When I first purchased this sword (I chose to get the black and red one, stupid me), I didn't like it... It's not too sharp or good for ninjitsu, really. BUT... I put many, many, many hours along w/ my blood, sweat, and not tears, but for literary sakes, let's just say it was my blood, sweat, and tears. Now, I LOVE IT! I took the wrap off of the handle after it started to unravel and unraveled part of the black wrap along the sheath and reraveled it covering up the red. I took off the tassle and removed the tsuba for a sleeker black look. I took off the imitation leather and put on real leather for a strap that I can use for holding/carrying along with a necklace w/ a pendant that has my Chinese Zodiac sign, the dragon. It is now a beautiful piece of work and it was well worth it. that's the the thing to. It kind of looks like a shirasay now, at the beginning I would've given it 2 stars, now I think it deserves 5, mainly because of the potential I brought out in it.