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Toyama Ryu Batto Do Konjaku Kioi Dojo (Ancient and Modern Fighting Spirit Dojo) |
5980 66th St N Suite M St Petersburg FL 33709 Email: info@toyama-ryu.com Phone: 727-329-9679 |
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Iaito Wakizashi Sorted RatingsIaito wakizashi are those suitable for kata practice. They do need to hold up to heavy use in the dojo and an occasional unintentional impact. Most are unsharpened and can not be sharpened. Highest Ranked Swords
Rankings Sorted By Balance and Feel
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Balance and Feel Category Rankings Sorted By Quality and Fittings
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Quality and Fittings Category Rankings Sorted By Overall
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Category Rankings Sorted By Overall Bang for the Buck
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of Overall Bang for the Buck Category Comments (Sorted by Overall Ranking)Tsuru (Crane) Iaito WakizashiSales 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). CommentsThis wakizashi rated number one in the Feel / Balance, Overall, and Quality / Fittings categories. 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. Gorin (5 Rings) Iaito WakizashiSales 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). CommentsThis wakizashi rated number two in the Feel / Balance, Overall, and Quality / Fittings categories. The Gorin Iaito ranked solidly. The Feel and Balance was okay, but the reviewers did not find the fittings overly impressive. Some found the tsuba looked and felt to insubstantial. The leather tsuka-ito did give a positive grip. Tozando Wakizashi Iaito WakizashiSales Pitch (Tozando)Tozando sells a wakizashi that matches the standard iaito. The price is the same as the iaito and you need to choose the iaito model and note it is the wakizashi order on the special instruction when you place the order. Here is the sales pitch for the Standard Iaito: This standard Iaito is a perfect solution for a starter of Iaido training. Although this model features only the basic, we do not substitute any parts with such cheap materials as vinyl panels on Tsuka handle like others you see on the market. Cotton wrapped Tsuka over a genuine sharkskin. Selected bamboo Mekugi peg. Fuchi/Kashira/Tsuba made of alloy metal. Polyester/cotton blend, black color Sageo comes with each Standard Iaito order. The blade is made of a light-weight, reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy*(available up to 2.45 Shaku). Weighs approximately 780 gram without Saya(2.45 Shaku). Saya available in Kuroro (black gloss finished) and Kuroishime(black matte finished). CommentsThe low cost of this iaito was reflected in the Quality and Fittings category. The tsuba appears to be finished with gloss black paint in the over-used crane theme. The fuchi/kashira appear to be a copper colored pot metal with a patina that wears off easily. The wakizashi iaito feels too light and insubstantial. Despite the quality issues, the wakizashi felt comfortable in the hand and the fittings and wrap were tight. Nami (Wave) Iaito WakizashiSales 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. CommentsThe fitting quality was rated pretty low, but the reviewers found the Nami iaito to be well balanced with comfortable plain fittings. The patina on the fittings is prone to wear. The low price made this the number one ranked iaito in the Overall Bang for the Buck category. |
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