Post by tera on May 3, 2021 16:33:20 GMT
Nddave,
Thank you for the recommendations. I was not aware of two of those so I will give them a close look. I appreciate finding options with an eye towards durability and safety.
I confess I've spent hours hovering over Ryujin's page. They have every 'option' I want except they are out of almost every saya option I think would work with purple ito. I prefer basic black. The gun metal grey "might" be attractive with purple ito, but may look cheap and if I'm getting "custom" furniture I may as well not compromise. I keep hoping they will replinish their stock, but it only seems like more and more options disappear.
While bo-hi is a preference, I know a little extra weight (even purpose-driven geometry) are common on blades designed for cutting. As that would be the rare use, but point of purchasing, I won't rule out well made blades that do not have bo-hi. That first option merit's a strong look.
1060, T10, and Spring Steel were pretty much the steels I had settled on for edge holding and durability. While the later may not get as sharp or offer clay tempering, the forgiveness of Spring Steel against error got it on my list.
You did wonderfully expanding my options on a tight budget. When I was researching for my iaito, nothing of quality seemed to exist below 4 figures except Paul Chen/Hanwei, and not everyone knew what to think of them at the time. Many of my peers went with aluminum Tozando iaito, but I have loved my "budget" clay tempered, hybrid polished Paul Chen. It doesn't feel like I'm cheating.
Thanks again, and I'll report back with my findings and/or purchase. I am happy to see there are more entry level options to fill the space of Paul Chen/Hanwei as their prices increased (most deservingly).
Thank you for the recommendations. I was not aware of two of those so I will give them a close look. I appreciate finding options with an eye towards durability and safety.
I confess I've spent hours hovering over Ryujin's page. They have every 'option' I want except they are out of almost every saya option I think would work with purple ito. I prefer basic black. The gun metal grey "might" be attractive with purple ito, but may look cheap and if I'm getting "custom" furniture I may as well not compromise. I keep hoping they will replinish their stock, but it only seems like more and more options disappear.
While bo-hi is a preference, I know a little extra weight (even purpose-driven geometry) are common on blades designed for cutting. As that would be the rare use, but point of purchasing, I won't rule out well made blades that do not have bo-hi. That first option merit's a strong look.
1060, T10, and Spring Steel were pretty much the steels I had settled on for edge holding and durability. While the later may not get as sharp or offer clay tempering, the forgiveness of Spring Steel against error got it on my list.
You did wonderfully expanding my options on a tight budget. When I was researching for my iaito, nothing of quality seemed to exist below 4 figures except Paul Chen/Hanwei, and not everyone knew what to think of them at the time. Many of my peers went with aluminum Tozando iaito, but I have loved my "budget" clay tempered, hybrid polished Paul Chen. It doesn't feel like I'm cheating.
Thanks again, and I'll report back with my findings and/or purchase. I am happy to see there are more entry level options to fill the space of Paul Chen/Hanwei as their prices increased (most deservingly).