New Generation Golden Oriole Katana

[bad_dad_brad]

If you are looking for an entry level katana for primarily display, although it will cut - albeit a delicate blade, you might try the new generation Golden Oriole by Paul Chen.

This blade is not to be compared with prior swords of the same name. The new generation corrects many flaws of the old blade and this new blade is very very beautiful and appears cosmetically almost flawless.

I recently purchased one from knifecenter.com and am very happy with this purchase. The dark royal blue scabard and hilt are quite unique, and the blade is very slender with a pronounced temper line. The blade is highly polished and very sharp.

This steel was purchased for about $480 bucks and I have to say, well worth the price for an entry level katana if you want good looks and presentation - again that blue color makes this sword unique against the usual black.

But make sure you get the new generation.

Attached are a few pics but these do not do this sword justice.

 

[Stickjockey]

That's one pretty bit o' cuttin' steel, there!

Just out of curiosity, just what do you mean by "delicate?" Delicate as in finely designed, or delicate as in fragile?

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Stickjockey:

Delicate as in a very long light thin blade. I think it will cut but not too much. Very pretty though and that's why I bought it. I don't intend to cut anything with it. Just for presentation and looking at.

 

[Boats]

Not to be obtuse, but if it cannot truly function as a sword should, why bother?

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I don't think anyone would want to be on the receiving end of this katana.

It will cut. It is very sharp.

I just don't think the blade is up to a lot of abuse.

Why bother? Because it is beautiful.

 

[Soap]

The GO will cut and not break. I would feel comfortable using it for tameshigiri but I wouldn't test the limits of it aggressively.

 

[TMM]

i have never really been one for japanese swords, but i have always admired them for thier fantastic craftsmanship. if i came across a cheap paul chen, i may consider it, because they're such good lookers.

~TMM

 

[Gunz]

The Golden Oriole name has confused me over the years. Some runs hae been classed as cheap pot iron blades, and some have been respected as an entry-level quality blade. I gues Paul Chen has either made some in his forge, or had some other outfit copy for mass production at some point.

I did see a post on GOlden Oriole by Bugei a few years ago, and that was supposedly layered steel from Swedish powdered steel.

So how does the new one compared to the Bugei offering?

 

[Soap]

AFAIK Bugei never offered the GO. It is a standard production model and Bugei only offers the ones where they do the tsuka work in-house.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

My impression of the current Paul Chen Golden Oriole blade is that is forged and not at all folded.

The artistic points of this piece are outstanding. The tsuba is lovely. The scabbard is painted a clear dark royal blue lacquer. The handle's wrapping is quality and matches this color. This is a lovely sword.

As stated I believe the blade is forged, yet delicate in it's taper, polished, and very sharp. The wavy temper lines I think are an artists bead blasted steel. They have that appearance--a faux randomness. Nevertheless this blade is quite attractive and worth the $500 dollars.

Don't be confused, this is not a $1200 dollar blade but it is an honest attempt to mimic the look of such.

A pretty thing.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

And the GO blade is definitely not pot metal. This is quality high carbon steel.

 

[AechKay]

Hrmm.

I've never used this blade before but what you paid for that is not "entry level" at all. Don't worry about how the sword cuts, I used to rock a Paul Chen Practical Katana , for a while ($180-ish if I remember). If the practicioner knows how to cut right, it wont make a difference. I mean, yea a HC 1080 forge MIGHT give you a bit of an edge, but I'd call this sword more intermediate level. Also, depending on what you cut.. Beach Mat, Tatami, etc will also factor in. I beat on my PC PK....really romped on it like it was a loaner car. It still cuts

I'll follow up with some pics of me cutting with the PK ...if I can find them.

Thanks,

AechKay