PDA

View Full Version : iaito


Please visit our sponsor:
 



samurai_kenshin
08-08-2005, 04:25 PM
I was wondering if this (http://www.iaito-katana.com/iaito/ijm101.html) iaito looks any good. I know there are the ones from e-bogu and bogubag that are cheaper, but the e-bogu ones look a little generic and bogubag is under construction. I like the way these iaito look and would just like a few opinions. I don't do iaido, this is just another tool I can use for my suburi practice in Aikido. Thanks for your time!

MikeE
08-09-2005, 07:30 AM
I would definitely try to handle one before you buy. I went through around 3 iaito until I found the one that fit me best.

Jorge Garcia
08-09-2005, 07:49 AM
I'm not an expert but it looks good to me. I may get one myself to try it out.

spinecracker
08-09-2005, 10:09 AM
from what I've seen, my motto is 'chop before you shop' - i.e. if you are buying an iaito (or a shinken) online, and you don't have that much knowledge on what your looking for, then make sure that the company has a good return policy. I had the opportunity of doing practice cuts with the iaito I bought before laying down any of my hard earned cash for it. Looking at the website, you have plenty of choices for your iaito but, for me, the two most important choices are blade length (ask people in the know what length would suit you) and the balance point of the iaito. This you will only be able to tell when you actually cut with the iaito (should be just a few inches in above the tsuba, if I remember correctly). As for using an iaito for suburi, I've found that using a bokken is just as good, if not better. If you want to be using more weight to strengthen, then a suburi bokken is perfect.

samurai_kenshin
08-09-2005, 10:58 AM
there's also this (http://iaido.tozando.com/iaito/ka15.html) toznado sword I saw. Only $212. Even plus shipping and customs, that's still cheaper than the other one, and tozando has the added bonus of a reputation for pretty servicable swords. On the other hand, tozando swords don't have as much eye candy quality that the iaito-katana.com one does. I'll ask about return policies as soon as I can.
[EDIT} I didn't see it at first, but that blade has been discontinued!

Walter Wong
09-02-2005, 08:24 AM
I would go with the tozando Iaito. I don't know bout the other company.

I've seen and handled several tozando Iaito. They're all good and consistant in quality.

I personally favor swordstore Iaito as I myself use one for my training. And seen & handled several swordstore Iaito from other owners as well.

Tozando and Swordstore for me are the best choices for Iaito.

Other than that, an Iaito from bugei or e-bogu I've heard are pretty decent.