Hanwei Gorin Iaito
Dec 6, 2009 21:17:17 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2009 21:17:17 GMT
Hanwei Gorin Iaito
Review by Glenn. December 6, 2009 The Netherlands
Introduction
After backyard cutting for about a year, I decided I wanted to learn more about correctly cutting and fighting with a Japanese sword. After trying it for a while and training with a bokken, I decided to buy an iaito.
Since I was pleased with the with the quality of the swords I already had, Hanwei was a safe choice for me.
I started my search on the internet and settled on the Gorin Iaito. I liked the design and it had a couple of features that sealed the deal.
Sword Theme
This sword’s name, tsuba and menuki all refer to the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
First the name. After “ retiring” as a full-time fighter, Musashi wrote a book about swordfighting strategy. In English it’s called “The book of the five rings”, translated from the Japanese title “Go rin no sho”. Go rin meaning Five rings.
The tsuba is made after a design by Musashi. One of musashi’s originals can still be seen at the Miyamoto Musashi museum in the Japanese village of Ohara.
The menuki is a representation of a boat with two oars.
When Musashi was brought by boat to an island to face his most worthy opponent in a fight to the death, legend has it that he cut a large bokken from an oar and won the duel with a single hit to the skull.
The menuki is made of silver.
Fit and Finish
The seppa and habaki are made of silver as well, it has a nice matte shine in the light. The habaki is a little loose, causing a slight rattle when practicing some kinds of chiburi. (symbolically shaking blood of the blade)
Brushed fuchi and kashira.
A silver shitodome is advertised, but is clearly not there.
Seeing the genuine ray skin same was a pleasant surprise for me, having only seen the plastic imitation on the PK and Ninjato. It just looks a lot smoother. The black leather ito has good grip and contrasts the white same.
Compared with the Practical Katana:
The hamon is and looks fake, but the pattern is quite neat.
The kissaki.
A textured black saya with untextured Kojiri. Maybe they thought it would look nice, but it slightly annoys me.
The sageo is black cotton, nothing too exciting, works just fine.
Specifications
The Gorin Iaito is available in 4 sizes; 26" (66 cm) 27" (68,5 cm) 28" (71 cm) and 29" (73,5 cm)
These are the specs for this 29" version:
• Blade length: 29" (73,5 cm)
• Handle length: 10 3/4" (27,3 cm)
• Overall length: 40 3/4" (103,5 cm)
• Weight: 1lb 15oz (878 gr)
• Point of Balance: 4 1/2" (11,4 cm)
• Width at Guard: 1.27" (3,2 cm)
• Width at Tip: .80" (2 cm)
• Thickness at Guard: .23" (0,58cm)
• Thickness at Tip: .21" (0,53 cm)
• Sori: 3/4" (1,9 cm)
The blade is made of stainless steel with a special tempering to reduce the tendency to be brittle and has a Bo-Hi.
Price: $280 - $300
Verdict
Pro’s
• Stainless steel. In training one touches the blade a lot with bare hands, no rust and low maintenance.
• Bo-Hi so you can hear if you’re cutting straight
• The silver parts look great
• Well balanced
• Musashi theme
Cons
• Loose Habaki
• Textured Saya with untextured Kojiri
• The shapes and colours are a bit common
• No silver shitodome
SBG Ratings
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a quality iaito to start with, this would be a good option. It’s not too expensive, looks nice and you can choose the size that fits your height. If you want something ornamental that draws more attention, you’ll want to browse some more.
Thanks for reading
Review by Glenn. December 6, 2009 The Netherlands
Introduction
After backyard cutting for about a year, I decided I wanted to learn more about correctly cutting and fighting with a Japanese sword. After trying it for a while and training with a bokken, I decided to buy an iaito.
Since I was pleased with the with the quality of the swords I already had, Hanwei was a safe choice for me.
I started my search on the internet and settled on the Gorin Iaito. I liked the design and it had a couple of features that sealed the deal.
Sword Theme
This sword’s name, tsuba and menuki all refer to the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
First the name. After “ retiring” as a full-time fighter, Musashi wrote a book about swordfighting strategy. In English it’s called “The book of the five rings”, translated from the Japanese title “Go rin no sho”. Go rin meaning Five rings.
The tsuba is made after a design by Musashi. One of musashi’s originals can still be seen at the Miyamoto Musashi museum in the Japanese village of Ohara.
The menuki is a representation of a boat with two oars.
When Musashi was brought by boat to an island to face his most worthy opponent in a fight to the death, legend has it that he cut a large bokken from an oar and won the duel with a single hit to the skull.
The menuki is made of silver.
Fit and Finish
The seppa and habaki are made of silver as well, it has a nice matte shine in the light. The habaki is a little loose, causing a slight rattle when practicing some kinds of chiburi. (symbolically shaking blood of the blade)
Brushed fuchi and kashira.
A silver shitodome is advertised, but is clearly not there.
Seeing the genuine ray skin same was a pleasant surprise for me, having only seen the plastic imitation on the PK and Ninjato. It just looks a lot smoother. The black leather ito has good grip and contrasts the white same.
Compared with the Practical Katana:
The hamon is and looks fake, but the pattern is quite neat.
The kissaki.
A textured black saya with untextured Kojiri. Maybe they thought it would look nice, but it slightly annoys me.
The sageo is black cotton, nothing too exciting, works just fine.
Specifications
The Gorin Iaito is available in 4 sizes; 26" (66 cm) 27" (68,5 cm) 28" (71 cm) and 29" (73,5 cm)
These are the specs for this 29" version:
• Blade length: 29" (73,5 cm)
• Handle length: 10 3/4" (27,3 cm)
• Overall length: 40 3/4" (103,5 cm)
• Weight: 1lb 15oz (878 gr)
• Point of Balance: 4 1/2" (11,4 cm)
• Width at Guard: 1.27" (3,2 cm)
• Width at Tip: .80" (2 cm)
• Thickness at Guard: .23" (0,58cm)
• Thickness at Tip: .21" (0,53 cm)
• Sori: 3/4" (1,9 cm)
The blade is made of stainless steel with a special tempering to reduce the tendency to be brittle and has a Bo-Hi.
Price: $280 - $300
Verdict
Pro’s
• Stainless steel. In training one touches the blade a lot with bare hands, no rust and low maintenance.
• Bo-Hi so you can hear if you’re cutting straight
• The silver parts look great
• Well balanced
• Musashi theme
Cons
• Loose Habaki
• Textured Saya with untextured Kojiri
• The shapes and colours are a bit common
• No silver shitodome
SBG Ratings
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a quality iaito to start with, this would be a good option. It’s not too expensive, looks nice and you can choose the size that fits your height. If you want something ornamental that draws more attention, you’ll want to browse some more.
Thanks for reading