Dragon King Spring Sakura Katana Review

This is a review of a Dragon King Sakura Katana. I forgot to mention but...
1. I am not affiliated with CAS Iberia or Dragon King
2. I got this sword second hand
3. I paid for the sword with my own money, it is not a review sample.
4. I am not an expert at anything
Link to CAS Iberia -casiberia.com/p...
Handle/Tsuka Length: 11.5”
Blade/Nagasa Length: 27.25 (without habaki)
Sori: .5”
Moto-haba: 1.27”
Saki-haba: .77”
Motokasane: .32”
Sakikasane: .22”
Weight: 2lb 8oz
POB: 5.25” from tsuba
MSRP: $449
Advertised
Blade Length: 27"
Handle Length: 11 1/4"
Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz
Link to the new facebook spot - / matthewjensenswordreview
Link to the new patreon spot - / krunan
Link to my ebay sales page - www.ebay.com/us...

[@yusufjorgenz5951]

Mine is in the mail. Shwoo 3 swords in 3 weeks. I’m addicted. Update. Got it today. Love it! 3 for 3 no issues.

[@g.r.bilyeu4226]

You've convinced me. I'm ordering one in the morning.

[@seanbydawn8243]

Matthew, one of the best channels on KZbin. Question; what do you feel would be the toughest katana for a SHTF scenario? No, I'm not sitting in my basement with tinfoil on my head waiting for aliens or zombies to come, they are already here and in Washington. Just curious what the toughest katana is/was that you've tested (that handles better than a telephone pole of course). A blade that won't take a set? Spring steel? Thanks and keep the videos coming. Watched a drunken video the other night after a rare glass of fine scotch and it made the review even funnier!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Hard to say.. I would go for something with mono steel, through hardened. I would probably go with something from Keffler and get a katana with G10 handles and a modern ito. That should keep it lasting for a long time. On a more budget approach maybe zombie toosl? Miller Brothers blade? something like that.

[@MasterofOssus]

Great review. I have the Winter Sun and I love it. Sakura is my second-favorite, and I think I'll keep looking for a deal on one of those. Interestingly, the specs on the blades themselves seem to be pretty different, even though these are marketed as part of a seasonal set. Winter Sun is sold as the biggest, and heaviest of the four, and IIRC the Sakura is the shortest and lightest, so if you're interested in more of a beater (that still looks great), then that might be a better option.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I just had a chance to play with this one. I would like to try the other blades but I have not had the chance yet.

[@MasterofOssus]

Same here. I'd offer to trade, but I love the Winter Sun and wouldn't give it up. Hope we both find what we're looking for!

[@g.r.bilyeu4226]

Sakura is my favorite. I'm ordering it in the morning. The Winter Sun is my 2nd favorite. That's for next payday. Then Autumn and summer.

[@robinmarks4771]

I know I'm waaaaaay late to the comments party on this video, but just thought I'd point out that, at 5:14, when you said it reminds you of Hanwei, Dragon King is a CAS Iberia line, and CAS Iberia is Hanwei. Cheers!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I thought CAS was a wholesaler for Hanwei but the Hanwei factory was their own entity.

[@robinmarks4771]

@@Matthew_Jensen Yeah, you're correct. I just know CAS was originally CAS Iberia, changed their name to CAS Hanwei, then reverted relatively recently to CAS Iberia. CAS is definitely the distributor, but I think, insofar as I can research it without a clear org chart, Dragon King and Hanwei are at least related companies if not owned by the same parent company. My original comment was just meant to suggest they're very similar if not the same, so makes sense the Dragon King fittings remind you of Hanwei.

[@steveward8086]

Loved the outtakes lol great review

[@CountOrlok22]

The blemishes on the kashira and the dark spot and fraying on the ito would really bug me. That, to me anyway, looks like a factory second. I do like their fittings, though, so I'm still considering a purchase of their Spring Sakura, Summer Lotus, Autumn Leaf, and War Horse katana models. Once in a while Sword Buyer Guide's shop has them on clearance sale... so maybe then.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

It was second hand, so take that with a grain of salt. That said, it would piss me off too if I got it new that way.

[@matthewdaniels6643]

Hi Matt. I just ordered this sword from KnifeCenter.com. They were nice enough to do a price match with Kult of Athena, plus free shipping. I would have purchased from KOA except that I was looking at two different swords on their website and both were incorrectly listed as "in stock" when they weren't. It just gave me a bad first impression about KOA. They were very friendly, in any case. However they have an entire section on their website about "why buy from us" and one of the main points was how they were different from other stores who are too "embarrassed" to list a bunch of items and then have nothing in stock. I understand that it's tough to maintain a completely up to date online inventory, but they went 2 for 2 with falsely listed items. It just makes me question what other issues might arise. Great review.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks for the heads up. I don't hear a lot of bad about KoA but it is nice to know some is out there. Also nice to know consumers have options.

[@matthewdaniels6643]

I'm sure that I would give them a second look down the road. Just bad timing, I suppose.

