The vast majority of these Ivory or bone mounted Japanese swords were made for the tourist trade of the late 1800's to early 1920's and contained low quality blades. High quality examples are seen occasionally but the rule of thumb is these are tourist pieces and reside in the curio & oddity section of Japanese swords and were always ornamental in nature.
I was just about to say that. To add to it, many of the blades in bone mounts were just pieces of knife-shaped metal. I usually see them as tanto and kodachi, and haven't seen many katana mounts like this. Here's a real one for those who wants to have a look: i.pinimg.com/originals/46/5f/4f/465f4f3e7a0561b25701ce17210976db.jpg
When you bought a Sword from Sal you had to call him and tell him about yourself and why you wanted it. He said it was his way of getting to know the people that were buying his product. I have his Classic #70 with a Paul Chen Blade. According to Sal D'Aquila, Yes, they were intentionally aged and the handle is made from Carbon Fiber and Kevlar with a full Tang. Mine is super sharp and cuts a lot easier than the one you are using.
given the variety of blades used, lots of mixed experiences cutting are expected. Anyway, having to tell Sal about yourself before buying is interesting. I had not heard that before. Thank you for the info.
Yes, I personally had a long conversation with him before I had my Genei with bushido blade made by him. Genei is his version of Connor’s from the movie. I had a disagreement whether to put seppas on my sword. Without them the katana feels incomplete. He really insisted that it wasn’t needed lol, due to it permanently mounted. Disassembling for cleaning wasn’t necessary. When Texas Props took over I ordered my Season one with the seppa. Each swords are actually very different. Sal’s Pointgallery handle is thinner than Texas Props Pointgallery. The panel from True Season one is also reversed than of that Musashi Season one. Also the true S1 has the rough feel. The Duncan musashi S1 is meant to look very old. Imperfections is what makes it its own. I have 2 musashi S1, a true S1 and Genei. I prefer the musashi S1.
I’ve got the entire background and story of the original Katana, #366 made by Marto Spain in the 80’s/90’s. The hilt is the same as what point gallery uses. The original had no dragon head. Sal D’Agula was a master craftsman whom I knew and spoke to semi-often. The Point Gallery Highlander Katana is made of layers of Kevlar and is held on by a pin or 2. They are the finest “ivorite” type compound available. Marto’s #366 was available in Ivory, Silver, and bronze. The blade was 440C stainless Steel. It’s not a weak sword. Only after they added the dragon head and named it the #417 by Marto or Martespa in Toledo Spain. The dragon head began without a bronze collar. I know that I broke heads off. They were replaced. But in the show, they must have broken hundreds. That’s when the bronze collar was installed to stop the shattering. If you have any questions beyond this, I’m available on Facebook. Thomas Adams (same photo). I’ve never heard of the other company you say makes the “Connor” Katana. I think if they hurt your hands, they should be sanded a bit to take down or round the jagged parts. Or wear gloves Man. By the way, to me, the ULTIMATE Indestructible Katana is the 1st season hilt with the bronze finish, with a Chenness 9260 spring steel SGC Katana. It’s not differentially tempered, it’s a low cost blade but I have seen it chop wood! And ring like a bell. No damage. Watch some of the crazy acid tests they put these blades through! On chenness.com
Matthew, I would love to see you do another video on Point Gallery swords. This you bought was the musashi, which is similar to the season one but not the actual season one. And the season is actually crisper while actually looking older, and just an FYI, that head would have never come off. But I would love if you got in touch with Mark and had a season one done with a better blade like a t10 or hanwei raptor and one of his own carves based on the Connor sword, the Markano.
I have one from Sal the Genei version on Paul Chen Bushido blade. Unfortunately by the time I got a Musashi it was taken over by Texas Steel Props. (It was used on their website main page as promo pic 🤘🏼.) Right after Sal had passed. I ended up getting a Season One again. That's my avatar 😆.
