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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 12, 2018 19:56:16 GMT
I am not doing any martial art yet, though I found a kenjutsu dojo close to where I live, will possibly start studying there. That being said, I am getting a low budget steel Iaito and the only ones I found are Musashi and Munetoshi at Sword N Armory and Ebay, and Ryujin (about the same as Musashi prices) and cost almost as much shipping to Canada than the sword is worth: Munetoshi: With shipping, around 178$ CAN total. Musashi: With shipping, around 128$ CAN total. Shinken Katana (st-nihonto): Free shipping, around 132$ CAN total, with iron fuchi/kashira upgrades. I had a good experience with st-nihonto recently, so I'd be inclined to buy there, though I would ask your advice and recommendations. P.S I looked for iaito in dojo shops and martial art stores in Quebec and found nothing under 600$, that is way out of my budget for a starter. o7
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Post by skane on Jan 12, 2018 20:48:50 GMT
Of the 3, I'd choose the Munetoshi, with 2nd choice being St. Nihonto.
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 12, 2018 22:09:34 GMT
I second skane, Munetoshi would be a safe bet. SnA has a good return policy in case it's not up to your expectations (though it will probably live up to them, Munetoshi is pretty solid).
That being said, I'm a sucker for brown ito so if it's up to aesthetics (and you like the sword you got from them already), St-Nihonto wouldn't be a bad choice either. I just like the way that sword looks a bit more than the Munetoshi.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 12, 2018 22:26:17 GMT
Yes, I like the brown theme too, that's a good point toward the st-nihonto, but I also heard good things about Munetoshi too, though I may just get one of their shiken in the future, still a beginner collector. Return to Sword N Armory isn't really an option if worst happenned, given they already charge 55$ CAN for shipping, so a return would cost me more than the sword is worth anyway. Still thinking about it, maybe someone can direct me toward another brand or store that I didn't notice yet, just to make the choice more difficult. There is no rush. o7
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 12, 2018 22:52:43 GMT
Ah, you're in Canada eh? Then with shipping costing what it does that return policy advantage is definitely lost.
What's your budget for a iaito? There's lots of options and prices can be all over the board. Though depending on where you look you can find something truly excellent
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 13, 2018 18:31:53 GMT
Ah, you're in Canada eh? Then with shipping costing what it does that return policy advantage is definitely lost. What's your budget for a iaito? There's lots of options and prices can be all over the board. Though depending on where you look you can find something truly excellent Since I am new in this, I don't want to commit big amounts of money for my first swords (and iaito) as I learn the ropes and which styles I prefer handling. For example, the webstores and dojo shops I found sells steel iaito (I don't want aluminium) for 600 to a thousand $CAN dollards. Unacceptable for me. I don't have that budget for a real katana right now, even less for a blunt, training sword. That being said, there is a lot of overpriced stuff selling in Quebec when it comes to imported/low volume products, not only swords. One of these factors have to do with a lot of people here being insular as the majority don't speak english and don't know better. Also import costs, then resellers taking another cut on something they likely already bought in an American webstore, and this adds up. That's why I'm not buying local. And wow, that was getting out of subject, lol. So my budget for a basic iaito is pretty low, say between 100$ and 150$ CAN. So for example, the 100$ Munetoshi is very nice and within my budget, however I have to pay 55$ for shipping, that's just awful. Ideally I would live next to the US border, drive over and buy what I need, but that's not the case, so am trying to roll iaito cost and shipping together withing budget. Paying 55$ for a 300$ + sword is ok I guess, not so for a low cost one. o7
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Post by vanhinten on Jan 13, 2018 23:28:11 GMT
Hi, check out Minosaka and Tozando. Both are well known and make very good iaito. But they are a bit more expensive starting around ~ 300 USD. If you don't have the budget better buy a bokken with saya to start with. If you reall want to buy a cheap iaito i would recommend to buy a really cheap one which dont weigh to much. You don't need a good sword to start training, but it is nice to get a good one if you trained for some time and want to continue training. Go to the dojo first and ask what they would recommend for you. Most dojos have bokkens and maybe you can start training without buying anything. You shouldn't spent money if you don't even know if you like the training and will do the martial art for at least some time. www.seidoshop.com/collections/minosaka-iaitowww.tozandoshop.com/Beginner-Iaito-s/698.htm
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Post by RufusScorpius on Jan 13, 2018 23:46:56 GMT
Hi, check out Minosaka and Tozando. Both are well known and make very good iaito. But they are a bit more expensive starting around ~ 300 USD. If you don't have the budget better buy a bokken with saya to start with. If you reall want to buy a cheap iaito i would recommend to buy a really cheap one which dont weigh to much. You don't need a good sword to start training, but it is nice to get a good one if you trained for some time and want to continue training. Go to the dojo first and ask what they would recommend for you. Most dojos have bokkens and maybe you can start training without buying anything. You shouldn't spent money if you don't even know if you like the training and will do the martial art for at least some time. www.seidoshop.com/collections/minosaka-iaitowww.tozandoshop.com/Beginner-Iaito-s/698.htm*this* Before committing any money to purchasing a sword for Iato, ask at the dojo what they are using and then get that. Nobody knows better what works, what doesn't, what is of value, and what isn't better than those that practice with them every day. And yes, the first step is a bokken (I like Century brand myself). Also, if you plan on joining a dojo and recieving formal training, the dojo may specify what kind of sword to use. It's best to check first before spending money.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 14, 2018 18:07:43 GMT
Thank you for the good advice gentlemen, I will ask. o7
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 17, 2018 0:39:55 GMT
I've heard really positive feedback on Tozando, although they are a bit pricier than Munetoshi. Now that I think of it, Sinosword could probably make you a good iaito, made to spec.
