Hanwei Lion Dog Katana Review

[@brokkur7629]

Heh. "If you can hear me, I'll give you a pony"... Good set of headphones there.

[@haocc9986]

I can literally find every katana review from this channel. It's awesome!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

There are a few..

[@thebusey4514]

The lion dog fits me perfect being 6'5 with long arms. I did notice the weight at first but I've come to appreciate its mass and balance while cutting. The ito is Japanese silk not cotton.

[@IR.L971]

I really like the looks of a well done o-kissaki.

[@davidwren5222]

Interesting review thanks. Do you script these or just ad lib? Very impressive word rate 😀

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have some bullet points that I go over. Scripting does not work well for me, I tried it a few times and yuck. Sometimes I have to have the same conversation a few times... Little one interrupts or I forget to turn the mic on.. Sometimes both..

[@euanhare]

It's quite stunning really, nice vid my man.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks.

[@Katrulzin]

Hey Matthew! I've seen some of your posts on the sword buyers guide forums and know you love your bamboo mat. I thought of getting the bamboo mat, but I prefer the longer handles 12-13 inch tsuka. I bought a Bugei Limited Edition Golden Oriole (LEGO) that was made from K120 Swedish powdered steel was a bit long for me with only a 27 inch blade. But both swords are great, they both have very nice specs, but I bite the bullet and got a Lion Dog because of specs that I like. However, I do like the hamon on the bamboo mat slightly better, seems to have more character. Lastly, would you say that this sword performs as well as most T10 production swords? Or do you feel the Lion Dog is a bit over priced? Even at 900 dollars since it's rated MSRP is 1,400 according to Bugei/CAS. Do you feel this blade is a bit more durable than other production swords at this price range? Lastly last, you think there is a way to enhance the hamon with polishing, or does it have to be a acid etch? And forgive me I might've forgot during my days of research, is the hamon genuine or is it completely decorative? As an alloy I don't know if they actually created an hamon, or if they did it might be quite small and the rest is purely decorative for extra flash and appeal. Also does the hamon fade easily? Thanks Matt!

[@generalguderian9677]

Excellent review. You know your swords.

[@stanleyang2534]

Nice to know your favorite is the bamboo mat...

[@soykanmuri7277]

Its pretty wide, I was actually looking for the lion katana. They had the kami, the shobu zukuri, the bushido..all folded. Blades that could cut the mats. The Golden Oriole which I'm sure they used in Tameshigiri. Hmmm this one looks interesting it has that look like it's really good at cutting, and it's sharp, and expensive. Very good a review on it.

[@erichusayn]

Another great review dude. Was actually considering that sword and as usual your review answered all my ?s. Keep up the good work!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks!

[@CountOrlok22]

That issue with the bubbling on the saya I've only had with one other model and that's the PPK Elite. True, the saya doesn't show fingerprints, but that textured fingerprint-free look comes at a price. The finish seems to chip easily and occasionally get that bubbling. Not sure if it's connected, but I noticed that it started to appear after placing a shim in the saya (perhaps moisture was trapped inside?).

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Hard to say. I notice it on this blade more toward the seem further down the blade.. Not sure what causes but I know it is unsightly.

[@santanajackson6160]

Thats a sweet katana and I bet that sword would cut some harder targets too . I bet that sword would suprise you on what all it could cut

[@Leon_Kozza]

I believe that hamon is san bon sugi or three cedars.

[@jonlanden1632]

Is the Cold Steel Dragonfly katana a good choice or is money better spent elsewhere?

[@gyanrosling2226]

You should do a review on the Hanwei Tori katana if you haven't already. I'm curious on your thoughts.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I did a tiger elite, and a musashi elite/xl they are similar blade types. I like the look of the tori but I am sure it will have many of the same issues and excel in similar areas.

[@gyanrosling2226]

@@Matthew_Jensen Thanks! I will check them out!

[@notsans9995]

Honestly, if hanwei put out a sword with the size and geometry of the ppk XL light, the hamon and polish of the lion dog and the O-kissaki of the nanbokcho It would be perfect for me and I'd pay their direct msrp in a heart beat

[@r3771-n2r]

Hey that's the sword I traded you!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Indeed it is. I am going to put it up for sale in a bit.

