Custom Made Katana by ShadowDancer Lite Reviews

5 Rating 56 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.

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How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“I chose blade elements according to my budget of $500 in the Shadowdancer lite builder. I wanted an S7 katana and although I had to min max here and there like choosing a brass tsuba, fuchi, kashira set I was able to stay within my budget. With this lite builder it's easier to stay within the identical price range of a Japanese iaito, albeit with steel instead of an aluminium alloy when you pick 9260 or 1095 steel. It's clear what to do and if you don't know what to do the instructions are clear even for those new to assembling a katana. The customer service was helpful with any questions and things I wanted to know about mekugi and such. Unfortunately, I had some issues - about which more in the katana section below - which required more help of their customer service and boy did they come through! The only downside is having to wait for a replacement after reporting the issues and acting upon what I'm told to do. However, I still recommend Swordis for because they do anything within reason to solve the encountered issues. Now on to the replica katana: I'll start with the good being: the parts concerning safety are done just as well as an iaitō. Those parts are the weight, thickness, and fit of the tsuka and saya are done as well albeit with a different wood - it's definitely not honoki - than a Japanese made iaito. There's no rattle while it's in the saya. The leather tsukamaki with hishigami pro is hard to move and the diamonds are fairly consistent. The transition from tsukamaki to fuchi and kashira is even and there are no sharp edges. The tsuba is also entirely smooth to the touch The balance is roughly 12 cm from the habaki or 14,5 cm from the tsuba either way it's balance is fine for iaido practice as I don't feel any strain on my muscles or joints during test swings, during which I found out it wasn't sharp. Nevertheless even without hi, fuller, with correct cutting angle a hasuji/tachikaze is audible. That said it's weighing 1067 g. without hi compared to my current iaito which weighs 723 g. I'm not sure if using my suburito which weighs almost the same as the Shadowdancer, has made it that I'm not bothered with the increased weight of the katana, but I certainly wouldn't recommend beginners to use a (carbon) steel iaito to prevent injuries and ingraining improper technique unless you're used to handling said weight effortlessly. Now the added sum of it being u sharp with other small issues like a slightly frayed sageo end knot and leather tsukamaki end knot, I've deducted one star from the total. Don't be like me and forget to mention you want glued in shitodome in the comment section before submitting the order if you want them glued in. In short, yes I recommend Swordis and the Shadowdancer lite builder if you're looking to assemble an affordable steel replica katana. When something goes wrong with the order they'll consult with you to solve the issue as long as you stay honest. In this day and age there aren't many businesses that are willing to amicably consult with you in person instead of using AI bots. So I consider this a huge plus!”

Helpful Report

Posted 8 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Definitely the best quality sword I own. The wrap is very tight. Everything very well made. This is now my main training weapon. Very impressed.”

Helpful Report

Posted 8 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Custom lite is great for quility and price ! Great fittings blade cane out great and just over all a pleasant experience! Love how it turned out.”

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Posted 8 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“The katana came to me beautifully packaged and was express shipped. The handle is gorgeous, I really love the way the Hishagami feels in my hands. The sword is incredibly well balanced and sharp as the devil himself. The Ko-choji hamon might be my favorite thing to just look at. The sheath could be better designed, but that would be the only drawback, the sword fits beautifully inside it and it latches pretty tightly. No rattling while sword is sheathed either. I cannot reccomend this product enough and how affordable it is.”

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Posted 8 months ago

Anonymous

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How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Just got my katana and am very pleased with the result. Tsuba is very well made, no sharp edges despite the intricacies, blade is well shaped and very sharp. Hamon is very nice as well Ito is very tight, I chose nubuck with regular hishigami. Saya fit is good, i have to really shake it to get a rattle”

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Posted 9 months ago

Matthew Jensen

Verified Reviewer

Incentivized

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How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Goal was to make somethign cost effective and loud. I was able to pick options that are not listed on the site and make something that might be an eyesore to some but fits what I was looking for. Blade came strait, shapr, free of any defects. Turn time was also quick considering the customized nature of things. $60 hisigami pro was the only thing I would recommend doing that I did not. Tryied to keep the cost down but that hishigami is worth it 100%.”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“The ordering process was quick and easy and delivery was fast. I like the sword very much and feel it came out just like I imagined it would based on the pictures I chose from online. Good system, good sword. Please read my full review on my website cottontailcustoms.com Thanks!”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Shadowdancer custom built with the Swordis "Shadowdancer Lite" custom katana builder. 1095 blade with kesho polish, silk ito with hishigami and a saya upgraded with buffalo horn kojiri and koiguchi. Saya and tsuka are slim, the saya fit is very good with only the slightest rattle when shaking it from side to side. The relief on the fuchigashira is very crisp, the fittings are far better than the usual Longquan parts bin stuff. Configuration is made easy with the builder and it took around a month from ordering until it was delivered and that's including shipping to Germany. A very decent sword for $540. I would recommend the Shadowdancer Lite builder over the Hanbon one if you value less bulky saya & tsuka and better fittings and the other way around if you want an unusual blade profile like unokubi zukuri and better samegawa (at least compared to the the full wrap from Hanbon).”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago