Custom Made Katana by ShadowDancer Reviews

4.6 Rating 33 Reviews

About Swordis:

Swordis, an online retail store, specializes in a wide array of swords, showcasing selections from some of the most esteemed brands in the industry. This emerging startup has expanded its scope by incorporating SwordEncyclopedia, a blog known for its extensive sword resources and recognized as a leading authority in this niche. Swordis' shop section offers an impressive range of over 1000 products in various categories. Their collection not only includes Japanese swords, Historical European Swords, and Military swords, but also extends to specialized items such as Technical knives, machetes, and a fascinating variety of fantasy swords and more. Featuring 19 distinguished brands, Swordis caters to a diverse clientele, ranging from historical enthusiasts to imaginative collectors.

Visit Product Page

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“I received my custom ordered Shadowdancer katana after roughly 6 months, as was stated. It arrived exactly as ordered. It is a very beautiful sword. Excellent blade geometry, very smooth mirror polish, tsuka wrapped very nicely and tight, and fittings all felt very secure. The ordering process was quite simple. The custom sword builder on Swordis' website was very easy to use. They are also very responsive to questions. I am very happy with this purchase. Thank you Swordis and Shadowdancer!”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 weeks ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Commissioned a custom katana from Shadow Dancer and the results were mixed. The blade itself is beautifully executed — clean geometry, well-finished surfaces, and the habaki is properly fitted so the sword retains securely when inverted. On the blade work alone, the skill is evident. The rest of the package didn’t match that standard. The nakago finish is inconsistent with the quality of the blade and feels rushed. The seppa came stained despite being new fittings, and the file work on the rim is poorly executed — uneven and not what you’d expect on a commissioned piece. The saya has a noticeable rattle at the kissaki end, meaning the interior channel is bored too loose at the tip. The koiguchi fit is adequate, but the blade shouldn’t be moving laterally inside the saya at all — that’s a risk to the kissaki over time. None of these issues are uncorrectable, but on a custom commission they shouldn’t be present on delivery. If you’re considering Shadow Dancer, the blade work is worth the conversation — just be prepared to push back on fittings and saya fit, and inspect carefully before accepting the piece.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Hi Justin, Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed review — it's clear you know your swords, and we really appreciate the level of feedback you've given us. The issues you've described with the seppa staining, file work, and saya fit aren't things we want to leave as-is on a custom commission. Could you reach out to our customer service team with a few photos of the points you mentioned? We'd like to review them with our smiths at ShadowDancer and figure out the best way to make this right for you. Thank you again for your patience and for giving us the chance to address this. Kind regards, The Swordis Team

Posted 1 month ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“My custom Shinryū Shiden from ShadowDancer is absolutely stunning. It is an impressive example of the craftsmanship that fully justifies its six-month production time. The Tamahagane blade with Kobuse construction, finished with a Sashikomi A+ polish provides exceptional clarity to the hamon. In addition to the blade itself, what makes the investment worthwhile is the superior fit and finish. The mitsudomoe fittings are cleanly cast in black brass and silver. The handle construction, where the Hishigami Pro wrap is perfectly tight and symmetrical, paired with a custom-carved tsuka, seamlessly transitions between the fuchi, kashira, and ray skin. Every line is clean. Every element is solidly fixed to the next. Ultimately, this purchase was well worth the cost because it delivers the performance and precision of what I wanted in a bespoke katana and still stands out as functional art I can proudly pass on through the years. Using the online app made selecting the right options easy, and communication was excellent throughout the entire process. Swordis customer service is incredibly helpful and responded quickly to any of my questions or inquiries. I will definitely order from here again.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Was really excited to find out the katana we picked for my husband's best friend's birthday had been delivered...only to find that it was the wooden holder, no katana. Sent in an email and have been told it's being looked into but haven't heard anything. From the pictures we were sent it's beautiful...now to only get it here. Will update if possible once katana gets here.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Great customer service! I always got fast answers and my extra wishes got fulfilled! I'm absolutely happy with my sword. It looks great, feels good in my hands, and the cutting tests where successful. I would definitely buy here again!”