Man when holding your sword 3 fingers only at each end this will allow for a much better struck. The key is when you hear a swoosh sound that when you know you made an exact cut. Back head coming down first.
the Duncan Katana is pretty much just another older designs Marto of Spain already had. they just added the dragon head,either seamlessly molded/cast over or just the end cap .They also had a variation that had a Buddha cap instead of the dragons head
...Sal D'Aquila was on the properties team for the first season an a half of the Highlander tv series. This dragon head handle was the show original for Duncan. I myself own one of the Practical Plus versions. The "muddied effect was done intentionally to age the handle. If memory serves this was done by request. He may have possibly used the original molds for the Kevlar handle.The producers/production company managed to work a deal with the sword makers at Marto To produce a commercial wall hanger that could be marketed. Once the deal was made the updated version of the handle, designed to match the Marto version, was used in the show throughout is run. Marto produced a series of film/tv/historical and ceremonial swords essentially for display purposes...
Point Gallery was sold to Daryl Kyle of Texas Steel Props and Replicas a while back. He's been the one that made the decision to use any blade you want. Sal only used Practical Plus blades from Hanwei or the Bushido from Hanwei if the customer wanted a folded steel blade. There is also the Genei, which is built the same, but based off the original prop from the first movie.
Actually the first 50 used Kris Cutlery 29inch blade blanks. Kris cutlery used 5160 steel which can't take a hamon the traditional way so the first 50 had no hamon
The origin of the sword in the show is a weird one because the early episodes implies it WAS Connor's sword with Connor using a different katana in the pilot and Duncan telling Joan Jett's character it was a gift from his clansmen But then the story with Hideo was grafted on as a retcon in a later season
One of my favorite MJ sword reviews.The Musashi and Season One tsukas are different models from Point Gallery so which one is this? Ziest is making great Highlander 1 versions again with a Cloudhammer blades. Im trying to decide which one to order. I like PG they have a T-10 Musashi complete sword starting at $850. but the Season One tsuka with a T-10 blade deal starts at $1250. One review said they mounted his blade so it could be removed for cleaning or repairs.
The tsuba is literally two fighting clocks. It was a popular motif in the meiji era and just before.. The one from the show and the ones used here are copies of a particular historical example, thus the muddy details (the historical one was iron and has diminished over the years)
There is an armoury shop in Brighton called The Lanes armoury they have two rare samurai swords made with ivory and Bone.. the katana that they have is something really really special..🏯🇯🇵
On May 1 of this year my house burned down and I lost several irreplaceable collectors swords, chiefly my Sal Point Gallery katana. I've never practiced with a better balanced and more comfortable blade. I don't know if that Texas company is even still in business to try and replace it.
Matthew Jensen well apparently my two swords won’t chew my hands up while swinging the blade. The Duncan MacLeod blade also has a cheap shine like a butter knife.
Always wanted one but too pricey. I thought about getting a cheap one and bracing it up with epoxy stuff is like cement anyway nicely done on the video cool to see
I have one an it doesn't hurt my hands only thing I dont like about mine is it is pretty much a strait blade not much sori at all . Out of all my swords it feel the best in my hands . Grip wise . Love ur videos . I would wonder if you could do a review on a jkoo swords t10 tsunami wild style hamon sword . I can find no reviews on that peticular sword anywhere
one time I attended both a sword cutting class in the Twin Cities and a Kendo class. Both things were held in what seemed to be an old basement/bowling alley. That sound correct?
The tsuba doesn't picture two roosters but two PHOENIXES. Then you SHOULD put your bottom hand on the dragon head kashira even if just a little, in order to get a more balanced grip and purer swings. If you try hard to avoid it, you'll end up with your hands too close to each other, resulting in a nasty unbalanced stance. Proof is in the way you strike: you are using the WRONG hand to swing! Katana are swung using the bottom hand to input strength. The top hand is the leading hand, meant to give the vector. That's why your little finger is the most important finger as a kenshi. Because without it your cuts have less to no power. Last word, I find it funny you didn't even mention Marto USA, who are the official manufacturer for the Highlander license blades.
I bought mine directly from point gallery and the blade broke during cutting practice. When I called Sal to see if I can do anything about fixing it all I could accomplish was him asking me to return the guard because they're handmade and numbered.
