Ramble: Showing a few of my favorites..

[@robertmccarter8010]

Good comments on a favorite doesn’t mean the most expensive. I’ve handled a fraction of the swords you have but have also found this to be true. I gave away over forty swords to coworkers and friends in 2020 after having my fun with them. It was so much fun spreading the hobby around. Fun fact: 9/10 people say yes if you ask them if they want a free sword. Anyways, my point is that I reckon if they continue the hobby, I’ll bet that first one they got will stay a favorite.

[@empathicparadox284]

The Santa of swords.... now this is a guy to know lol.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Really nice video. I love what you've had done with the Bamboo Mat. I'm considering doing something similar. I think the other thing with Chinese made blades in particular (though it goes for all swords as well) is that within a given make and model there is a lot of variation in quality, as well as stats. Sometimes you just get one of the good ones and whatever the list value of that make and model, that particular example can be worth a lot more to a practical swordsperson just for that reason.

[@samuelschulman7175]

I just got myself a primative bowie off amazon for less than 40 bucks. It's made in Pakistan, it's very crude, but I really like it. It feels great in the hand, looks insane, and took a fairly good hair shaving edge. So, I agree, blade collecting can be fun in all the various price ranges.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Buy what you like and like what you buy. I don't recall where I heard it but it rings true.

[@dionvillanueva8822]

Remember Grasshopper, " the sword will choose you and not you choose the sword"......great video! Keep up the great work you're doing Brother! Like your insights.👍

[@jackarrows1436]

I feel like crying, if I think of the effort and the cost of making a sword, see it broken and not be able to restore it

[@erichusayn]

Very cool to see your favorites. That last one looks like a fast cutter. Would love to see you go to town on some bottles with her.

[@alunrogers464]

A good selection of your favourite swords. Nice to see that the Hanwei bamboo matt refitted is one of your favourites.

[@JoeSteel1]

Great compilation Matt...the bamboo matt is my favorite from the video...they did her up real nice

[@harjutapa]

huh, I wonder why that particular bamboo mat was made heavier? 8 oz is a significant amount of weight variation in what I thought were pretty standardized swords.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

I noticed that blade has no “bo-hi”, could that be it?

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

They actually tend to vary quite a bit in some cases. But like the dude above me said could be lack of bohi that'd add significant weight to a sword.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

@@bmxriderforlife1234 most Hanwie swords are standardized with few options offered,..the Hanwie’s I’ve seen have bo-his,...my XL plus has a bo-hi, it’s rare to see a Hanwie without one, very interesting,...no “swooosh” sound, silent when swung.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

@@armoredsweatpants3997 I'm not talking about options. I'm talking about consistency. Lol.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

@@bmxriderforlife1234 on some swords, a bo-hi is an option, I’ve ordered a custom katana from “swords of north shire”, this blade will not have a bo-hi,...I expect it to be a little heavier than my Hanwie, though my Hanwie weighs 3oz more than my daughters Hanwie, she has the XL light that weighs in at 2lb and 9oz, my XL plus is 2lb and 12oz, my “north shire” sword will probably be a good 3lb,..that’s 7oz more than the XL light.

[@brotherman37]

I'm not new to the channel, but I do like to see you bringing your favorites back out. As for your comment, about investing in yourself by putting money in an inexpensive sword you like. I agree I had one I like, it was no well-known brand, but the katana but something I really liked. I let voices in The Sword Community convince me it's not worth pouring money into a cheap sword. I ended up selling it, and still regret doing it. I have more expensive swords I have had customized, still did not give me the thrill of that one I liked. So solid advice Matt.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Funny how that happens. Live and learn, sometimes good swords are sold and that is just part of the tuition in this hobby.

[@levelearthobserver8341]

Your custom bamboo has a touch of the lone wolf about it, very nice👍

[@empathicparadox284]

It’s great seeing other top blade bloggers comment within other top blogs... I’ve seen matts comments in scholag, I’ve seen scholag below, I’ve seen skallagrim do it as well... it adds a secular nature to the community... nice to see.

