit. I have a couple knives treatet to his protocol, the TOPS/Buck CSAR-T folder and another one.. Im surprised to see that. He developed protocols for heat treating powdered steels that made them more useful in different kinds of blades.

[@lio88jian]

I thought this was a sword review, but dang! Look at those guns!

[@tengu190]

Thanks for getting this out, curious about their slightly longer $560 offering.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

welcome

[@ormanerik]

Very pretty sword, it almost looks like an hsts tsunami.. the croquet stick of doom is becoming famous 😁

[@jcarlosmarques1787]

You have my favorite sword channel!! Is there a sword that has not broken?

[@dragonof2swords867]

23:17 oh what your neighbor must be thinking as he Mows his grass and looks up and sees this lol

[@Matthew_Jensen]

They are used to it at this point.

[@pegcity4eva]

Gorgeous sword

[@candyshop84106]

MATT TALKS STEEL TYPES!! NICE!!

[@LancelotChan]

This one is stock removal done. They purchase BOS heat treated S7 from USA and cut from that steel plate.

[@ToxicityAssured]

They do stock removal after heat treating? That would be strange indeed.

[@russellzheng7433]

Obviously you are a layman. Byzer's cpm 3v is heat-treated by Bos, but the s7 material comes from Finkl in the United States and is forged and heat-treated by Byzer itself.

[@russellzheng7433]

@@ToxicityAssured Byzer's cpm 3v is heat-treated by Bos, but the s7 material comes from Finkl in the United States and is forged and heat-treated by Byzer itself.

[@asoasotriadio]

Are you willing to try one of the hanwei raptors? It would be really interesting

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I reviewed a couple raptors a few years ago. They are decent swords. In terms of breaking one, I only do that for provided samples and so far, CAS is not keen on sending any my way.

[@asoasotriadio]

@@Matthew_Jensen I see

[@tengu190]

I do not like their tsuka. Check out Mr. Excalibur's reviews of Raptor. The Nanbuchuko zukuri has the worst tsuka in the series.

[@asoasotriadio]

@@tengu190 I actually bought the nanbokucho raptor a month ago ... Mine was not that bad... It had an axe handle yes... But it wasnt too wide to make it uncomfortable... Also the tsuka came like half an inch shorter... I dont know maybe I got lucky... The only problem is that it is a little bit heavy... Well again thats not a problem for me since I am 6.2 and 170 lbs full of muscle but I wouldnt suggest it for a shorter or weaker person... This sword is a thick beast ideal for heavy cutting (and thats why I bought it) or I dont know like a zombie apocalypse lmao... But for Iaido and stuff I wouldnt really recommend it

[@tengu190]

@@asoasotriadio Skyjiro Hanabira and the Dragon King Winter Sun are both 30" and more balanced between cutting and iai. I use a 2.7 shaku currently for iai. The two 2.8 shaku iai on the market sub $900 I am not really a fan of, Ryujin and Ronin.

[@alexwilmes9496]

I'd like to see you're take on the Musashi Umi and/or Umigame katana off Amazon. Laminated and differentially hardened for under $220. Seems like a good deal.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I don't own one but I would be happy to review either of them if they were sent my way.

[@8thsinner]

I think it's quite an ugly blade this one in my opinion, but if it came with the basic furniture as a blank blade it seems like a very worthy DIY clean up job for the money. It took quite a lot. Whats interesting is the leather to me, it's clean cut on the sides like any other buffalo leather lace might , which as far as I know is quite unusual for katanas, as doesn't most leather come thinned and folded at the edges?

[@damienvoable]

Hard to use their site. Don't know how to order

[@willraven7]

What is the croquet stick made of? Metal rod??

[@Matthew_Jensen]

mild steel

[@manofsteelix]

I keep getting discouraged in buying a katana from all of the things I see about how much a “true” katana cost from Japan… i know I’m not going to be using the sword but I like the feeling of knowing it will not break over something small…

[@andrebaxter4023]

You don’t have to buy from Japan to get a quality katana. They have a lot of mark up on their prices because of laws and regulations.

[@317consulting5]

Great video! I was wondering if you had any insight regarding this: I purchased a Tori Katana Elite off Amazon that’s arriving soon. Is there any way to validate authenticity? Thanks!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Post on a Facebook site. Someone can tell you if it is legit.

[@317consulting5]

@@Matthew_Jensen thank you sir.

[@m.kultra4101]

Your bamboo Matt is made of a so called super steel?? Swedish powdered steel?

[@soykanmuri7277]

Don't you hate it that, no matter how you go back to noto that there's oils on the blade and from your thumb. Even with keeping your fingers and hand palmish area, that you always have to take the sword back out, carefully later and clean the sword with rice paper or whatnot.

