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Iaito Katana Comments Page 3 (Prev/Next)

Katsumushi Yamashiro 2.45

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Katsumushi Koshirae Yamashiro has a sand-cast zinc/aluminum alloy blade.  The brass dragonfly theme Fuchi/Kashira matches the iron dragonfly theme tsuba.  The them continues with the brass dragonfly theme Menuki.  The tsuka has black cotton tsuka ito and genuine same (rayskin) inlay.  The saya has a brown matte chaishime finish.

Comments

The Katsumushi Koshirae Yamashiro ranked in the middle of all categories.  The balance was good, but the tsuka was a bit too thin and short for some reviewers.  The fittings had a nice consistent theme that the reviewers liked.  The Feel and Balance rating was hurt by one cutout on the tsuba that seemed to be perfectly designed to catch the thumb nail.

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Musashi Forged 28"

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

Miyamoto Musashi, arguably the most famous sword master in Japanese history, fought more than 60 duels before retiring and writing his famous treatise on swordplay, the “Book of Five Rings”. Development of the two-sword style of swordplay, with the Daito (long sword) and Wakizashi being used together, is credited to Musashi. Mounted in black, the Musashi is faithful to the original down to the famous double-ring iron tsubas. The tsuka-ito is in leather over ray skin. 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.

Comments

Most reviewers found the leather tsuka-ito (handle wrap) to give a very positive feel, but they were not impressed by the quality of the fittings compared to the other iaito.  Some reviewers thought the tsuba was insubstantial and kept the balance too far forward.  The thickness of the leather wrap also makes the fuchi/kashira seem a bit too small. 

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Higo Koshirae Yamashiro 2.45

Sales Pitch (Nihonzashi)

The Higo Koshirae Yamashiro iaito has a sand-cast zinc/aluminum alloy blade.  It has black Higo style Fuchi/Kashira and clover theme silver-plated menuki. The simple Mokko theme tsuba is easy on the hands.  The tsuka has genuine same (rayskin) inlay and black cotton tsuka ito.  The saya has a black matte lacquer finish.

Comments

Many of the reviewers found the Higo Koshirae Yamashiro iaito to be tip heavy.  This also caused it to be rated well by reviewers who liked heavy swords.  The plain tsuba was easier on the hands than most of the other aluminum alloy iaito tested.  Some reviewers found the tsuka to be too small and a bit uncomfortable.

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