[@alientude]

I know what you mean about lower cost swords still managing to make it into your favorites. I have several higher end production swords such as Albions and ATrims, yet one of my absolute favorite swords to use is a factory second Balaur Arms longsword I paid $125 for. Sometimes a sword just sings to you no matter how much it cost.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

Agreed my friend,...price isn’t everything, as he said “a great sword is more than the sum of its parts”.

[@muffincutting6020]

I'm in a similar boat, I find myself picking up my L. Driggers messer and my Lk chen swords more often than I go for my atrim or higher end swords. You said it best, sometimes a sword just "sings" to you.

[@shanewright344]

The sword that sang to me was a Cold Steel Warrior katana that I bought years ago for around some 400 odd dollars. I still have it, I still cut with it, and even though Cold Steel isn't a popular sword production company for alot of people, I personally feel that I got my money's worth out of it.

[@alientude]

@@shanewright344 And that's all that really matters, really. I'm just glad there's so many options out there that eventually everybody should be able to find the sword that's just right for them.

[@utubepunk]

Sunday ramble! 🍿

[@paulfrank1777]

Great to see your video

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thank you sensei! Kind of you to say.

[@libertyprime6932]

Holy hell this man has a few swords 😅 you are living the dream, brother.

[@joske2838]

That's a fine looking bamboo mat! I've wanted a standard one for ages but can't even afford that 😂😭 maybe if I bought a few less cheaper ones I could have had one by now 😅 maybe one day.. Enjoy your videos Matt, cheers for sharing 👍

[@carstenbodinus2657]

I’m certain that many people have been inspired to start with Iaido watching your videos. What are the things you need if your toying with the idea of giving it a go? Apologies if you’ve answered this kind of question before and many thanks for the excellent content.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

You'd wanna see what your sensei says but a bokken an iaito or dull sword(becareful some are steel and some sensei don't like that others are zinc aluminum) Eventually a sharp sword. Depending how seriously you get into it a bokken and cheaper iaito to start is best then later on get a nice investment iaito and a good starting sword. Sometimes it's also nice to grab a cheap sword to just get a few things out the way but not necessarily needed once you learn to respect them and understand their capabilities. But knowing that you watch this channel you probably have seen destructive tests. For myself probably going motohara but with a traditional geometry. Mount quality is pretty top notch.

[@carstenbodinus2657]

@@bmxriderforlife1234 Thank you! Certainly a few thing to consider right from the get go- appreciate the advice.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

@@carstenbodinus2657 Just to reiterate what bmxrider said, find a good Sensei and do what he or she advises. My first Sensei had us start out with Bokken and then move on to Shinken (live blade) because he said that using a live blade would focus your attention. Then I had another Sensei who didn't want anybody to use anything but Iaito. Both were good Senseis, but they had different ideas on the best way to teach.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

General advice is to find a teach in the area. It is rare that there are several options but if you happen to have choice, then go to a few classes at each one and see which fits you better.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

@@Matthew_Jensen :P I guess I should feel lucky. I've got like idk 4 or 5 ryu in my city. Hyoho niten ichi ryu Yagyu shinkage The other yagyu ryu Katori shinto A few different styles of dedicated iai A battojutsu ryu Unfortunately next to nothing HEMA beside rapier.

[@Cloudfencer]

I received a bamboo mat but mine is 2 lbs 5 oz and looks much more slender than your beefy one. It’s easy to wield but that thick blade of yours is pretty handsome

[@adam5words688]

Good video Matt. It's always interesting to hear a sword friend's perspective, and a lot of us just would rather look at and hear swords talked about than not. So though I cannot speak for all your viewers I would wager 80% are just happy to see a new video.

