Gorin iaito - 29" blade
Measurements
Iaito have long been the preferred training tools for safe practice of the Japanese sword drawing art - Iaido. While not designed for sword-on-sword contact or actual test cutting, the non-sharp iaito is perfectly weighted and balanced for its designed task of safe and repetitive drawing practice.
Studying the use of the Japanese sword is a very serious endeavor. Students of iaido learn the sword arts using various instruments. Most likely they will start out using a bokken / bokuto (wooden sword) and then an iaito (un-edged training sword) before handling a shinken (live sword). Iaito are an integral tool in the learning process allowing students to practice with a sword with a sense of safety for themselves and for those around them. This iaito, made by Paul Chen/Hanwei, is light and extremely well balanced. The bo-hi (fuller) takes weight out of the blade and allows for an audible "swoosh" sound when the sword is properly swung. The blade has a false-edge and is made of cutlery grade stainless steel with an artificial temper line (hamon).
These iaito are a breakthrough in design and functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are more durable than iaito made of aluminum alloy. Steel feels more like a live blade and is not prone to wobble when swung. Through a special tempering process these blades do not have the brittle behavior often associated with stainless steel, but retain its low maintenance rust resistant qualities.
The Gorin series of iaito feature a "double D" Musashi tsuba; brushed steel fuchi and kashira en suite; a genuine same (ray skin) grip wrapped with black matte leather ito; silver habaki and menuki; and a textured black wooden scabbard (saya) with a black cotton sageo.
These very affordable iaito are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of Iaido.
length: 40 5/8"
blade: 29" to habaki
blade thickness: 1/4"
blade width: 1 1/4"
grip: 10 3/4"
guard: 3"
weight (sword): 1 lb 15.4 oz
weight (sword & scabbard): 2 lb 11.0 oz