Titanium Men

[nodachi]

Is a titanium men worth the extra cost?

The set of bogu I am borrowing doesn't have one and it seems just fine to me. Or when I use one will I magically be changed for life and really want one?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of it?

[qpuppy]

The only difference is the weight... Titanium is much light...

[Nishi]

Actually there are 2 or 3 types of titanium men available and only one of them is light (thinner i think). I have a titanium men and it actually ways about the same as my alloy men.
At the end of the day, i have never witnessed any men gane of any quality break. I would say if your buying a super expensive kit, get the titanium, if its just a run of the mill kit, get the duralumin....your the only one who will know :)

[aru-ma]

Speaking of men/men-gane, has anyone seen someone wearing one of those hasegawa see-through men-gane? I've only seen someone wore it once and that was 2 years ago

[KhawMengLee]

One of my senseis uses one from time to time. He says it really changes your view/perception. Doesn't hide your eyes much though...

[ufkenshi]

Actually, if you check out the NYC Kendo Club webpage. You can see a picture of Kataoka sensei wearing one. Look around in the picture galary, there should be a couple pics of him wearing it during practice.

[Old Warrior]

http://www.nyckendo.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album10&id=sensei1&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[Neil Gendzwill]

Titanium men is usually heavier than alloy men. It's more a matter of strength/safety/coolness factor than anything. If you do a search of the iaido-l archives you can find some info David Pan presented (look at fa.iaido on google groups).

[Lukas]

When I was searching for info about diffrent materials used for mengane (prior buying my first bogu) I was mailing with Japanese bogu-craftsman. He told me that titanium is superior in strenghts and lighter than steel and surely best option available but what counts more is a SHAPE of upper rods in mengane.

I saw my friend's mengane (alloy) which was bending inwards after one year of trainings. This was due to improper shape of mengane rods - when curvature is not perpendiculat to applied force (shinai hits), the whole structure is weaker. Now, when it is alloy it will eventually break (which already happen to friend's mengane). Steel and titanium would just bend (but after much greater force applied) and not break but anyway mengane would be useles after some time.

That is a trick when buying online - what you know is only a material but you hardly see if the shape is OK. Then taking titanium may lower the possibility that your mengane will be damaged due to improper shape.

Regards
Lukas