[@weaponman3872]

I followed many weapon channels and I would say this one is one of the most informative on the topics I’m more interested in, I am a tad Curious on the last sword , while it is actually a really good indoor blade because of the size and weight distribution gives it a good chop from the top I would wonder how powerful it is over all , would I have the stoping power other swords would have , I would love to see a comparison of short swords like wakizashi and the one you mentioned, maybe even regular machetes , what are your thoughts on rapiers and other primary thrusters , lastly I think it would be cool to make your paper rolls into a human form set up and put a simple armor representation over it , just some thoughts , thanks for the content , nobody dose this shit and I certainly appreciate it

[@katananoob5117]

Ive been thinking about sending some stuff to cottontail customs. He does some amazing things.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

I wish I knew a mystery man in black,...sounds like a good person to know,...thanks for sharing, awesome blades!

[@LunarEclipsism1]

I like this video a lot! I, too, have an "extra stout" Hanwei Bamboo Mat that I did some tweaks to and it's the only katana I've actually kept in my collection over the years. Something about it is just really satisfying. Everything else in my collection is a Euro at this point but I never want to let go of that Bamboo Mat. Maybe I'll follow in your footsteps and invest in another aesthetic overhaul for it.

[@XXNerdzillaXX]

In my opinion, I like it when stuff gets scuffed up and banged around. I like tools/weapons that have a worn in look... Due to actual use.

[@jeff-hc8ux]

As soon as I saw the swirli mitsudome (not sure how to spell that) I was like has to be on the fav list

[@a-sheep-of-christ]

Everyone who has followed mr Jensen for some while now would have known the first sword to be one of his, if not his favorite. The >swirly mitsudomoes< alone - would have given it away.

[@vyr01]

I have been coming back to your oh spit sword on the 'bay several times, _ I just dont have the money to get it

[@Kubaaa555]

Make video about best cutters from your collection

[@Perkeletricksterservantofrher]

What is the ito wrap material ? Is that suede like ?

[@michaelrs8010]

So I'm going through the Ronin site, looking at the Dojo Pros, and it's hard to tell a difference in a lot of the models. Obviously there's the ones were the blade is 24 inches or 26 inches but the vast majority of them seem to be 28 inches, with the weight and point of balance and all that sort of thing being the same. So, of the ones that are 28 inches, is the only difference between the various "models" the design and color of the various accoutrements/fittings from the scabbard to the tsuba to the ito and so forth? Because I don't see anything that differentiate the blades one from another, except in a few cases the length.

[@soykanmuri7277]

An 8oz heavier top notch bamboo mat for looks needs some work on the kissaki. That thing is a 29" right, the nagasa...so penetration is important historically because the Mongolian invasion over seas Japan some time ago. Although, my favorite katana from the Bugei trade company was the shobu zukuri. You know oh man there's all those blades ppl obsess about, with a narrowing of the spine about halfway down the spine to the kissaki. I like your videos man, thank you for not reviewing those kind of Kata or "containers with water cutters".

[@raizen2574]

Hey Matthew, which websites would you say have best quality for custom katana? Any you recommend?

[@Vegasnativesinner85]

I like the 1st sword you showed us. Anything from hanwei I would say is crafted quite well. My question to you is, do you have a sword that you could literally beat against a metal drum can that wouldn’t suffer any edge damage at all? If so, what type of sword is it and how was it crafted?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

No. I do not have a blade, nor have I had a blade that I can hit a steel drum and not have some kind of edge damage.

[@henryfrederick137]

For some reason I want to see Matthew wearing a Godzilla t shirt😁

[@rezzy6461]

Why...

[@empathicparadox284]

Also, Matthew, Do you have any examples of these multi mat cutting katana blades? Like the wide blades used in those Japanese cutting contests on the tube? Like skallagrim said on his channel, he hasn’t seen any of these blades in person but I must see one.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

The closest we see on the market are the Hanwei XL and Elite blades, the Cheness SGC series, the Munitoshi performance cutter, the mat cutters from Evolution Blades/Motohara.. They all have larger than average width but none of them look as large as some of the swords shown. I would imagine that is a custom sword, I don't see katana that wide on the market. Then again, I have not seen close ups or measurements of it either.