[@justanotherinternetexpert7743]

Hey Mathew thanks for the great videos! I have a question for you? I really like the adornments (tsuba or hand guard thing lol) on the Skyjiro forge swords especially the cloud katana. So my question is do you know a maker that has something similar without buying the whole sword or going full custom? The modern classy look they have i think is just pretty cool without getting gody and tacky looking clean lines and what not. i really would like to put something together myself like matching adornments to a bareblade i want a blade i can beat the crap out of and i really would not feel comfortable using a $2000 dollar sword as hard as i would want to i was gonna buy a hanwei raptor or some thing like that and then try and pretty it up with a semi-custom handle and the rest. PS Without being a creepy internet stranger your daughters take on the dragon king sword in this video was cute "Its Reeeedddd!" My son has said the similar things about some of my swords but more like "its a super sword!" Or whatever 10 year old boys say! Lol thanks i know its a long comment and if you dont have time to answer no worries. You are really adding alot to the sword comunity with these videos thank you!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks for the kind words. I don't really know of a cost effective way to get those parts, but you could try asking skyjiro if they would sell just the fittings to you. It might be possible. Other than that you can try to find an antique or modern piece on ebay.. there might be something that pops up.. or lohman company, yamato bodogu, and namekawa are places that sell fittings... Thats about as much as I can recommend.

[@superdroideka]

Nice review! This seems to be what a Hanwei Raptor for ladies should be.

[@ABEAZYdaRonin94]

They got other DK Katanas on eBay for less than $400, $320-$390 range last time I checked. They say they're new, idk about that, they could be second hand.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Hard to say for sure. It is not bad to buy from an authorized dealer. Kult of Athena is good. You can also take a chance on ebay. It is probably fine but hard to know if they are factory seconds or not.

[@ABEAZYdaRonin94]

Matthew Jensen Yeah Ebays definitely a risk compared to swords and armory and KoA. Sometimes you get good deals with lower prices than the authorised distributors and sometimes you get screwed over

[@yusufjorgenz5951]

Aaron Scudder got mine new for 290

[@josephl.cinematographerpho4976]

Matt, so what do you recommend for 400 price range, for a stock sword, quality built parts and blade, for pleasing Aesthetic look, for light matt and bottle cutting and durable...Hanwei or dragon king...basically an all around good balanced sword?...Cudos to a great channel that allows discussion on our sword passions...lmao

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I like the shinto in that general rage. I think your money goes further second hand. The spring sakura is good in this case, as are some of the lighter skyjiro pieces. If you can find one instock anyway.

[@jeffhunter3402]

Good honest review. Well done

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thank you.

[@glxyy8319]

it would be better with a pink ito

[@mindmural8761]

Really enjoy your videos looking to purchase katana what do you think about the tori katana and have you seen the simon katana on eBay they have a great hamon but I don't no the quality thanks and keep making your great videos been watching them all day with hurricane irma outside my window

[@Matthew_Jensen]

hope all went well in the storm. I have had a tori and I liked the look and it cut well. I have had a few of the tori katana and I liked them all. I have had one simon lee katana and I thought it was nice but not amazing. Seemed OK but I only had the one experience.

[@lordcockimus1200]

My question is would this chop easily like from a hit from another sword or from wood?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I dont understand the question.

[@lordcockimus1200]

@@Matthew_Jensen I Mean would it chip easily from another sword strike or from striking wood

[@toji004]

Love that tsuba

[@waldowsxxghostxx8577]

How does this compare to Hanwei raptor ?

[@JamesGalea12]

Hi Matthew, thank you for this detailed review of the sword. I have a question. Is the sword handmade? Thanks!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

depends on what you think "handmade" means... People use their hands to make them... but also machines.. and also lots at one time... and also there are lots of the same thing.. I would guess that there are some steps in the process that are similar to a totally handmade blade though that is a broad assumption on my part.

[@JamesGalea12]

Matthew Jensen Jensen Thanks so much for your reply! I meant the sword in general yes. I understand. Keep doing those great reviews! Well done!

[@josephl.cinematographerpho4976]

@@Matthew_Jensen perfect reply

[@metingurbuz750]

Or for $170 definitely buy one right? :D HAHA I came across the review again after 6 years, I remember that glue defect. I may buy one again after watching the review again LOL.

[@pornchaidamrongthaveesak2581]

7:40 I have 2 Katanas and both came Blunt at the base of the blade ( around the habaki ) I tried to sharpen but failed.

[@jakevoss7885]

That's a normal thing for traditional Japanese swords and it's carried over to some reproduction stuff. It shows that the blade still has "life" left to take being polished again.

[@way2dumb]

15:10 watch that sword flex out on the follow through :)

[@New2Kendo]

Just FYI, Dragon King doesn't use any silver or nickel, its actually White Brass, but it looks nice and isnt the typical Brass

[@bearieroblox6451]

right now it is $295 on kult of athena

[@JonHunter80]

hey what did those poor water bottles ever do to u

[@dadabok]

I'm considering buying a Hana T10 or Spring Sakura 5160 TH, as my first katana (we don't have Raptor Shinogi in the UK which would be my first choice). You tested Winter Sun which is 5160 TH as well. Which would you recommend? Or maybe a Bamboo Mat? Thanks!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I like the Bamboo Mat..

[@YellowMisanthropist]

would you use this sword for self-defense?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I am guessing you mean as a home-defense weapon and while it would work, it would not be my first choice.

[@YellowMisanthropist]

thank you for the response. i was going to purchase it just because it looked nice but not no more

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Glad to help. That said, I should mention that I don't think I would pick a katana as my first choice for home defense weapon. The sword is fine as I noted in the review but I don't think I would want to use it inside my home.

[@YellowMisanthropist]

ah i see. there's a famous youtube user who goes by Skallagrim who made a video on home defense weapons and suggested non-lethal ones such as paintball/riot gun and blunt weapons for close-encounter

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I would go with a shotgun... if I had to go with a blade, probably something shorter, than a katana.. probably a waki or filipino weapon..

[@tem_anu]

Thats one hell of a nice shity dome. :)

[@tem_anu]

Neat looking sword. Not sure id pay 450.