Sdk

[DarkCoyote]

Hello


Thought I would come out and say Hi ( this forum has be a great help, The pics on how to tie a hakama will probably earn me the title of fastest learner, even though i spent an hour in front of my computer)


I started Iaido recently and am getting ready for the big purchase (iaito) and have spent endless hours of agonizing time shopping on line , $500 - $700 dollars is alot of money to shoot dice with. Things are complicated further by the fact that my fellow iaidoka have recieved two consecutive orders that were flawed, all from one of the bigger stores (I'd rather not come out and say wich one since most others seem to be happy with them)

I was wondering if anyone here has done bussiness with SDK supplies and are in a position to review thier iaito.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I bought a few bokken from Kim Taylor (sdk) and was happy, but never iaito. I can tell you Kim is a good guy and I trust him. Plus he's Canadian - a bonus in anyone's book, I should think :).

I'm not sure who the "big supplier" you're talking about is but I've dealt with and recommend swordstore.com. Rick Polland is helpful and communicative and his stuff is top-notch.

[roar]

http://www.bugei.com/subcategory_115.htm

bugei has some nice-looking iaito. Some of them, like the higo-koshirae, you will find at tozando at a much lower price. I think the "basic iaito" should be a good buy, judging from bugeis reputation, they sell stuff mad for use, not wall-hanging. You can see that the swords are made as tools, not as jewelry. Less is more.
The "basic iaito" is a bit light at 830 grams, it is of course a matter of personal taste and experience. I have had iaitos from 1100 gram to 830, and I have settled at a very nicely balanced iaito at 890 grams.
Do a search on www.swordforum.com, and you will find several discussions on iaitos, stores, prices etc.. Happy hunt, but dont overdo it, it is quite possible to research a matter to death.
You will be quite satisfied with a swordstore-iaito, different customers have different experiences with any shop. Most people speak highly of the service there, and the swords are good for regular iai practise for many years

[DarkCoyote]

Thanks,

The votes of confidence from others in the "community" will make this a lot easier.

[FastEd]

I think you will be hard pressed to find much difference in the quality of either SDK or Swordstore Iaito. I train with Kim, and know many people who have bought through him and are happy, I also know many people who have bought through Rick at Swordstore.com and have been happy. Either way I doubt you will be disappointed.

[DarkCoyote]

Cool I emailed him last night. We will see how this turns out. Thanks a bunch

B. McCaffery