Paul Chen Wind and Thunder

[Jamison L. Morin]

I’ve been trying to take some decent pictures of my wind and thunder for awhile and now that day has come to post them. After weeks of picture taking I’ve selected the best from hundreds I’ve took even though IMO these aren’t all that great. Please forgive me as it’s all I can do with no camera experience/skills and a 2mp form like 6 years ago. I hope you find some interest in them. As for the review I’m going to try and make it as short as I can.

I stayed home the day it was to arrive after several delay days by UPS and bad weather so when it came I was relived it finally arrived and in great condition. I took it out of the two boxes that housed the final product (The shipping box and the actual box the sword was in). I untied the bag it came in and lifted it out. The first thing I noticed was a loud rattle. When I pulled it out of its housing I could tell the saya wasn’t doing its job too well, I’ll fix that with a little veneer later on. The oil that was on the blade was almost nonexistent so I hurried to take her apart and remedy that.

The blade wasn’t the prettiest I’ve ever seen, but when all that old oil and gunk that was on it came off I could tell she had a little something to show. When all the oil and gunk was off, I put the blade under a bright light and at the right angle saw what was to see (which wasn’t much not being folded and a modern day steel). A few things that did stand out were the mirror polish and the hamon.

I know I didn't capture the hamon well enough to see, but the hamon starts out like a bright white line, and then a very light/faint sky blue and then fades to white again at the edge. I know enough to know that’s this is not an acid etched hamon like on all the wallhangers, but that this was the real thing; I was seeing the real hamon, not what the acid put there. The polish is just a clear mirror finish. Sadly the cheap crappy uchiko that came with the care kit has scratched her, but not much. That’s why I use pure denatured alcohol, does the same thing and doesn’t scratch the blade. Good thing the uchiko didn’t’ didn’t do alot of damage..

The mounts were nice, clean, even, and tight. Everything is metal except for the same, ito, saya, tsuka, sageo, and mekugi. The seppa at the fuchi was off, but a little filling will fix that and if that doesn’t work I can buy a new pair for around $30. The fuchi, kashira, menuki, and tsuba were clean and fitted nicely and made of steel from what I can see.

All around this thing is built solidly and I mean solid. The blade thickness is 8mm at munemachi (were the habaki meets the mune) and tapers to 5mm at the hamachi (were the edge meets the habaki) and the blades has no bohi, just the way I like it.
I will tell you now that this blade IS NOT FOR THE FAINT. She weighs a little over 4 pounds resting in her saya and a little over 3 out. I’ll have photos up sometime showing this on a scale if I can find one soon. Anyway, the blade came paper shaving sharp, which is plenty sharp for a sword (doesn’t have to be nor should it be razor sharp), and I have shaven normal 8x11 sheets with it with all parts of the edge.

That’s all the cutting I’ve done with it as I’m not about too venture into cutting without proper instruction. That would be plain stupid with a monster like this! Forget about poking an eye out, one could lose a leg or and arm easily with this thing!

All together I have to say I’ve very happy with it, for $500, I think I got a deal (even if I didn’t I still love it, besides look everywhere else and see that they’re selling it for around $750). I want to think J-Armory for this great product and transaction. If you get a Chen, get it form them; great prices, very knowledgeable staff and the number one thing with production blades, great quality control. Well, now for my sad pictures. BTW, if you want to see some really good pictures of the W&T, go here. http://www.j-armory.com/WTK.htm

Sorry again guys, I have no skill with a camera and it's old, but that would be blaming it on the camera and that's not right.

[Edward Penn]

I agree with your view of the sword it is really quite nice ( though I myself am a fan of the Paul Chen Mushashi I have but thats mostly because I am quite tall and so it fitts me nicely. I believe the rockwell of your sword is 60-40 as is mine if so it is realy quite strong. Thay will hold up to 440 steel with out so mouch as a dent though I would not advise it if you have a teacher and he was anything like mine... also some pics of your whole seord in the sun would be nice if posible.

[Mark W. Jensen]

Based in this review, I purchased a Wind and Thunder from J-Armory. Now, my experience in Chinese Swords and I know that Paul Chen makes quality products, so I am a real beginner when it come to Japanese swords. I have to say that I am pleased at the quality. Everything fits well. I have held other Chen swords like the PPK and the Bamboo, and although I knew that this was a much more “hardier” sword I was surprised at the size and weight. Since I am 6’5” and am used to training with a very large Chinese Bagua sword, the size only make me feel happier with my choice.

[JGGonzalez]

I had a chance to handle one of these at my dojo. Beautiful blade, but I think I would want the tsuka to be about two inches longer.

[Michael.K.G.]

The pics seem fine to me, Jamison. Stop doing yourself down.

[Jamison L. Morin]

Wow, people actually replyed. Sorry guys, I haven't been keeping up with this this thing. Edward, I'll try that, but people around here are, well, they'll think I'm crazy and call the police, but I will try my best. I just got a new camera and we'll see if that does better. I've been meaning to do that anyway.

[Rob Helm]

I know this thread was originally posted in 2003, but....I though a more recent update might be helpful to those looking for a "moderately" priced blade designed to be a cutting machine.
The wind and thunder isn't flashy, highly polished or a katana to put up on the shelf for looks. It's razor sharp, and very powerful katana.

The wind and thunder is a great cutting katana. But with the heavy, big powerful blade, it might not fit everyone. I'm 6'1", and it fit's me fine. Although I also would have liked an extra 1-2 inchs longer tsuka. I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner, because it is so heavy. My younger cousin, a newbie, is about 5/8" - the wind and thunder is just too big for him

But that aside it's a really well made blade. Well balanced, and very well made. I also own a Bugei, and a custom Last legend, and the wind and thunder, in my opinion, is as nice a blade as either of those.

What's also nice about it is that in the days when everyone wants to get the "folded" blades, these swords can be found new for bargain prices. If you want a flashy blade that you can show all your friends the "1000s" of folds, then pay twice as much. If it will fit you, and you want a real cutting machine, the her she is

BTW, your photos were great