[@New2Kendo]

Matthew did you use Fred Lohman fittings on the Bamboo Mat? I like the Hondachi (?) style fittings and I am having my Aaron Justice custom DF redone soon, and I FL has a couple of that style Koshire I like. I also ordered a Skyjiro Emperor Katana last week, something about that sword really appeals to me, which is odd because I normally gravitate towards basic fittings and I don't care for light colors on the Tsuka. I was really impressed with the Skyjiro I picked up this month, its one of their cheaper Katana, and the saya has a couple of spots where the black laquer ran, but other than that I have no complaints. The saya fits great, the fittings are tight and the Ito is tight and the diamonds (although small) are all the same size and shape. It looks like they are going to do orders through the webite only, each sword is made as the order comes in, so it takes about 2 1/2 months to get a sword made. Which IMO is good and bad. Good because they can give each order more attention by not creating huge batches where the quality can suffer, and bad because it does take some patience for the buyer and with an instant grarification society that may not work, and Skyjiro controls fhe price which means you pay full MSRP. However I believe is they can keep their standards high, and create a product that exceeds the standards held by other production swords, they could be the dark horse of the production market

[@Matthew_Jensen]

The fittings are from Hyper Cafe, you can find them on ebay. Often a bit small for modern blades but sometimes they fit.

[@AXAH78]

good video

[@nonsononessunooko4066]

cool bro

[@captainspoof101]

Hey Matthew! Absolutely love this channel. I know you've got at least one kid seen in videos. And potentially 1 ex wife named Jennifer. My wife's name is Jennifer and we just watched that Drunk Review and fucking loved it. As a soon to be first time dad, I would love if you made a short video on how you handle safety with your younglings. Thanks for all you do!!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I keep guns in a safe or on me, I keep swords up high if they are sharp or in a scabbard if they are low. I teach my kids not to fear them, appease their curiosity so the swords are not taboo, instill a sense of respect for both my property and rules of the hose, and hopefully some heathy fear for the consequences of dangerous objects or angry parents.

[@captainspoof101]

@@Matthew_Jensen thanks for that! I would like to think the "rule of the hose" involves spraying them down when they touch the swords. 🤣 Keep up the good work and have a great sword day!

[@andreweden9405]

Matt(of Great Hall fame) got real good, real fast at leatherwork! The scabbards I've seen by him are quite impressive. What about the Albion "Sovereign"? I thought it was your very favorite Albion! But perhaps it's just your favorite when it comes to arming swords...

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Love the look.. Defiantly my favorite looking Albion. That said, I found it less impressive in motion. I liked the Shariff a bit more for usage but either of them were not as fun to move as the merc.

[@intothecosmos8610]

In your opinion, what kampilan brand do you think is the best in terms of highest quality and long lasting?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

The TFW blade seemed to hold up the best. The BCI (even though it looks the same) seems a bit softer. At least in the example I have seen from them. The Kris Cutlery blade seemed the truest to antique blades out of the lot. Though none of them are made the same. The historical kamilan have some different profiles than the modern pieces.

[@intothecosmos8610]

thx. I heard the kampilan might’ve been the weapon that killed Magellan. I’m not a weapons expert, but the kampilan is a beautiful piece of art. I’d like to possibly own one in the future to hang on a wall. Filipino culture and inventions are so beautiful. As beautiful as the kampilan is, I do think the Japanese katana is more beautiful and the better blade, but who knows. I wonder which of the two is more revered and stronger. and of course growing up on the Ninja Turtles, Raph might’ve been my favorite, but I think my favorite weapon was the nunchuck.

[@myrtlebeachwolfman7493]

Nice video, looking to buy a muntashi for $200 Just for a show peice. I no nothing about katana. Is it an ok sword looks Cool? Thx

[@kristopheralonge2813]

Waiting for the day you are doing a sword review and you are like "this feels like my Hanwei Bamboo Matt........'bout time....."

