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Post by ambulocetus on Oct 12, 2016 12:26:15 GMT
At my old Kenjutsu Dojo everybody had shinken, but now I'm doing Iaido and my new sensei seems a little uncomfortable with me using a live blade. I don't know if it's the poorly fitting Arts Feng saya or my lack of talent, but he is encouraging me to get an iaito. Personally, I think that buying a sword that can't cut is like buying a car with no engine, but I want to make sensei happy without spending too much. Any suggestions for a reasonably priced iaito with a decent saya fit?
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Post by Croccifixio on Oct 12, 2016 12:45:35 GMT
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pgandy
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Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Oct 12, 2016 15:10:03 GMT
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Post by ambulocetus on Oct 12, 2016 21:29:12 GMT
Thanks for the replies. How well does the saya fit on those Musashis? We do a lot of batto and noto, and a good fitting saya is important.
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Post by pellius on Oct 12, 2016 22:03:41 GMT
I'm not a JMA guy, but I can say that it seems pretty easy to fine tune a katana-saya fit with sandable wood putty (and maybe a shim if really loose) and a set of finger files. (Sword blade rattle deep within the saya is harder)
Also, of course, your instructor and fellow students can probably advise you within the context of your particular school.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 12, 2016 22:31:58 GMT
The musashi are steel, check with your sensei first. As a jsa guy who's owned a couple, don't. They are poor quality. The saya is 1/3 plastic and has terrible koiguchi fit. The tsuba can rattle and the ito comes loose and is shoelacey. I ended up using them as toys. Use a bokuto and plastic saya until you can get a quality one from a known iaito company. Musashi makes good budget swords but their iaito aren't up to snuff.
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Post by wazikan on Oct 12, 2016 23:15:36 GMT
funny I actually had the opposite comment from my first iaido teacher. all I had was a shinken and he said it would be all right. but I thought if a new guy came into my school I wouldn't let him swing a sharp katana around. sometimes its cheaper to get a katana and dull it out. its still heavy but wont cut anyone. im amazed at how expensive some iaitos are. mine was pricey.
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Post by ambulocetus on Oct 13, 2016 10:57:57 GMT
I'm thinking I might just grind down the edge on this sword, and save my money for a better live-blade. Either that or improve my skill until my sensei stops being nervous. Maybe a replacement saya would fix the fit issues.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 13, 2016 13:05:32 GMT
Thanks for the replies. How well does the saya fit on those Musashis? We do a lot of batto and noto, and a good fitting saya is important. The saya fit was good on arrival. However over time it loosened. This is not uncommon due to wear and/or a difference in humidity and can be corrected. Actually you should be prepared to correct this at some time especially if used extensively. A wooden shim is the proper method. However in my case it was so slight I used a piece of cellophane tape, the quick and dirty way. Gravity will not affect the saya and the two easily separate by slight thumb pressure. The two photos show the fit and the habaki with the tape shim.
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Post by johnwalter on Oct 13, 2016 14:57:44 GMT
JSA guy here as well.If you don't want to spend the cash,then the Hanwei Practical Iaitos are decent for what you spend.With Iai you'll be putting a lot of wear on the tsuka and tsukamaki,learning and developing tenouchi will take its toll and those Musashi tsuka and especially the cheap low quality cotton ito they use will not hold up well for long under those conditions.Personally,if you're live blade has decent tsuka and maki,I would just blunt that blade,which will keep you used to a heavier steel sword. My opinion.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 13, 2016 22:37:56 GMT
How are the tsuka on the practical iaito in comparison to the practical cutters? I know my practical, while a good sword, doesn't have the longest lasting wrap.
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Post by johnwalter on Oct 14, 2016 0:58:06 GMT
Kiyoshi,from what I can remember(its been a few years)they were actually shaped a little better,tight tsukamaki,and it wasn't that crap faux leather they use on the practical plus,I believe it was actually a good cotton ito.For the low price,I think its a decent option,much better than those Musashi. I've been testing a steel iaito for Feilong,I like better than I remember liking the Practicals,but I don't think its available yet,at least not in the states.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 14, 2016 3:33:53 GMT
If the tsuka is better shaped and the ito is cotton and well wrapped, that would be a decent option. I look forward to hearing about the feilong iaito when (if) they get reviewed on here.
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Post by Google on Oct 14, 2016 16:26:07 GMT
Mogito (imitation swords) are good for iaido beause- 1. They're safer. If you use a live blade, eventually you'll get cut without doubt. Mogito helps to minimize the risk of injuring yourself or others. 2. Since the blade isn't steel, the money goes into quality balance and fittings, which is what you want in iaido. 3. In iaido you rarely cut something anyway, so it doesn't change the practice if it's shinken or mogito.
Japanese make the best, and a 400-500usd can get you a good tool for many years. Lastly, check with your sensei what he allows\recommends.
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Post by jonnecy on Oct 15, 2016 14:24:47 GMT
I would recommend a Minosaka. they are made in Gifu (Japan) and are considered to be among the best blades for beginners available at that price range. for instance: www.seidoshop.com/products/iaito-minosaka-jidai-koshirae-2-30-2-45-shakuThis is the same Iaito that I have and I must say that I am very pleased with how it has performed thus far. the quality of the koshirae is also way above what you get on a sharp blade in the same price range. the price is actually quite decent, considering what you get for your money. "cheap" and "decent" usually do not go together very well whenever there are swords of any kind involved...cheap requires that they cut some corners here and there during production, and that always ends up dragging down the overall quality of the sword, regardless of how well the remaining components of the sword might have been crafted. take Ronin for example...the blades the make are pretty decent cutters, they are sturdy, heavy and resilient enough for cutting thicker targets, and they really can take a beating. however, the quality of the koshirae is relatively cheap, the fittings and sharpness of the edge out of the box is hit and miss...; and that means you will end up having to perform way more maintenance than you should have. and an Iaito that is going to get used a lot is no different in that regard.
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