Let's call this one a mid-range sword... a nice piece of equipment that's not too expensive, but is pricey enough that you've got to be serious to consider it. Let's get into the pros and cons of the Practical Plus Elite...
There's no doubt it's a strong, durable sword. The blade has been heat-treated, forged and differentially hardened up to HRC60. It's been sharpened for battle-ready use, and with its rock-hardness, it shouldn't have any trouble slicing away at anything you need it to.
Plus the traditional focus is a nice touch. You'll notice the two-handed blade is wrapped with genuine rayskin on the tsuka, as well as Japanese dogwood fittings and carved dragon menuki for decorative flair.
The downside of this sword is that it's not overly ornate. The attention to traditional detail is somewhat lacking. It's an attractive sword, don't get me wrong, but it's not as fancy as some other swords we've reviewed.
Paul Chen has been making serious swords for a very long time -- they're considered one of the mainstays in this category. So, while it's nothing fancy, it's definitely the real deal.
Find this Paul Chen Hanwei Katana:
Find this sword on eBay:
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Paul Chen Hanwei Handmade Practical Plus Katana Sword US $269.98   Auction Ends: 15d 9h 8m |
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CAS Hanwei Paul Chen Practical Plus Katana Samurai Sword SH2073 Leather Handle US $199.00 Auction Ends: 29d 8h 47m |
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April 29th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
[...] Functional KatanaBattle Ready Martial Arts Sword w/ Black SayaPosted by JT HatsSimilar to Hanwei's Practical Plus Elite Katana, the Hanwei Practical Pro Katana focuses on heavy cutting ability in a moderately priced functional [...]