Hanwei Tiger Elite Katana Review

The Tiger Elite Katana by Hanwei/Paul Chen is one of their top tier offerings. But for whatever reason, it has been a sword that has never really been properly reviewed..

Yes, there is a good hands on review by Youtuber Matthew Jensen which covers most of the bases.

But there wasn't a classic written review, so Netherlands based Samurai Sword shop owner took it upon himself to write and submit a review of his own. So without any further ado, here it is..

Tiger Elite Katana Review

Review by SBG member Klaver

Its hard to find a decent review about the hanwei tiger elite katana, its one of the premium swords in their classic series.

Although I sell these swords, I try to post a decent review based on martial arts and personal interest.

Let we start with some hard numbers.

Statistics

Nagasa :73,4 cm – 2,42 Shaku
Tsuka : 29,5 cm (incl. fuchi and kashira)
Weight 1320 gram excl. Saya
Motohaba :3,4 cm
Motokasane : 8 mm
Sakihaba:2,6 cm
Sakikasane: 5,2 mm
POB : 15,5 cm
Sori: 1,98 cm

The design or sugata is shinogi zukuri without a hi and chu-kissaki (lmedium size/4 cm). This sword has a geometric or polished kissaki, I would say the width and the length of the kissaki are in good proportion with this sword.

The tiger elite katana is handforged and folded from Swedish K120C powder steel and differentially hardened and water quenched. On the Hira-ji honestly the midare based on notare hamon with a strong itame and mokume hada makes the blade very active.

tiger elite swedish powder steel blade up close

It has a tight hada and gives a traditional appearance. The shinogi ji has nice mirror polish, with gives a nice transition and the tori sori gives it nice flow.

The tsuka is 29,5 cm inclusive the fuchi and kashira and the black japanese cotton ito on this katana is very tight. The tsuka is not to thick and slightly rikko curved with real same and pegged with two mekugi. All the fittings are made from bronzed blackened iron with golden details. For me personal I like simple but those fittings here are not to shining. After studying I started to appreciate it more and more.

On the tsuba you can find the tiger stalking for the next prey. The only thing maybe is the bamboo menuki is more shiny in contrast with the other koshirae.

You cannot overlook the excellent black saya.

It features a buffalo horn koiguchi, kurigata and kojiri with very high quality black sageo. The fit is tight and I do not hear any rattle. I know for the middle and high end swords they make custom saya now. You can see with inlaid bamboo leaves. The saya is finished in a distinctive black matte/gloss banded finish on the Koiguchi area.

This Tiger is an elite Katana, that means the purpose is frequent cutting and advanced drawing practice. I have done some cutting on soft targets (tatami) and this went very well, I am sure it can also be used for hard targets.

Out of the box you can find an unknotted sageo, which tells me already this sword needs to be used and not for decoration. The weight of this katana is around 1320 gram, thats on the heavy side for me, but due to the ergonomically tsuka I have no noticed it very much while handling.

I appreciate as a collector this well made sword, it has no hi which is my taste for cutting and most critical things comes up to me is the menuki and weight and maybe some high quality samegawa, I do not see any great nodes.

Thanks for reading.

WHERE TO BUY

The MSRP on the Tiger Elite Katana is $1649 which is a little on the 'too high' side for what it is. While it can be found online for less, the very best price for it is right HERE at the SBG Sword Store where it is avaiable for just $1,199.99

I hope this review of the Hanwei Tiger Elite Katana has been helpful. To return to High Quality Katana from Hanwei Tiger Elite Katana review, click here