[@MLO101]

Spirt orb flys by at :42

[@garrettb2057]

IDk if you have a video but think you could do a video on katana disassembly, I have the same katana (lion dog) Bought it brand new and the pins are so locked up and I can't get them to budge. Any suggestions or if u could do a disassembly video that would be cool

[@Katrulzin]

They take quite a bit of force taking them out the first time, but try not to tear up the bamboo and put a tissue over it. They only come out one way the end that's smaller, since they have a cone type funnel shape to it. One direction takes them out, the other makes them more wedged inside. Any kind of drill bit with a flat blunt end, preferably the same diameter as the bamboo will do nicely as to not bite into the bamboo.

[@jshada11]

Hey matt what would you consider the best cutter between a skyjiro warlord, hanwei wind and thunder or the hanwei lion dog?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Wind and Thunder for tatami

[@StingofTruth]

Hey mr. Jensen, i just wanted to thank you for your reviews and destruction tests. They are really helping me make informed decisions on which katanas to buy, which to stay away from, and what price kategories to look at. I appreciate that a lot. Blessings to you and your family. :)

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Glad they are helpful. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Wolf_Mechanic]

If I had the money I'd buy it

[@jonahmarlow3816]

Do you know where you can get ito rewrapped? I have a lion dog and the ito came unwrapped

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I use a pro. You might want to ping Josiah Boomershine. He can probably get you to the right spot. Its not cheap though. Sometimes its $200-$300.

[@jonahmarlow3816]

Matthew Jensen. Awesome. Thank you.

[@TheRingoKid]

Who cares what people think brother!!!

[@mckenzieelliott4932]

Do you sell swords on eBay?

[@firstname7780]

I dont care how you get the katanas Matt, your reviews are priceless as the $$$ saved avoiding mistakes i do not have figures lol..

[@dmitrykarkov4747]

Why are you Quentin Tarantino?

[@ronniep9272]

Vince Vaughan

[@Disgruntledgamer]

Can you clarify by what you mean by big? Do you mean just length or weight? 29 inch isn't that much above average unless of course it's heaver than most 29 inch blades. Longer blades even by an inch really do give you an advantage in sword on sword combat, not that you should be doing that .

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I suppose I can only compare it to what I know. When I say it is big, I mean that the blade is on the thicker and wider side of blades and the weight is on the heavy side. It is not the thickest or widest or heaviest but it is above average in each case. The blade is not terribly long but again, 29" is on the longer side of katana. Most are 26-28. All of that in combination give it a hefty feeling in comparison to others out there. The bushido, the ronin, the PPK, the bamboo mat, ect all feel a little lighter in comparison. Does that help answer the question? I know that is just one mans perspective. I left a link to the dynamics of the sword. It might help give a better idea.

[@Disgruntledgamer]

Matthew Jensen it most certainly does thanks. I'm surprised it feels so heavy with such a long handle usually that makes it feel lighter. How does it feel in comparison to say a 30-31 inch blade?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

That is a hard question to answer. I don't think I can answer that. There are too many dynamics that are involved to say how it feels in comparison to a longer blade without any other factors considered. I have had longer blades that felt more nimble than this and I have had longer blades feel more dead in the hand than this.

[@Disgruntledgamer]

Matthew Jensen That actually kinda does answer it thanks. You think a bo-hi might help address it issue's? P.S Sorry for all the dumb questions .

[@grappolidipalma]

What Matthew said is right; it is more "a personal preference" than anything else. For example i do own both the "Bamboo Mat" and the "Lion Dog". When i do handle the Bamboo Mat, I have the "feeling" that "there is something missing"... - When i cut something with it, I feel like "part of my energy get wasted" (because the sword is to light); instead, I feel the Lion Dog like "a completely natural extension of my self", - perfect weight, perfect length, perfect balance -. ...The Lion Dog "fit me perfectly"; I felt that way when i handled it the first time (around 18 months ago) and still feel exactly the same today.

[@michaelcooke8665]

Gold mountain forge katanas are made in Canada better guality

[@Dkshinigamithecollector6711]

Sir is it worth it for you or not?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I am really starting to wonder. Initially, I would say no for me.. but I just noticed someone using one at last nights event and it looked good in the right hands. I don't think it is for me but I don't know if I gave it enough credit.

[@Trickshot72]

Thoroughly enjoyed this review, thank you. I have this sword. Mine has only ever been an ornament, so it's as new. Still has the tags on it. When it was given to me, as a birthday present, I thought it was special. Since then, I've watched almost all of your reviews, and others, and come to realise that it's average. Still like it though, it's an impressive looking thing. I think I would like to sell it, and maybe acquire a sword that really is special. As a UK resident, I have absolutely no idea how or where I could list it?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

You might try the SBG and SFI forums. I am not sure about what the price would look like or what laws might play a factor.