unsharpened Katana?

[knghtazrael]

This is probably a stupid question but I figured this is the place to ask. I'm looking to find a place that sells unsharpened pracce katana and have been uble to do so. A friend of mine used to take as one of his sword arts Iado and he used a katana that had no blade so, I'm pretty sure they're out there I just can't find them. I'm pretty new to MA and very new to sword my sensei has shown me a few things so theres no way I want to use a sharp sword. I have been practicing with a bokken but would like to be able to practice with something else especialy for the drawing and sheething. any help would be apreciated.


Raymond Bellville

[gendzwil]

Swordstore (http://www.swordstore.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/00307.1.5390734416914569630/02nav/001A-main.html)
Bogubag (http://www.bogubag.com/Swords/Swords/Specialty_Swords/specialty_swords.html)
Tozando (http://iaido.tozando.com/)
E-bogu (http://www.e-bogu.com/Iai_s/59.htm)

[Brian Owens]

...I'm looking to find a place that sells unsharpened pracce katana and have been uble to do so.
Neil gave the same links I would have, to some reputable suppliers.

You may have had trouble in your search due to terminology.

Unsharpened swords for use in Iaido (or other sword arts) are called iaito ("sword for Iai") or mogito ("No edge" or "Dull edge," I think).

(Technically, any sword used for iai could be called iaito, but in practical use most people understand it to be synonomous with mogito.)

In most cases the blades for iaito are made of non-ferrous alloys. One store, SwordStore.com, sells what they call "Iaito that cut" which are sharp, and have steel blades. Best to avoid those for now.

Another option is to order a custom katana, and ask the supplier to blunt the edge. This will be much more costly than a good iaito, assuming the katana is of good quality itself, and should you wish to train in Japan at some point you might have trouble bringing this with you.

So, my suggestion is to buy as good an iaito as you can afford, with your sensei's advice as to style (there are many kinds) and length.

HTH.

[JAnstey]

Neil gave the same links I would have, to some reputable suppliers.

You may have had trouble in your search due to terminology.

Unsharpened swords for use in Iaido (or other sword arts) are called iaito ("sword for Iai") or mogito ("No edge" or "Dull edge," I think).

(Technically, any sword used for iai could be called iaito, but in practical use most people understand it to be synonomous with mogito.)

In most cases the blades for iaito are made of non-ferrous alloys. One store, SwordStore.com, sells what they call "Iaito that cut" which are sharp, and have steel blades. Best to avoid those for now.

Another option is to order a custom katana, and ask the supplier to blunt the edge. This will be much more costly than a good iaito, assuming the katana is of good quality itself, and should you wish to train in Japan at some point you might have trouble bringing this with you.

So, my suggestion is to buy as good an iaito as you can afford, with your sensei's advice as to style (there are many kinds) and length.

HTH.


... now that should be a sticky - well said Brian,

Cheers

Jason

[Brian Owens]

... now that should be a sticky - well said Brian,
Thank you.

I should also comment on this:
...I have been practicing with a bokken but would like to be able to practice with something else especialy for the drawing and sheething....
Your sensei will not only be a valuable resource on what kind of iaito to get, but is also the only person that can tell you when to start using an iaito.

In one of the sword arts I practiced, Seiki Ryu Kenjutsu (an Aiki Toho), we used bokken almost exclusively for the first year. We did more kumitachi than solo waza after the first few months, and bokken were the natural tool for the job. Some continued to use bokken and some of us moved to mixed bokken/iaito, after the first year, depending on the focus of the lessons.

In MSR Iaido, however, I started with iaito from my first lesson. I wasn't a permanent student -- more of a guest -- and the sensei knew of my prior training, so that might not be his normal practice. From what I understand, many Iaido students are encouraged to start with a bokken and not move to an iaito for anywhere from one to several months.

So, again, let your sensei be your guide.

[Jose Garrido]

Neil,

You might want to look at the Iaito from www.Chenessinc.com They are reasonably priced (under $200.00) and good enough to have been chosen for use by the Jikishinkai and Shimabukuro sensei. The one thing that i like is that it is made out of 1045 high carbon steel and not the aluminum/zinc alloy.

I also suggest that you get your sensei's permission first.

Jose' Garrido

[Enfield]

mogito ("No edge" or "Dull edge," I think).Mogito is "simulation sword". "No/dull edge" would be more closely habiki.

[Brian Owens]

Mogito is "simulation sword". "No/dull edge" would be more closely habiki.
Ah, thank you.

I think I've heard habiki before, but had forgotten it.

[Garryn]

This is probably a stupid question but I figured this is the place to ask. I'm looking to find a place that sells unsharpened pracce katana and have been uble to do so. A friend of mine used to take as one of his sword arts Iado and he used a katana that had no blade so, I'm pretty sure they're out there I just can't find them. I'm pretty new to MA and very new to sword my sensei has shown me a few things so theres no way I want to use a sharp sword. I have been practicing with a bokken but would like to be able to practice with something else especialy for the drawing and sheething. any help would be apreciated.


Raymond Bellville

If its not specifically a sword art and you are on a budget, you can get plastic saya (sheaths) for bokken

[Unskilled_Blade]

Ok, I've never posted a link before, so please go along with me here.

www.knightsedge.com

Look there for the swords called "stage steel", and as far as I know
there "functional" but I'd look in to to it a little further cause somethings
a bit suspisouis about them. But, they do sell unsharpened katanas,
tantos, reverse blade katanas and get this: an unsharpened odachi! this is
just my 2 cents though.

[Fred27]

Mogito is "simulation sword". "No/dull edge" would be more closely habiki.

Hm...so when should I use the phrase Mogito as opposed to iaito? :)

[JAnstey]

... when you go thru customs in Japan with your iaito. Makes life much easier.

Cheers

Jason

[Brian Owens]

Hm...so when should I use the phrase Mogito as opposed to iaito? :)
When the majority of those in your "in group" do. ;)