The Paul Chen line of swords produced by Hanwei forge and distributed by CAS Iberia offers a wide range of katanas and other swords.
The practical katana is inexpensive and as such uses lower quality fittings. Then there is the kami katana which utilizes real
same, has very nice koshirae and also costs an arm and a leg. The basic rule when purchasing a Chen blade is that you get what
you pay for. Prices for Paul Chen swords can vary from retailer to retailer, so be sure to find the best combination of
quality control and price. Caveat Emptor.
Practical Katana
The Practial Katana, or PK as it is called, is as the name implies, practical and inexpensive. In order to cut down on costs, the fit and finish
on the PK series is not as well done as one might like. The fuchi, kashira, tsuba and menuki are traditional in appearance but are also very plain.
The saya is mass produced, so a nice fit on a PK is not something to expect.
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive, "beater" katana, look no further than the PK.
Practical Fantasy Katana
The Practical Fantasy Katana(PFK) is an in-between step from the PK to the PPK. The PFK is a newer sword released by CAS Iberia. The difference
between the PK and PFK include leather ito, nicer tsuba, different menuki and a notare(wave) hamon. Also, the tuska is not epoxied to the nakago.
Review of the PFK
Practical Plus Katana
The Paul Chen Practical Plus Katana(PPK) is a step up from the PK. The PPK utilizes real same rather than plastic, leather ito and has nicer fit
and finish than the PK.
PPK Review
Tokugawa
Tokugawa review
Tsunami
Info
Wind and Thunder
The Wind and Thunder is a rather new offering from Hanwei. I don't know much about it.
Wind and Thunder review
Musashi
The Musashi katana is very big. It features a double cucumber tsuba and has better fit and finish than the PPK series. The polish is a bit nicer,
and the tsuka is quite long, 14 3/4". The blade is 30 1/4".
Musashi katana info
Shinto
The Shinto Katana also features a nicer polish and nicer koshirae than the PPK series. Unlike the Musashi katana, the Shinto not as large, the blade
being 28" and the tuska being 11". The tsuba depicts a dragon.
Shinto review
Golden Oriole
The Golden Oriole is a bit beefier than the Orchid katana. The Oriole also features a blue theme and a very nice tsuba. The tsuka is a bit long
for some, 14". The koshirae is a bit nicer than the Shinto and Musashi series, hence the bigger price ticket.
SomeInfo on the oriole
Bushido
The Bushido katana represents the bottom rung of the folded version of the Paul Chen series, and like all of the folded series, the kissaki is
better defined and the yokote is easily apparent. The Bushido katana features a very nice hada(grain),
a better polish than the Musashi & Shinto line and much nicer fittings. The koshirae is a warrior motif, the saya is lacquered a golden brown with
gold flakes as decoration. The saya is also hand carved for the folded swords, meaning a nicer saya/blade fit.
Review of Bushido katana
Tiger
The Tiger katana is a step up from the Bushido Katana. The saya is lacquered
black with brass flakes and the koshirae utilizes a tiger motif. The tsuka on this model is a bit longer than the bushido, being 13 1/2".
The Tiger also features a bohi.
Tiger katana review
Orchid
The Orchid katana is like the tiger in that it is a step up from the bushido. What is different about the orchid is the blade geometry. The orchid
is thinner and lighter. The orchid does not feature a bohi. The saya is lacquered blue and is not entirely traditional. The orchid is a very
nice looking katana, although not entirely traditional.
Orchid review
Kami
The Kami Katana is the top of the line for Hanwei. The kami features silk tsuka ito, bohi, a red saya, o-kissaki and very nice koshirae and an
engraving on the blade.
Info on the Kami
Review by Les Yeich
Common complaints with PC:
Saya rattles. Saya
Tuska feels uncomfortable
Sageo is of lower quality
Paul Chen/Hanwei