Quote: what series of CAS iberia is it? Either way if you bought the iaito i think its gonna be zinc/aluminum alloy.
Actually, that is an erroneous statement. The Hanwei iaito are made of steel as their factory in China is not set up for aluminum alloy work. In most cases, iaito purchased from Japan will be aluminum alloy, and those purchased from China will be steel of some sort.
Joshua, Sayabiki is the act of moving the saya. A good draw will incorporate proper sayabiki, as will a proper noto. Some schools place more emphasis on it than others.
Quote: what series of CAS iberia is it? Either way if you bought the iaito i think its gonna be zinc/aluminum alloy.
Actually, that is an erroneous statement. The Hanwei iaito are made of steel as their factory in China is not set up for aluminum alloy work. In most cases, iaito purchased from Japan will be aluminum alloy, and those purchased from China will be steel of some sort.
Strange.. it never struck me that Japanese style swords could be made in China.
Quote: Strange.. it never struck me that Japanese style swords could be made in China.
It has become a big business in the last ten years or so. Any time that you see an iaito advertised for less than a minimum of around $250, or a steel sword for less than about $3000, then it has been made in one of the production sword factories in China. They have flooded the market with inexpensive Japanese style swords. This means that many people are paying very low prices for terrible swords. However, it also means that there are some decent swords being produced for much less than they used to cost. The whole trick is in knowing which factories make decent swords, and which companies have good inspection processes and customer service.
Saya-biki is when you make you cut you are pulling the saya off the katana and thrusting it back. It's kind of like in karate when you strike with your right hand you left hand thrust back. Saya-biki helps with form and getting the blade of the katana out to the oponant quicker. You will never stop hearing saya-biki.
Registered: 06/14/04
Posts: 2502
Loc: Denton, Tx, USA
Sayabiki is not so much about speed as it is power. It is a definite help in adding power to the cut. That is not to say that it is necessary to generating power, but that it does aid in that purpose. Some styles do very little or no sayabiki and seem satisfied with the level of power in their cuts.
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There is also a line of swords made by Chenness Cutlery that are of very good quality. My dojo uses them and my own company supplies them to other local schools. They have well forged blades with production fittings. Not Hanwei but not trash either.
Here is the link Cas/Iberia Iaito I don't know for certain what material it is made out of my sensei said alloy but the website itself doesn't say. Whatever it is, it is very nice with a good looking "blade" and hamon. Thanks everyone for explaining sayabiki to me. I asked my sensei and he was pleasantly surprised and pleased that I was doing research on my own. I found the concept to be very important and necessary as everyone one else here does too.
Registered: 06/14/04
Posts: 2502
Loc: Denton, Tx, USA
The Practical Iaito is from Hanwei and is definitely made of steel. This is a particular problem if training trips to Japan are in your future as you will not be able to take it with you when you enter Japan. I have not been a big fan of the lower end Hanwei/Paul Chen swords.
I had a chance to swing one of the Nishijin model iaito from http://www.japanesesword.net and was pretty impressed. Good sword for the money(around $350). Fittings seemed decent, weight and balance were pretty good for newer students.
Edited by Charles Mahan (02/13/0704:39 PM)
_________________________
Iaido -
Breaking down bad habits,
and building new ones.
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