@@Matthew_Jensen wanted to. But no. I ended up modifying the handle so that I could put a new blade in it. I know it's a bit nerdy but man I love this sword!
Thank you very much for this video! I subscribed 3 minutes into it. I have the 200 dollar marto katana. I am going to buy the point gallery combat ready season one. Its my favorite. Do they have good balance? Also I'm 6'2.5 216lbs. Do they have one for my size. I am a martial artist of many styles. So do not worry about any tips or information. Thanks again sir
I think they can put any blade in the fittings you want, so you could find something that fits you. Int terms of balance, it will depend on what you put on it, though I would say it is not terribly comfortable.
Matthew. I wish you could review mine as I have the only Albion version of the Connor katana. Albion lost the license before these went into production. Albion contracted rick Barrett to build the blades and mount them on the handles. The handles were hand carved by Jose De braga. Point gallery as well as zeist has recasts of these original Albion handles so they have lost detail and appear sloppy imo . just to be clear Albion didn't produce the sal de Aquila season 1 you reviewed. Only the first film with Connor Macleod. Long story short I went through hell getting he parts from Albion as well as convincing Rick Barrett to build a blade and mount it for me. Lol. Like the film it is the only one of its kind.lol!!! Balanced perfectly with no flaws. I'm really disappointed in the craftsmanship of point gallery's swords as well as the prices their asking for that quality so I had one built myself from the best
Perhaps I am guilty of hyperbole. That said, the Kris Kutlery Hanbon sword that was used in this used to retail for around $200.. Not sure what it was when it went into this sword but it is not as high end as some of the Hanwei Bushido, Ronin Dojo Elite, or Rick Barrett katana I have seen mounted in the handle. Do you have a ballpark for what these sword cost today?
Matthew Jensen it all depends on blades .. the musashi there is not the season one so they go for less.. and since taking over from Sal and after his death we dropped the prices to still be awesome but more affordable . So a t10 blade and the carbon Kevlar handle would be around 700.. now the actual season one jumps considerably .. much like the film swords and such.. but we do More on Instagram and Facebook business so please go check it out and message me
LOL 😂 I know that opening was supposed to be a parody but it was actually kind bad ass
The vast majority of these Ivory or bone mounted Japanese swords were made for the tourist trade of the late 1800's to early 1920's and contained low quality blades. High quality examples are seen occasionally but the rule of thumb is these are tourist pieces and reside in the curio & oddity section of Japanese swords and were always ornamental in nature.
I was just about to say that. To add to it, many of the blades in bone mounts were just pieces of knife-shaped metal. I usually see them as tanto and kodachi, and haven't seen many katana mounts like this. Here's a real one for those who wants to have a look: i.pinimg.com/originals/46/5f/4f/465f4f3e7a0561b25701ce17210976db.jpg
Great info , thank you.
When you bought a Sword from Sal you had to call him and tell him about yourself and why you wanted it. He said it was his way of getting to know the people that were buying his product. I have his Classic #70 with a Paul Chen Blade. According to Sal D'Aquila, Yes, they were intentionally aged and the handle is made from Carbon Fiber and Kevlar with a full Tang. Mine is super sharp and cuts a lot easier than the one you are using.
given the variety of blades used, lots of mixed experiences cutting are expected. Anyway, having to tell Sal about yourself before buying is interesting. I had not heard that before. Thank you for the info.
Yes, I personally had a long conversation with him before I had my Genei with bushido blade made by him. Genei is his version of Connor’s from the movie. I had a disagreement whether to put seppas on my sword. Without them the katana feels incomplete. He really insisted that it wasn’t needed lol, due to it permanently mounted. Disassembling for cleaning wasn’t necessary. When Texas Props took over I ordered my Season one with the seppa. Each swords are actually very different. Sal’s Pointgallery handle is thinner than Texas Props Pointgallery. The panel from True Season one is also reversed than of that Musashi Season one. Also the true S1 has the rough feel. The Duncan musashi S1 is meant to look very old. Imperfections is what makes it its own. I have 2 musashi S1, a true S1 and Genei. I prefer the musashi S1.