As a disclaimer, I don't own any iaito (I do all my practice with sharps) so I'd heed the words of others over my own in this case. But it's generally the best route to wait to hear what your instructor recommends as every school has its own preferences (and some can be very rigid/strict with regard to what's deemed acceptable for use)
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Sept 28, 2018 11:06:53 GMT
I joined a dojo a few weeks ago, talked with a couple sensei, will definitely have to go with a Japanese import iaito. So, while they are definitely pricier than what I'd like to pay, I'm starting to apreciate the quality that goes with the brands, so right now putting money aside for one and training with a bokken with saya as counseled, will likely get a custom Minosaka.
As an aside note, this is the same dojo that our youngest son (son to be 13) now attends for his Yoseikan Budo and he's been offered by sensei to get on the tatami if he wanted to try on the last class (as opposed to sit and watch) and liked it and was congratulated by sensei for catching on quickly... he'll ask him if he can be a student too this week, so that may mean a second iaito. Arrgh, my budget.
o7
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Post by treeslicer on Sept 28, 2018 17:06:06 GMT
Real Men do iai with shinken, and kenjutsu with sticks. Just sayin'.
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Post by Student of Sword on Oct 4, 2018 17:52:52 GMT
Dude,
When I was doing Iai, my Japanese made iaito wrapping stayed tight no matter what -- despite many hours of practice. If I had bought one of those budget steel iaito you mentioned, the ito would have came lose in a few months.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Oct 4, 2018 21:50:24 GMT
That is likely why sensei suggested I put money aside and wait to get a good one, yep. All of the students use a japanese import, some for years now and they all look ok. Ironically, sensei's old iaito is wrapped with electric tape over the end knot and kashira, and another sensei of the dojo has a loose, ratling tsuba.
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Post by MLanteigne on Oct 10, 2018 12:42:46 GMT
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Post by MLanteigne on Oct 10, 2018 12:53:08 GMT
Also, are you closer to Quebec City or Trois-Rivières?
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Oct 10, 2018 18:51:13 GMT
Also, are you closer to Quebec City or Trois-Rivières? Trois-Rivieres.
I shopped a lot online and as you pointed out, Tozando definitely seems to be the best bang for bucks out there. The Toryumon is pretty nice and cheap enough... but I admit that I am hooked on the custom Minosaka for now. As it stands, I am waiting for sensei to give me the go ahead to order one, so there is no rush.
I nonetheless ordered a cheap anough custom Iaito from Sinosword for our 12 years old, as I don't see the point to buy a Japan import for now as he's going through a growth spurt. Couple years and I can get him an adult sized Ryumon or Minosaka, and sell the 60cm blade Iaito. Besides, he learns faster than I do.
Will do a review of the JKOO order once it gets here.
o7
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Post by MLanteigne on Oct 12, 2018 14:49:07 GMT
I have the Minosaka Custom Jidai Koshirae model. Very, very happy with it.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Oct 18, 2018 13:40:25 GMT
I have the Minosaka Custom Jidai Koshirae model. Very, very happy with it. Ordered mine today! \o/
Also, a plastic saya for my bokken. That I will have shorten for our son since it's a bit warped at the end anyway. Will most likely also have to re-work it on the sandbelt for the saya fit, and will get a better bokken for myself later. Or we may end up using the same anyway, since weather's turning we have to train indoor, so shorter is better, not to break any furniture...
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Post by MLanteigne on Oct 26, 2018 2:10:15 GMT
Congrats!!
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