Ronin Katana

Ronin Katana was started in 2005 by Texan Chris Scoggin, who got sick and tired of buying Katana on ebay only to be continually disappointed and decided to do something about it.

From such humble beginnings, Ronin Katana has grown to offer the worlds largest selection of katana and Samurai swords for sale on the internet with over 100 models to choose from.

It all started when Chris traveled to the Mecca of Chinese sword manufacturing, Longquan city, met the owners of the major sword forges and spent many years working with them back and forth to create a line of Japanese swords based on the Dotanuki style of sword-smithing – swords with thick and powerful cutting blades that were so brutally effective that the style was actually banned during the peaceful Edo period of Japanese history!

However, what was truly revolutionary about these 1060 monotempered swords was not just their durability and cutting power – it was also the use of unheard of, high quality materials in the overall construction – such as real silk ito wrap instead of cheap cotton, all iron fittings with tsubas copied from actual historical antiques and buffalo horn fittings on the saya – all for under the $300 price point.

Their warranty states:

All Ronin katana have a 30 day return guarantee You must obtain a Return Authorization number (RA) and write the RA number on the box. Returns sent back which are not inside a shipping box will be refused. You must ship the katana back in the same type of packaging you received it. Returns that do not have a RA number will be refused.

Important: There is a 20% restocking fee on all returns for a refund. The sword must be in the same condition it was received. If you have used it or taken it apart, you own it. I do not reimburse shipping costs.

Damaged katana: Ronin must be notified via email within 3 days of receipt that a problem exists.  A RA number will be issued, and an even exchange will be provided.

In addition to their sub US$300 Dojo Pro line, they also have some basic cutters made from 1045 carbon steel with real hamon and an Elite line of laminated, one off designs made by certified Master Sword Smiths forged once per year with prices starting at US$800 and some swords apparently made from meteoric ore that can be as expensive as $150,000..

MAIN PRODUCT LINES

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ENTRY LEVEL CUTTERS

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DOJO PRO KATANA

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EUROPEAN SWORD LINE

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LAMINATED BLADES

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HOW THEY ARE MADE

In conjunction with Sword Buyers Guide, the onwer and editor of SBG traveled together to the Forge in Longquan to shoot videos detailing how the swords are made and providing the sword buying public a rare behind the scenes glimpse into what goes into making their products.

KNOWN ISSUES

Occasionally an issue arises when a buyer, unaware that Dotanuki swords are SUPPOSED to be power cutters, find them too heavy for their personal taste (many sub $300 swords do not have a lot of steel in the blade, and while light, are incapable of heavy cutting). Not truly an issue per-se, but rather the result of impulse buying without reading the details.

Other complaints tend to do with the saya. The first is that the swords are coated in lithium grease to protect the blades while in storage, and the first few draws will often have this residue appear on the blade. This does go away with time or can be removed with a gun cleaning rod, and is certainly not isolated to Ronin Katana – just they use more grease as they prefer a slightly waxy blade for the first few draws than a rusty sword sent to a customer.

The second issue with the saya has to do with the use of buffalo horn “Kurigata” (the knob on the scabbard where the sageo cord is tied). While other swords at this price point just use wood, occasionally atmospheric conditions during summer can cause the bond to weaken and the Kurigata to come loose.

The third and major issue is their customer service - often the sword just shows up with no tracking info and no communication or after service care.

WHERE TO BUY RONIN KATANA

While you can buy direct from their website, some of their policies are quite harsh and customer service can be problematic to deal with (if they even respond at all). As such we recommend you purchase them HERE at Kult of Athena, as they have faster shipping, kinder return policies, better customer service and even prices can be lower depending on their in house QC checks!

OFFICIAL SBG REVIEWS

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I hope this information on Ronin Katana has been helpful. To return to the SBG Sword Manufacturers Dossier from Ronin Katana, click here