I’ve got the entire background and story of the original Katana, #366 made by Marto Spain in the 80’s/90’s. The hilt is the same as what point gallery uses. The original had no dragon head. Sal D’Agula was a master craftsman whom I knew and spoke to semi-often. The Point Gallery Highlander Katana is made of layers of Kevlar and is held on by a pin or 2. They are the finest “ivorite” type compound available. Marto’s #366 was available in Ivory, Silver, and bronze. The blade was 440C stainless Steel. It’s not a weak sword. Only after they added the dragon head and named it the #417 by Marto or Martespa in Toledo Spain. The dragon head began without a bronze collar. I know that I broke heads off. They were replaced. But in the show, they must have broken hundreds. That’s when the bronze collar was installed to stop the shattering. If you have any questions beyond this, I’m available on Facebook. Thomas Adams (same photo). I’ve never heard of the other company you say makes the “Connor” Katana. I think if they hurt your hands, they should be sanded a bit to take down or round the jagged parts. Or wear gloves Man. By the way, to me, the ULTIMATE Indestructible Katana is the 1st season hilt with the bronze finish, with a Chenness 9260 spring steel SGC Katana. It’s not differentially tempered, it’s a low cost blade but I have seen it chop wood! And ring like a bell. No damage. Watch some of the crazy acid tests they put these blades through! On chenness.com
Matthew, I would love to see you do another video on Point Gallery swords. This you bought was the musashi, which is similar to the season one but not the actual season one. And the season is actually crisper while actually looking older, and just an FYI, that head would have never come off. But I would love if you got in touch with Mark and had a season one done with a better blade like a t10 or hanwei raptor and one of his own carves based on the Connor sword, the Markano.
That was an awesome intro brother 🤜🤛
I have one from Sal the Genei version on Paul Chen Bushido blade. Unfortunately by the time I got a Musashi it was taken over by Texas Steel Props. (It was used on their website main page as promo pic 🤘🏼.) Right after Sal had passed. I ended up getting a Season One again. That's my avatar 😆.
Man when holding your sword 3 fingers only at each end this will allow for a much better struck. The key is when you hear a swoosh sound that when you know you made an exact cut. Back head coming down first.
the Duncan Katana is pretty much just another older designs Marto of Spain already had. they just added the dragon head,either seamlessly molded/cast over or just the end cap .They also had a variation that had a Buddha cap instead of the dragons head
That show was awsome back in the day.
Just an FYI Texas Steel and Props is the company that Sal D'Aquila's Point Gallery was bought by after his death.
...Sal D'Aquila was on the properties team for the first season an a half of the Highlander tv series. This dragon head handle was the show original for Duncan. I myself own one of the Practical Plus versions. The "muddied effect was done intentionally to age the handle. If memory serves this was done by request. He may have possibly used the original molds for the Kevlar handle.The producers/production company managed to work a deal with the sword makers at Marto To produce a commercial wall hanger that could be marketed. Once the deal was made the updated version of the handle, designed to match the Marto version, was used in the show throughout is run. Marto produced a series of film/tv/historical and ceremonial swords essentially for display purposes...
Point Gallery was sold to Daryl Kyle of Texas Steel Props and Replicas a while back. He's been the one that made the decision to use any blade you want. Sal only used Practical Plus blades from Hanwei or the Bushido from Hanwei if the customer wanted a folded steel blade. There is also the Genei, which is built the same, but based off the original prop from the first movie.
Actually the first 50 used Kris Cutlery 29inch blade blanks. Kris cutlery used 5160 steel which can't take a hamon the traditional way so the first 50 had no hamon
The origin of the sword in the show is a weird one because the early episodes implies it WAS Connor's sword with Connor using a different katana in the pilot and Duncan telling Joan Jett's character it was a gift from his clansmen
But then the story with Hideo was grafted on as a retcon in a later season
One of my favorite MJ sword reviews.The Musashi and Season One tsukas are different models from Point Gallery so which one is this? Ziest is making great Highlander 1 versions again with a Cloudhammer blades. Im trying to decide which one to order. I like PG they have a T-10 Musashi complete sword starting at $850. but the Season One tsuka with a T-10 blade deal starts at $1250. One review said they mounted his blade so it could be removed for cleaning or repairs.
