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Iaito Katana Comments Page 1 (Prev/Next)

Tori Forged 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Tori Iaito is an all-new design from CAS/Hanwei that incorporates truly elegant furniture with the functionality of our performance series. The un-edged training blade is 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. Featuring a flying crane tsuba, brown leather tsuka-ito over black same and a dark brown/black saya, the Tori is available in three folded steel cutting blade profiles and three Iaito blade lengths. This is undoubtedly one of the most elegant mounts ever crafted by CAS/Hanwei. This katana was designed and built specifically for martial artists.

Comments

The Tori is very impressive and ranked at the top of every category.  Even judges who do not like the feel of leather liked the balance of this blade.  The ribbed saya got mixed reviews, but everyone liked the fitting that looked great and were comfortable on the hands.  The reviewers liked the brown horn saya fittings matching the color theme, but the sharp edges of the koiguchi need to be smoothed with emery paper.  The etched hamon on the blade was not overly impressive, but the fittings and feel made most reviewers not care.

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Mejin Folded Steel 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

This katana is classified by CAS/Hanwei as an iaito. While not designed for sword-on-sword contact or actual test cutting, we do not consider this to be a practice sword. The blade is forged-folded T10 high-carbon steel with grooves (bo-hi) on both sides of the blade, which allows for a lighter blade and audible feedback when swung. The blade is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method and has a beautiful grain pattern (hada) with visible layers. The tsuka is wrapped in genuine ray skin (same) and the tsuka-ito is premium black Japanese cotton. The black iron square tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are done in a “Turbulent Ocean” motif. The habaki is a one-piece brass construction. The saya is done in a beautiful black matte striped finish going the whole length of the scabbard and the sageo is black cotton. The Meijin Iaito represents the pinnacle of production quality for Iaito swords.

Comments

The Meijin ranked number two in the Balance and feel category and number three in the Quality and Fittings category.  It also managed to get second place in the overall rating category.  The striped gloss / matte finish saya got mixed reviews but everyone liked the folded steel blade.  The steel blade also made this the heaviest iaito tested, but it was well balanced.   Some did not like the high relief tsuba that could dig into the hand.  The fittings did not quite live up to the blade for quality.

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Tozando Koto Higo Iaito 29"

Sales Pitch (Tozando)

Koto Higo Koshirae has been designed for those who look for a great balance and attached feeling you can get with a genuine live blade sword. The wider and thicker blade is made of an reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy*. Fuchi/Kashira set is made of blackened steel iron and features a silver inlay of snowflake motif. High quality 100 % cotton Tsuka cord is securely wrapped over a sharkskin. Comes with Kainokuchi style silk Sageo. Blade length is available up to 2.50 Shaku. Approximately 980 gram without Saya(2.50 Shaku). Saya available in Kuroro (black gloss finish) and Kuroishime (black matte finish).

Comments

Nice mid range iaito.  It does have more blade weight than most iaito, but less than all live blades.  It has a nice balance and a solid feel.  The Musashi tsuba was unimpressive and the patina wore off easily.  This iaito got good quality and fittings ratings since it has stood up well to seven years of extensive use.

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