Are you looking for an authentic Japanese katana for display or live use? If so, I would like to give my hearty recommendation for the Cold Steel Battle Ready Dragonfly Katana for many reasons.
You know as well as I do that it’s hard to find a real katana that has the three main features: Attractive design, high quality, and able to be used for live action. In my experience (and I’m sure you’d agree), most swords stop at the appealing design! Well, the Dragonfly Katana has all three and more.
Let’s talk first about its looks, which really are appealing and first-class. The sword itself looks like any other katana at first, but upon closer investigation, it reveals several distinct traits. First, the handle is wrapped in a kind of aqua green, silk cord-wrap, which provides an attractive appearance while retaining a secure grip. The wrap does not become unraveled easily, as is the case with many other swords. Secondly, the sword is true to its name and features dragonfly images on the pommel and guard. These images are hand-carved and really demonstrate an eye for detail. The scabbard is a traditional black lacquer wood, which is known for its quality and durability.
The second thing we’re looking for is high quality, which the Dragonfly Katana delivers. As you hold the sword in your hand, its feel says anything but “cheap.” As I said before, the handle* is well-designed and fits perfectly in the hand. The katana is very well-balanced and does not feel clumsy when wielding, which is owed in part to its full-tang assembly. Unfortunately, many replica swords (and some originals) are too blade-heavy or handle-heavy, resulting in an extra effort required on the part of the user. This is not so with the Dragonfly Katana; it literally feels like an extension of your arm and can be used just as easily. However, these things are just details: the blade is the most important part of the sword, and the manufacturer obviously realizes this. The blade is very strong, which is necessary for live action use. As previously stated, the blade is full-tang, meaning that the steel continues into the handle and is not merely glued onto the guard. The full-tang construction gives far better balance and more durability than a half-tang blade.
Lastly, the suitability for live action use is what sets the Dragonfly Katana apart from all the rest. In today’s market, it is rare to find a sword that is both razor-sharp and able to be used in actual combat — you either get a sharp sword that’s for display only, or a dull one to use for combat. It is refreshing to find a break from that tradition, but at the same time, it needs to be stated that the user should practice utmost caution with this sword, since it really is VERY sharp and dangerous if used improperly.
The Dragonfly Katana is certainly an incredible sword for the price. It’s my opinion that any serious sword enthusiast should pick up this weapon right away! Click here to check it out.
