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Iaito Katana Comments Page 4 (Prev/Next)

Nami (Wave) 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Nami 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 cuts are made correctly. The Nami has white Same w/ Black Cotton Ito (handle wrap). The simple etched Wave Tsuba (guard), Fuchi & Kashira (handle fittings) are easy on the hands. The matte black saya has a black cotton Sageo (saya cord) and copper Shitodome (ornaments on saya). It has copper Menuki (handle ornaments), Habaki (blade collar), and Seppa (spacers).  Good starter Iaito for a reasonable price.

Comments

The fitting quality was rated pretty low, but the reviewers found the Nami iaito to be well balanced with comfortable plain fittings.  The low price made this the number two ranked iaito in Overall Bang for the Buck, but it comes very close to number one.  The tsuba, fuchi, and kashira seem to be very similar to the Practical Iaito, but the menuki and tsuka-ito are definitely nicer.

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Practical Plus Forged 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Practical Plus Iaito provides a very economical practice sword as dependable as the Practical Katana, but using more traditional fittings and construction methods. The Practical Plus 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 Practical Plus features genuine Same (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, with a tightly-woven cotton wrap (Tsuka-Ito). The long tang is double-pegged for security. The fittings of the Practical Plus are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood motif with dragon menuki, and the handsome Tsuba is of an iron “sunburst” design with a brass habaki.

Comments

Most reviewers thought the sunburst tsuba was hard on the hands, but did not mind how it looked.  The sunburst was equated to a cheese grater.  The blade was well balanced and felt good.  The low price and decent quality fittings makes this the number three rated Overall Bang for the Buck iaito.  It would do much better with a user friendly tsuba.

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Basic Yamashiro 2.30

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Higo Basic Yamashiro Iaito has a sand-cast zinc/aluminum alloy blade.  It has cherry flower theme antique brass Fuchi/Kashira and a Sukashi style tsuba with a plum tree theme. It has bamboo tree silver-plated brass Menuki. The tsuka has genuine same (rayskin) inlay and black cotton tsuka ito.  The saya has a black matte lacquer finish.

Comments

Reviewers found the tsuba to be very hard on the hands.  The balance was okay, but the tsuka was a bit too thin and short for some reviewers.  These combined to cause the lowest rating for the Feel and Balance category.  The Quality and Fittings were okay but could not offset the user unfriendly aspects of this iaito.

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