BuyIaito buget iaito review
Aug 22, 2011 4:14:03 GMT
Post by grmnsplx on Aug 22, 2011 4:14:03 GMT
Introduction
As my club is brand new, so are my students. As you would expect, few are interested in forking out a lot of cash for something if they are unsure what they are getting into and whether or not they will be involved in iai training for a long time. I decided to buy a sword from buyiaito.com (zhisword) to see if it would be at least functional and serve as a cost effective alternative to other more expensive (and higher quality) options.
I selected the custom budget iaito and made a few upgrades (real samegawa panels, nicer seppa). In the end, cost me only $126 after shipping.
Historical overview
nothing worth mentioning
Full Disclosure
I have no connection with buyiaito.com or any other sword vendor of any kind.
Initial Impressions
I think that it took just under 3 weeks to arrive after placing my order. It came in a styrofoam box completely taped up in yellow tape. No sword bag was included. nothing special.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length:
2.35 shaku - i got a bit of a shorter sword so that most could use it with little trouble
Handle/Tsuka Length:
8.5 shaku
Overall Length:
39 inches or so
Guard/Tsuba Width:
little over 8cm
3 and 1/4 inches
POB (Point of Balance):
5 inhes from guard
Weight:
not sure. 800 grams or so ??
Components
The Blade:
I opted for a stainless steel blade. I wanted something fairly easy to maintain. I had heard that their swords weren't the best balanced. I think someone on SBG mentioned that his sword with out bo-hi was tip heavy so I opted for a bohi. However, i did ask them to keep it shallow and they did so it's not too light.
I opted for the suguha hamon. It's not real obviously. It's fine.
The kissaki looks pretty bad though. yeesh.
habaki is decent enough
The Handle/Tsuka:
The tsuka is a decent shape, but honestly it's too slim. From ha to mune side it measures about 26mm - too small. As well, from side to side it's too thin and flat.
The wrap is cotton. I'm glad I went with that. I find the Chinese chemical fiber really bad. It's not good japanese cotton by any means, but it is serviceable. The wrap is decent. I also opted for the real samegawa panels. They're decent. Note that I got lucky and for a few nodes. Howeve, the quality of the scales/nodes is not consistent from panel to panel and along the lengths of them.
Note that the handle creaks a bit if I wring it really hard. I am not sure if that's the samagawa or ito moving a bit or the wood creaking. The slimness of it does concern me.
The Guard/Tsuba:
It's pretty hideous. A painted black alloy tsuba which isn't very well cast. And it's a bit big given the size of the sword.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira/Menuki:
Pretty much the same as the tsuba.
The Scabbard/Saya
Basic black shime saya. Here's the finish.
I don't know why these chinese forges insist on putting in shitodome. Why bother? They don't fit at all and they look terrible. (Dynasty Forge is guilty of this too)
The sword goes in and out smoothly, so I'm happy with that.
The koiguchi and kurigata are plastic which is fine, however the koiguchi looks a little funny to me. you can also see that some panels were inserted to shim it up.
I went for the silk sageo. It was a free option. Not sure if it's real, but it's not the best. You can see that it's a bit loose in places.
Handling Characteristics:
Fine, but The tsuka does feel a bit funny. It's just so slim.
Conclusions:
As stated numerous times, it's fine. Is it a good sword? No, far from it. Is it suitable for iai? Yes, it will do.
Pros
- cheap
- suitable for iai
- no issues out of the box
Cons
- kissaki is funny
- tsuka is too small and might have some structural issues
- crappy fittings
The Bottom Line
I wouldn't buy this sword for myself. And if you can afford it, I recommend going with a better constructed iaito from Japan. However, if you are just staring out and you're on a tight budget, then this is what I would go for.
As my club is brand new, so are my students. As you would expect, few are interested in forking out a lot of cash for something if they are unsure what they are getting into and whether or not they will be involved in iai training for a long time. I decided to buy a sword from buyiaito.com (zhisword) to see if it would be at least functional and serve as a cost effective alternative to other more expensive (and higher quality) options.
I selected the custom budget iaito and made a few upgrades (real samegawa panels, nicer seppa). In the end, cost me only $126 after shipping.
Historical overview
nothing worth mentioning
Full Disclosure
I have no connection with buyiaito.com or any other sword vendor of any kind.
Initial Impressions
I think that it took just under 3 weeks to arrive after placing my order. It came in a styrofoam box completely taped up in yellow tape. No sword bag was included. nothing special.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length:
2.35 shaku - i got a bit of a shorter sword so that most could use it with little trouble
Handle/Tsuka Length:
8.5 shaku
Overall Length:
39 inches or so
Guard/Tsuba Width:
little over 8cm
3 and 1/4 inches
POB (Point of Balance):
5 inhes from guard
Weight:
not sure. 800 grams or so ??
Components
The Blade:
I opted for a stainless steel blade. I wanted something fairly easy to maintain. I had heard that their swords weren't the best balanced. I think someone on SBG mentioned that his sword with out bo-hi was tip heavy so I opted for a bohi. However, i did ask them to keep it shallow and they did so it's not too light.
I opted for the suguha hamon. It's not real obviously. It's fine.
The kissaki looks pretty bad though. yeesh.
habaki is decent enough
The Handle/Tsuka:
The tsuka is a decent shape, but honestly it's too slim. From ha to mune side it measures about 26mm - too small. As well, from side to side it's too thin and flat.
The wrap is cotton. I'm glad I went with that. I find the Chinese chemical fiber really bad. It's not good japanese cotton by any means, but it is serviceable. The wrap is decent. I also opted for the real samegawa panels. They're decent. Note that I got lucky and for a few nodes. Howeve, the quality of the scales/nodes is not consistent from panel to panel and along the lengths of them.
Note that the handle creaks a bit if I wring it really hard. I am not sure if that's the samagawa or ito moving a bit or the wood creaking. The slimness of it does concern me.
The Guard/Tsuba:
It's pretty hideous. A painted black alloy tsuba which isn't very well cast. And it's a bit big given the size of the sword.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira/Menuki:
Pretty much the same as the tsuba.
The Scabbard/Saya
Basic black shime saya. Here's the finish.
I don't know why these chinese forges insist on putting in shitodome. Why bother? They don't fit at all and they look terrible. (Dynasty Forge is guilty of this too)
The sword goes in and out smoothly, so I'm happy with that.
The koiguchi and kurigata are plastic which is fine, however the koiguchi looks a little funny to me. you can also see that some panels were inserted to shim it up.
I went for the silk sageo. It was a free option. Not sure if it's real, but it's not the best. You can see that it's a bit loose in places.
Handling Characteristics:
Fine, but The tsuka does feel a bit funny. It's just so slim.
Conclusions:
As stated numerous times, it's fine. Is it a good sword? No, far from it. Is it suitable for iai? Yes, it will do.
Pros
- cheap
- suitable for iai
- no issues out of the box
Cons
- kissaki is funny
- tsuka is too small and might have some structural issues
- crappy fittings
The Bottom Line
I wouldn't buy this sword for myself. And if you can afford it, I recommend going with a better constructed iaito from Japan. However, if you are just staring out and you're on a tight budget, then this is what I would go for.