Hahaha... Brother, you've outdone yourself with the intro! xD Good video!
When I bought mine it was advertised as a carbon fiber core with Kevlar pressed around it
You do great videos..! I appreciate it please dont stop..!
glad you like em
The tsuba is literally two fighting clocks. It was a popular motif in the meiji era and just before..
The one from the show and the ones used here are copies of a particular historical example, thus the muddy details (the historical one was iron and has diminished over the years)
use a magnet to check the tang length.
Nice collection!! Is that handle made out of Micarta? Hmm.. doesn't sound like it is! Do you sharpen the sword yourself? Nice Kata!
There is an armoury shop in Brighton called The Lanes armoury they have two rare samurai swords made with ivory and Bone.. the katana that they have is something really really special..🏯🇯🇵
Awesome video! Thank you for uploading
On May 1 of this year my house burned down and I lost several irreplaceable collectors swords, chiefly my Sal Point Gallery katana. I've never practiced with a better balanced and more comfortable blade. I don't know if that Texas company is even still in business to try and replace it.
They are, and the point gallery website is back up and running as well.
Wow I considered buying that highlander sword before I purchased my Hanwei 47 Ronin and Citadel Ocean.. It looks like a made the best choice.
but how does it compare to the citadel ocean?
Matthew Jensen well apparently my two swords won’t chew my hands up while swinging the blade. The Duncan MacLeod blade also has a cheap shine like a butter knife.
OOO I have had butter knives with better polishes on them.
Hi! I'm Candy... :)
Of course you are ...
... Of course you are !!! =)
Would be cool to have a carved hardwood version, wonder if anyone's done it?
Always wanted one but too pricey. I thought about getting a cheap one and bracing it up with epoxy stuff is like cement anyway nicely done on the video cool to see
The Dragon Head Tsuka is so amazing
That intro is awesome!
Hideous sword, but excellent review. Props for cutting tatami with it, no pun intended
That's some meta movie reference you've got there XD The signature, I mean.
I have one an it doesn't hurt my hands only thing I dont like about mine is it is pretty much a strait blade not much sori at all . Out of all my swords it feel the best in my hands . Grip wise . Love ur videos . I would wonder if you could do a review on a jkoo swords t10 tsunami wild style hamon sword . I can find no reviews on that peticular sword anywhere
It is meant to be warn down. Kyle purposely goes to great extent to age it. If your a devout fan you will understand.
Vincent Valerio yup! No one will ever have the same sword ever! Each is its own!
Very thorough video. Thank you!
you are welcome
Keep this intro for every review😂😂
one time I attended both a sword cutting class in the Twin Cities and a Kendo class.
Both things were held in what seemed to be an old basement/bowling alley.
That sound correct?
yep
All the point gallery sword blades are chosen by the buyer, and I've just got the handle and now has an iaido blade.
What do you think about Swords of Northshire custom katana for a very first sword?
The sower of the rambling.😂
😂 damn that was a good intro I used to watch that show so much
The tsuba doesn't picture two roosters but two PHOENIXES. Then you SHOULD put your bottom hand on the dragon head kashira even if just a little, in order to get a more balanced grip and purer swings. If you try hard to avoid it, you'll end up with your hands too close to each other, resulting in a nasty unbalanced stance. Proof is in the way you strike: you are using the WRONG hand to swing! Katana are swung using the bottom hand to input strength. The top hand is the leading hand, meant to give the vector. That's why your little finger is the most important finger as a kenshi. Because without it your cuts have less to no power.
Last word, I find it funny you didn't even mention Marto USA, who are the official manufacturer for the Highlander license blades.
I bought mine directly from point gallery and the blade broke during cutting practice. When I called Sal to see if I can do anything about fixing it all I could accomplish was him asking me to return the guard because they're handmade and numbered.
