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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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Shinken Katana Comments Page 7 (Prev/Next)Practical Pro Elite KatanaSales Pitch (Practical Pro Elite Katana)The Practical Pro Elite Katana has an extended tsuka compared to the rest of the series. The blade is forged in high-carbon steel and is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The Practical Pro Elite has a fine polish compared to others in the practical series. The rayskin-covered tsuka is wrapped with sueded black leather for its gripping characteristics and is double-pegged for safety. The saya is finished in a deep black lacquer with a black Japanese cotton sageo. The fittings (koshirae) are finished in antiqued black iron. The katana features a round Kuruma tsuba, which represents the “Wheel of Dharma,” symbolizing the Buddhist concept of the Noble Eightfold Path. CommentsWe could not cut with the sword tested and that hurt it's overall rating. Most reviewers found the long tsuka awkward hurting the Practical Pro Elite in the Feel and Balance category, but we do not practice a style compatible with long handles. Many still thought it was an impressive sword. It is definitely more impressive than the classic version of this sword. Bamboo KatanaSales Pitch (Bugei)At Bugei we reach into history to design blades to be used. This includes features that are not readily visible, like our 10" nakago with two mekugi to insure that the blade is secure in the tsuka. These blades are forged and folded with a softer steel (45-48 RC) surrounding the harder edge steel (59 RC). This provides excellent strength and shock resistance with superior edge holding and cutting ability. Both the tsuka and the saya are custom hand made for each individual sword. This attention to detail means that you, our customer, get the best that we can provide. The initial response to these blades has been outstanding. Because of this fact we are continuing to expand our blade offering. We now have wakizashi available in exactly the same motif as the katana to form a daisho. The wakizashi cost is $850.00. Included with each sword are a sword bag and cleaning kit.Hand polishing reveals the hamon, the different crystalline structure of the steel, which is attained by the unique hardening process that sets the Japanese blade apart. Our swords clearly show the martinsite edge, the pearlite body, and the troosite and sorbite crystalline structure that make up the hamon. 27.5 inch blade with 13 inch tsuka in black-blue-brown, 28.5 inch blade with 14 inch tsuka in black-blue-brown, 29.5 inch blade with 15 inch tsuka in black-blue-brown CommentsThe 29.5" model was rated. The testers like the quality of fittings, but the long tsuka did not match the style we train in. Cutting out of the box was disappointing but the fittings were high quality and the blade was very nice.Practical Elite KatanaSales Pitch (Practical Elite Katana)The Practical Katanas have always been at the forefront of providing economical yet functional swords to the martial arts community. Now with the blade geometries and profiles of the performance series and the affordability of the Practical fittings, competition-standard cutting is within the reach of the tightest budget. CommentsThe blade is NOT glued into the tsuka like the classic Practical Katana. We could not cut with the sword tested and that hurt it's overall rating. It still managed to rank third in the Overall Bang for the Buck category. It placed solidly in the Feel and Balance category, but was pretty much at the bottom of the Quality and Fittings category. The reviewers did not like the fake same and plastic menuki, but the imitation suede did have a positive feel. Cold Steel KatanaSales Pitch (Cold Steel Katana)Our factory has used only traditional materials for our Japanese sword’s fittings. The Tsuba (guard), Fuchi (collar), and Kashira (pommel), are expertly made and finely crafted from black iron. The Habaki (blade collar), is hand made out of polished brass and each hilt is covered in Samé (ray skin) and tightly wrapped in the traditional style with black cord. A beautiful brass Menuki ( a small, ornamental sculpture inserted between the ray skin and the cord wrappings on the handle) enhances the sword’s aesthetic appearance and makes for a sword that is as traditional looking as we can possibly make it.CommentsThe Cold Steel Katana is not a differentially tempered blade and has a reputation for not holding an edge. The sword we tested was not sharp and was rated poorly for tameshigiri. Balance and feel are great, but the tsuka ito has a tendency to loosen and shift. |
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