Iaito or shinken?

[Maro]

I've heard that the the L6 blades are "Whippy". Has anyone else heard that?

[Ojiisan]

Chidokan, you need to go here to see some of Howard's work.

http://www.summerchild.com/MyWork.html

[John Tee]

ooh posh word.
theres not taking things too seriously, and banter between mates, and then theres personal insult spreading

]


I am appointing Debz as my official bodyguard. I've seen her Iai so I'm comfortable there. As long as she can adjust her Mae for men under 5 foot...this mother lover is going to be safe!!

[rottunpunk]

hehe
im flattered.
my iai is scary rather than good i guess.
also, im 5'3'' so i should be able to kill other short people quite easily

[Fred27]

I use a €200 (£134) "Nyumon Koshirae"-iaito from Eurobogu for my Seitei experience. The thought of wielding a shinken in Iaido is to me, and I'm not afraid to admit this, very scary. Everytime I try to visualise it [me using a shinken in iaido] I get the image of me thrusting the kissaki into my arm during noto. I even dreamt of it once...It still creeps me out just to think of it!

[chidokan]

I have seen photos but they are not as good as 'having a play' with one if you know what I mean. Kissaki or tsuka balance,etc.. 'feel' in general due to weight and balance are pretty important to me at the moment. Nothing wrong with the fittings, but even if I didnt like them I would just change them anyway. There are other sites showing how good they are, in fact I am sure I saw one where they had bent one sideways and it just poped back almost like a piece of spring steel...
although they are not 'traditional' in the fullest sense of the word, I am sure that if the technology had been available to the likes of Masamune etc, they would have tried (at the very least) to use it. They were looking for the ultimate in sword design, and as Mr Clark is also interested in the same thing, I think it is just another step along the way. No doubt if someone comes up with a 'super alloy' which is even better, that will be another hot topic for the katanaphiles to argue over!

I like nicely balanced practical swords with 'over the top/hyperactive' hamon styles, but the koto style flat ones suit others... who cares so long as it cuts well and does the job it is intended for in a way that does not break or damage it? If it was, say a chisel, you used at work all day you would buy something that is easy to use, fits your hands well, and is almost subconciously used. My ultimate sword would have the same characteristics. I am close, but still don't own it...("must buy another sword" excuse! )