You did not get it fitted to another handle?
@@Matthew_Jensen wanted to. But no. I ended up modifying the handle so that I could put a new blade in it. I know it's a bit nerdy but man I love this sword!
P.s. do you have an Instagram based around your sword reviews?
I do not, should I?
@@Matthew_Jensen holy crap yes! the drunk reviews are great! funny as can be!
Great sword for highlander the series season 1
The sword is from season 1
Si
Loved the intro
That intro! Nice :)
I've often wondered if anyone ever made a usable version of this...
god I want one of these...
Thank you very much for this video! I subscribed 3 minutes into it. I have the 200 dollar marto katana. I am going to buy the point gallery combat ready season one. Its my favorite. Do they have good balance? Also I'm 6'2.5 216lbs. Do they have one for my size. I am a martial artist of many styles. So do not worry about any tips or information. Thanks again sir
I think they can put any blade in the fittings you want, so you could find something that fits you. Int terms of balance, it will depend on what you put on it, though I would say it is not terribly comfortable.
@@Matthew_Jensen Unfortunately Point Gallery has gone down hill after Sal sold it.
Matthew. I wish you could review mine as I have the only Albion version of the Connor katana. Albion lost the license before these went into production. Albion contracted rick Barrett to build the blades and mount them on the handles. The handles were hand carved by Jose De braga. Point gallery as well as zeist has recasts of these original Albion handles so they have lost detail and appear sloppy imo . just to be clear Albion didn't produce the sal de Aquila season 1 you reviewed. Only the first film with Connor Macleod. Long story short I went through hell getting he parts from Albion as well as convincing Rick Barrett to build a blade and mount it for me. Lol. Like the film it is the only one of its kind.lol!!! Balanced perfectly with no flaws. I'm really disappointed in the craftsmanship of point gallery's swords as well as the prices their asking for that quality so I had one built myself from the best
That sounds very cool Interesting piece for sure, do you have any photos you could share?
Matthew Jensen andolutley
How would you like me to send them
link to my facebook for the channel is in the description, best to send them there.
Matthew Jensen thks. Sent a few to your messenger
these swords are intentionally aged
pretty cool good info
So many typos.... :) "Highlander" "Duncan MacLeod"
hopefully better at reviewing than spelling... Thanks for the heads up (I fixed the title)
@@Matthew_Jensen I liked the misspelling.
Love the show. Meh about the hilt design.
Randy Jackson!
I like the Conner sword better.
The intro was funny as shit!
I am not deleting your comments.
🤣🤣🤣 I love the intro.
If Morgan Freeman was in Highlander my life would be complete
We don’t mount handles on 50 dollar swords lol FYI
Perhaps I am guilty of hyperbole. That said, the Kris Kutlery Hanbon sword that was used in this used to retail for around $200.. Not sure what it was when it went into this sword but it is not as high end as some of the Hanwei Bushido, Ronin Dojo Elite, or Rick Barrett katana I have seen mounted in the handle. Do you have a ballpark for what these sword cost today?
Matthew Jensen it all depends on blades .. the musashi there is not the season one so they go for less.. and since taking over from Sal and after his death we dropped the prices to still be awesome but more affordable . So a t10 blade and the carbon Kevlar handle would be around 700.. now the actual season one jumps considerably .. much like the film swords and such.. but we do More on Instagram and Facebook business so please go check it out and message me
Great intro 😂😂
"helicopter of death" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Two Ton Epoxy and a good mood and wooden saw dust and you can make one just like that with a special off white paint 😂.
He stole that from Sean Connery
the truth is that you are so handsome m8 ^^
Morgan Freeman broke into your house again!
It is weird right? He keeps breaking in and narrating things for my videos. Its an odd thing but I can't argue...
i see all those swords and i think subscribe
21:45 I don't think mr Paul likes you, seriously.
I can't tell how he felt. Then again, he is an actor so..
It would be helpful if you actually knew somrthing about what you were talking about. Some study would help.
Any specific point make you doubt my competence?
LoL 😂
I really enjoy yoir videos.
Glad you like them!