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Post by Bluntsword on Apr 5, 2013 0:47:14 GMT
If you own a iaito I would like to know how has the iaito stood up over the test of time and usage,
how many hours of usage? is the ito still tight? hows the blade quality? (should still be perfect as it's all dry handling) is the tsuka as a whole still like new/good condition? hows wear and tear on it after countless hours in the dojo?
Your answers will be a great help to me and other new JSA practitioners as I'm also getting an iaito and was deciding to get a cheap Hanwei or go all out and custom one from tozando. A lot of people don't realise that in JSA we use our iaito (daily driver) a lot more than our shinken (weekend car).
Thanks in advance for your help and advise. Fellow SBG'er
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Post by Dr. Whom on Apr 5, 2013 1:06:37 GMT
The best Iaito you can buy right now in terms of value and quality is the Hanwei Tori Iaito I liked it even better than an MAS Iaito It is on clearance here www.cashanwei.com/clearance/allI own and love the Tori Iaito
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Post by craigd on Apr 5, 2013 8:04:48 GMT
heyas, I PMd re. the Tozando Iaito however in summary after a couple of hundred hours use or so it is still in great condition and I love it. (I think I need to update my review ) re. the Tori Iaito above. It just shows how different everyone is as I am not keen at all on the feel of my Tori Elite Tsuka/Ito which I imagine is the same as the Iaito version and the finish of the fittings just doesn't come close (although this is likely variable). The handle definitely looks and feels more like an axe handle. However Masayuki Shimabukuro ( ) used a Tori so ...
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Post by Dr. Whom on Apr 5, 2013 9:55:22 GMT
Yes! That is the Tori Iaito starring in that video.
I always did wonder why a high ranking Japanese born swordsman like Masuyuki Shimabukuro would use Chinese made swords and had a special version of the Tori made for himself and his students.
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Post by deejay on Apr 5, 2013 14:12:19 GMT
I also own and have for some time a Toti Iato and have found that it has stood up very well.The wrap is stil tight and very comfortable to grip,the entire sword is still as tight as the day I recieved it.Well balanced and a good value.As too the axe handle complaint that is usaully found with Hanweis-no,this does not have a axe handlish grip to it.Very satisfied with it and I view it as a very good value dollar wise compared to many out there.
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Post by grmnsplx on Apr 5, 2013 21:00:01 GMT
I did not like my Tori iaito and sold it. It was just way too light. There are some very inexpensive iaito from Yamato. Check out the "Yamato Series". www.yamatobudogu.com/New_Yamato_ ... _s/267.htm I got the "Shiraume" last year and it is used as a loner in my club. A good sword. Tsuba is not my favourite, but is easily swapped out. www.yamatobudogu.com/Yamato_Seri ... 05-101.htm
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Marc
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,229
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Post by Marc on Apr 5, 2013 22:04:56 GMT
I have an iaïto from tozando, custom, silk Ito. 3 hours a week, for about 5 years. The Ito changed colour were my grip is, but not much. Practice partners who have theirs for about 10 years have problem with cut ito.
Marc
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Post by Google on Apr 10, 2013 23:36:49 GMT
I've owned 4 iaito during the last 4 years. One onigami koshirae from yamato budogu, 15 weekly hours for 1.5 years, later i sold it to someone who use it until today, the sword is almost the same condition when i got it. Second custom jidai, used it for 15 weekly hours for 6 months. held up extremely well and was high level. Sold it to someone abroad. Third a nishijin custom arashiyama. 15 weekly hours for 1 year, then sold it to senpai who still use it today. The ito shows normal wear, but the sword is still excellent condition. Fourth is yamato budogu bishamonten custom. Very long katate maki, extra heavy blade (2.50 shaku, 10mm motokasane), used for 20 weekly hours, except the ito getting extremely dirty, everything is exactly the same. Even the habaki hasn't loosened.
I recommend getting iaito only from yamato budogu.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 11, 2013 1:07:02 GMT
I use a Musashi type iaito with nohi my sensei ordered from Japan (don't know the manufacturer, and didn't ask him since he's my sensei after all), made out of some kind of alloy (heavy blade - very solid heft to it, but also very nicely balanced)... I've been using it as my main iaito for about 5 years (had another Japanese iaito, but much lighter since it had bohi, and also felt like it was an aluminum alloy). The iaito I use now has held up remarkably well, have been using it twice weekly for dojo practice, and a little more at home when time permits. The same panels have moved a tiny little bit (can see the wood), the cotton tsuka ito has also remained sturdy and tight (yet dirty from the use) over the years. The only problem I see is that some of the paper triangles are also starting to show. The tsuba was a little loose, but after disassembly and shimming, it's back to being nice and tight. Other than that, I'd say my iaito has held up beautifully over the years. Hope you get a good quality iaito that'll serve you well.
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Post by wazikan on Aug 17, 2013 15:55:01 GMT
I bought 2 jidai iaitos. One was too small for me. If you need one pm me. I will sell it super cheap The one i use has help up well. I love it. Silk ito
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Post by Matthew.Jensen on Aug 17, 2013 23:06:06 GMT
That is a wide budget. If you are doing an iaito blade don't forget that you can dull a regular katana blade. The iaito that Hanwei and others sell are lighter steels typically but you can get any sword you like and make it an iaito.
I rather like the Tori Iaito I have. But now I prefer using a dulled katana.
Hope that helps.
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Post by wazikan on Aug 18, 2013 2:33:55 GMT
You can dull a sword. But theres reasons for using aloys. Is you train for 2 hours at a time. They tend to get heavy. I myself have a shoulder injury and it really helped moving to an 800 gram blade
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Post by Kurimuzon on Aug 22, 2013 20:41:10 GMT
I had a custom iaito from Zhi Sword that I trained with for at least 4 hours a week for about 1.5 years. It was from the Budget Custom line I think. During that time, the ito moved about a little bit but nothing too drastic. I believe they were alloy or brass fittings, those help up pretty well. The POB was a little further from the tsuka than I would have preferred making training a little bit more difficult at first but I got used to it.
I eventually gave it to a fellow student when I was allowed to train w/a shinken and as far as I know it's been in good shape in their hands since.
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Post by Isshogai on Aug 22, 2013 23:31:34 GMT
For what it's worth I have 3 iaitos. All of which I love. The first was a Tsuru Iaito from Paul Chen. Used for 2 hrs daily 5 days a week for a year - after that time some of the hamon frosting had worn and the seppa, tsuba and habaki were a little loose. The wrap has remained excellent. I now use it mainly for the pratice of Katori Shito Ryu as I don't mind the knock's it takes.
I currently use a Tozando's custom made Harabino (thicker heavier balde) iaito. It is BY far one of my favourite blades and easily my favourite Iaito. I've used it every day for at least 2 hrs, sometimes 3 for the last 2 and half years. It's beginning to show a little wear and some minor movement of the kashira. The rest of it is perfect.
The final one is a cutoms made iaito that see's very little use, though it is lovely. I take it out maybe twice a year.
Hope that helps.
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