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Iaito Katana Comments Page 2 (Prev/Next)

Tsuru (Crane) 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Tsuru iaito is made of a special stainless steel that is much more durable than aluminum alloy Iaito. The un-edged blades are crafted in 400 series stainless steel with a simulated hamon and are fully tempered to withstand repeated drawing and practice cutting strokes. Each blade features a bo-hi (groove), which both reduces blade weight and produces an audible feedback when practice cutting strokes are made correctly. The tsuka (handle) has black lacquered same (ray skin) with black silk Ito (wrap). The gloss black say is covered in same from the Koiguchi (mouth) to Kurikata (knob for sageo) and comes with a black silk sageo (saya cord). It has silver Menuki (handle ornaments), Habaki (blade collar), Seppa (spacers).

Comments

The reviewers liked the silk tsuka-ito of the Tsuru and the nice balance.  The crane tsuba was not a big hit due to it's over-use on low end iaito, and the harshness of the cut-out edges.  The quality and fittings rating was also impacted by the patina wearing off the fuchi/kashira on one katana, but the overall look and feel kept ratings high.  The reviewers did like the same wrap on the saya, but some thought the mekugi ana (peg holes) should have been touched up with black lacquer. 

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Shinto Forged 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Shinto Iaito has an un-edged training blade forged from stainless steel. The tempered blades are not only maintenance-free but more importantly provide the correct weight and balance needed for the rigors of repetitive drawing and sword motion practice. Each blade has a deeply cut groove (bo-hi) to provide audible feedback when swung properly. The Shinto is mounted in black and the tsuka-ito is made of premium black Japanese cotton. The saya is finished in a deep black lacquer with a black cotton sageo. A finely rendered dragon, detailed in gold, with true front-and-back detail, forms the black iron tsuba. The fittings are superbly antiqued adding to the aesthetics of the set.

Comments

The Shinto Iaito ranked well in the balance and feel category and would have rated higher if the tsuba did not have high relief.  High relief tsuba tend to be hard on the hands and the dragon tsuba of the Shinto could use some smoothing with emery paper before use.  Some reviewers thought the tsuba was too small.  Most like the balance of the blade and it rates solidly overall.

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Gorin (5 Rings) 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Gorin iaito is made of a special stainless steel that is much more durable than aluminum alloy Iaito. The un-edged blades are crafted in 400 series stainless steel with a simulated hamon and are fully tempered to withstand repeated drawing and cutting strokes. Each blade features a bo-hi (groove), which both reduces blade weight and produces an audible feedback when cutting strokes are made correctly. The tsuka (handle) has white same (ray skin) with Matte Leather Ito (wrap). The textured black saya (scabbard) has a black cotton sageo and silver shitodome. The Gorin has a black Musashi tsuba (guard), and brushed Fuchi & Kashira (handle fittings). It has silver Menuki (handle ornaments), Habaki (blade collar), Seppa (spacers).

Comments

The Gorin Iaito ranked solidly.  The Feel and Balance was okay, but the reviewers did not find the fittings overly impressive.  The patina on the fittings (especially the tsuba) wears easily.  The leather tsuka-ito did give a positive grip, but the light tsuba left the balance a bit forward. 

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