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm.

[@jackarrows1436]

What kind of steel do you recommend for combat sword? And doesn't it break?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

They can all break.

[@jackarrows1436]

@@Matthew_Jensen Ok 🤔💬 Thx

[@Dogmaguy74]

Hi Mr. jensen me again! I’m asking alot here but you wouldn’t by any chance know of any sword sharpening services?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Nihonzashi does it... Or you can go for a polish/sharpening from Josiah Boomershine.

[@Dogmaguy74]

@@Matthew_Jensen what is the average pricing? I want to have two sword canes sharpened.

[@barretharms1432]

It is called a cane knife

[@fakerfake1]

But who is the man in black? I need to know!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

He does not like to be called out by name on KZbin. I am sure you will be able to find out on a number of sword forums and such.

[@gokulkrishnan8678]

Sir can you transport to India, tamilnadu state ..

[@Matthew_Jensen]

nope

[@gokulkrishnan8678]

@@Matthew_Jensen sir how can I purchase it

[@robcarnaroli269]

I do have other swords... Over left should is bucket of calymores :-)

[@KF1]

Good pajama ramble.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I don't think my outside pants fit me anymore..

[@KF1]

@@Matthew_Jensen Good news is they don't have to.

[@godzilla5599]

Everybody has a favorite,I have a cutlass that a guy who made cast aluminum trench knives stick one of his handles on a windlass brass cuttoe or cutlass (I forget) One quick question Matt you ever fiddle with a Chinese Miao Dao? Think katana on steroids with a wood handle if you've not seen one,thinking I'm about to buy one....

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have not played with one. I have heard good things but they are not katana, maybe like odachi or something but I would imagine they are not used in the same way strictly speaking.

[@godzilla5599]

@@Matthew_Jensen The one I'm eyeing is a swords of northshire and the blade is about 38.7 inches overall is...like 54 inches? Weight is 2.5 pounds it's huge and I'll probably get the Kanji for "Oni" engraved on it. I've watched some videos of the Chinese going flying around with one is...scary I've watched a guy on here who's name escapes me do some tatami cutting with the LK Chen version (which is bigger) and yea,it cuts like a devil.

[@shallmaneser]

Matt, don't get scared, but I think the chair next to you is haunted!!!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Nope, just my daughter hanging out with me while I ramble into a camera about swords.

[@LangstonDev]

@@Matthew_Jensen ...Ghost daughter?

[@vladimiriantchev8420]

Made a big fun again. Espessialy when you start talking about your favorite Rambo Katana, and then unexpectedly you surise as wit showin and start analising your jungle machetes from Shrek movies.

[@nonsononessunooko4066]

BUT YOUR FAVOURITE CHINESE SWORD??

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have only played with stuff from LK Chen and Hanwei. Love the Chu Jian

[@TravisFifield]

Ok decent

[@Revelatus]

I wonder what your day job is that allows you to buy all these swords and use words like bespoke

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I don't think you would find it particularly interesting. Has to do with supply chain and demand planning. Lots of non-rocket science level math and meetings.

[@Revelatus]

​@@Matthew_Jensen haha nah dude that sounds interesting. I'm a finance/budget nerd so math and meetings sounds like familiar territory to me. You're obviously successful at what you do though, look at that damn medieval armory behind you :D

[@noeroque4617]

Whosa

[@outlawsamurai47]

WHERE'S THE BEARD WHERES THE MAN BEARD COOL SWORDS BUT YOU NEED THE BEARD

[@Matthew_Jensen]

The beard gets old and I am happy to be free of it now that the weather is warmer. It might look epic but hair in your food and hate from your wife is not epic.

[@outlawsamurai47]

@@Matthew_Jensen on I get it but I still like the beard I wish I could grow one like yours

[@stevelkinevil]

Bro, love your shit, but by your bed? tell me you don't bring a sword to a gun fight.....

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have options.