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Post by DevilDoc8404! on Oct 1, 2021 15:32:35 GMT
Hey everyone, new here so if this is posted somewhere else then I apologize for the redundancy. I have recently received a ronin entry level katana as a gift and I was wondering if it would be practical to dull the edge a bit to use as an iaito? Would it be good for that purpose to practice drawing/handling? Any info is greatly appreciated!
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,662
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Post by tera on Oct 1, 2021 16:45:34 GMT
I'd honestly keep the Ronin Katana as-is for when you are ready for a live blade and look at the affordable Iaito options out there. It would be a shame to ruin a functional blade already in-hand. If you are studying a particular sword school, I'd recommend talking with your Sensei about any special requirements for the sword particular to the art, or about what he/she does or does not allow for dojo use. Unless you are going high-end, such as Tozando or Seido-shop, Iaito can be had for less than live blades. This is why I think it may economically make more sense to keep the Ronin as-is. If you never plan on using a live blade, and irndidn't offend the gift giver, you could sell it un-used to fund a Tozando aluminum blade. I have no experience with the brand Musha, but I'll put this out there for reference: www.kultofathena.com/product/musha-chrysanthemum-iaito/
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Post by jayotterstein on Oct 1, 2021 17:15:31 GMT
Hey everyone, new here so if this is posted somewhere else then I apologize for the redundancy. I have recently received a ronin entry level katana as a gift and I was wondering if it would be practical to dull the edge a bit to use as an iaito? Would it be good for that purpose to practice drawing/handling? Any info is greatly appreciated! Are you studying Iai with a teacher? Check with them and or your school in general on any requirements. That said, GOOD entry level Iaito can be had around $300-350 USD. Seido and Tozando have a wide range of entry level Iaito. In house brands, as well as from Minosaka.
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Post by DevilDoc8404! on Oct 2, 2021 0:04:02 GMT
Thank you guys for your responses! I'm temporarily stationed somewhere currently but I plan on beginning formally training with a teacher once I get back. I actually will be getting a dojo pro when I get back, it's been on the list for a while and I assume it will be a bit more robust cutter but I will probably follow your advice and get a dedicated iaito that's authorized by where I end up training. I appreciate the help a ton! I've been a big gun/archery person for a long time and it's great how welcoming this community has been.
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Post by blairbob on Oct 22, 2021 0:36:22 GMT
If you do ever end up training with some JSA, many prefer Japanese made iaito/mogito. The fit and finish from Japan always is another level compared to the stuff from China.
That being said, what I train does some occasional blade on blade contact though we often use bokuto or fukuro shinai. Not full speed or power but enough that I wouldn't want to do it with a blade not made from steel. Japanese iaito will definitely notch from contact. Generally only the senior trainees will actually use iaito on iaito because fingers are nice things and there have been a few times we grazed our fingers during paired waza.
Always preferred to train with something with the real weight of steel anyways. The Hanwei iaito were much lighter than the Cheness. I've never gotten shoulder or elbow issues from the reps or weight like some JSA ppl do (let's face it, most don't really strength train much outside the dojo)
Tera, that Musha iaito looks interesting. The saya on my cheness was damaged though I had managed to gorilla tape it together but the fit of the koiguchi has never been the same. I did order a replacement saya that is too tight and I need to see if I can carve it out a bit and not ruin it.
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