[@samuraibyrd]

Very thorough review as always,Sir! Is the samegawa fully wrapped? I’m curious. Not out of my price range,but does seem a little overpriced. Extremely durable blade,but needs a master smith for the steel. I also own a $350 Ryansword #1136,and like yours, I think I got more for the money,minus the extreme durability of the Byzer blade.I will definitely take a look at their website,as you have peeked my curiosity. Thanks!!

[@vaughnsangalang7934]

bos??? is that like what buck uses on there knives

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I think Buck uses a type of stainless, Not sure if S7 stems from that or not but I would guess no.

[@vaughnsangalang7934]

what sword is it? the link doesnt work anymore

[@Matthew_Jensen]

You can find them now at RVA katana. Byzer has changed it's name to Cloudhammer.

[@tengu190]

Buy some chaps for leg protection.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

too cheep, I have had my eye out for something that would work but so far all the options are a little more than I want to spend or too cumbersome to put on.

[@tengu190]

@@Matthew_Jensen how about leather chaps that some blacksmiths wear. Chainsaw chaps are too cheap?

[@Micha_-od9tc]

It hurts my eyes watching the destruction of this beautiful blade...

[@oubliette862]

Seeing you touch the edge of that blade is strange, I'm not used to that.

[@tengu190]

You need to collaborate with Paul Martin

[@Matthew_Jensen]

That would be lots of fun.

[@kal-el1411]

coldsteel swords were stronger? 🤔

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have not pushed one to failure yet but generally speaking they have had other issues.

[@OpenCarry2024]

Then i chucked it at at tree 🤣 🌲 I'm sorry it was just funny. It makes sense and you're right it does make sense obviously, but it was just funny how you said that

[@librabys]

''What do you do for a living?'' ''I destroy swords''

[@1885win]

You should only use stones for knives and swords. You cannot get as good of an edge of a belt or grinder.

[@SenTenshi]

I haven't watched it fully yet but i will for sure. I do agree though... usually it's better to avoid advanced tool steel swords sold in the budget price range. I'm not talking about T10 but steels like L6 and such. When it's under the 1k2USD base you just know it... they will most likely f.ck it up. There is a reason company like MAS Butouken or else are selling at higher prices. Quality control, equipment and skills... So i don't know about S7 blade in the 500USD price range. Hope i'm wrong tho...

[@tengu190]

They also offer S5 blades

[@SenTenshi]

@@tengu190 i don't know about this specific brand. But you know generally speaking buying a production sword within the 300-600USD and forged with an advanced steel or using a complex design like... hon san mai or any other can be a hit or miss. It will require more attention, longer time, more skills or just some advanced equipment and overall a better quality control to do it right. So i just think it's generally safer to leave it to some high end company or even better, get a custom order from someone. Of course it will cost a lot more. Because i've seen company like Hanwei failing the heat treatment on their L6 models. Oni / Praying Mantis. Or some powder steel. And you know... that's a 1k3 sword so... Like i said, hit or miss. But i'm not saying their swords will turn out bad, i don't know them. I was just agreeing with Matthew on this. Just generally speaking.

[@tengu190]

@@SenTenshi another company that uses proprietary steels is Skyjiro. But those blades are specifically made for tatami and bamboo.

[@TheOtherFagola]

A sub 1000 USD S7 katana, interesting.

[@LancelotChan]

The owner of the company once stated that the tip should be blunt, even antique's tip was blunt. He's very ignorant and his stuff shows.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I would imagine there are some antique blades with dull tips but I don’t think it is the standard.

[@rexmerrill3086]

NO hamon? Is a deal breaker.It looks like some of there swords even have fake hamons.

[@chrislebret553]

I couldn't figure out how to buy one. I was confused as a blind lesbian in a fish market

[@최승도-e2w]

No hi katana is better looked hi katana

[@LancelotChan]

Mainland China company. I know the boss. They recently just attacked a customer with scissors and sword. 白澤堂.

[@kennethg9277]

The customer had scissors and a sword, or the boss had the scissors and a sword? Dual wielding either way, I guess

[@LancelotChan]

@@kennethg9277 the customer had nothing, went there with a complaint in transaction. The boss and his younger brother attacked him. I had some footage saved about the encounter.

[@anj4de]

Quality or not...I do NOT like the look at all. The blade looks super cheap and the ito is also ugly. Ok, it's solid...and maybe it will fing it's customers. For that amount of money I would pick something different though. I am a big Huawei fan! ;-)

[@Micha_-od9tc]

The ITO is very well done, even on their low cost Katanas, i have the 51crv4 spring steel for around 300$, and the leather ito looks and feels very good. Take your Huawei sword, which takes 2 years wait time without communication, and get then a T10 cheap steel blade, which does look good, i must say, but it is only T10 cheap steel. A good looking wall hanger, that are Huawei swords for me

[@jeremiahsmith7924]

You really think this was the toughest? It seemed like the Baron from DSA you broke took as much, if not a little MORE to break

[@metingurbuz750]

Because DSA are thick crowbars shaped like a sword.