Name Type 8 - 1045 Unsharpened Carbon Steel Iaito
Blade 1045 Carbon Steel, Hand Polished, Unsharpened.
Overall Length (+ Saya) 41"
Treatment Hand Heat Forged, Water Quenched
Finish Tameshigiri Polish
Blade (+Habaki) 29"
Weight (No Saya) 2 lbs 3 oz
Tsuba/Fuchi/Kashira Blackened Steel Willow Leaves tsuba set
Balance Point 6.5" Above Tsuba
Bo-Hi (Blood Groove) Extended (past habaki and tsuba into the tsuka)
Tsuka/Ho 11" Wood
Tsuka Ito Black Cotton
Mekugi Wood X 2
Same Real Ray Skin Panel Wrap
Saya 30.5" Black Glossy Lacquered Medium Hardwood
Seppa/Habaki Brass
Edge Not Sharpened
Display/Gift Box No
Sword Bag Yes - Cotton

This is the first truely affordable carbon steel iaito anywhere that we know of. 1/3 of the price of a zinc/aluminum alloy iaito!! It is constructed in exactly the same way a carbon steel katana is... only unsharpened. Hand forged, hand polished, full length nakago (tang), double mekugi (retaining pin). Perfect for those that want to practice kata using an iaito with the weight of a katana. Here is the overall apparence of the sword. Sori, polish, weight... everything exactly the same as a standard katana.

Our Type 9 Iaito is constructed of a heat treated stainless steel. (A well treated stainless steel blade can be still very suitable in katana length. It is, in fact, harder on the tools and a more difficult material to work with.) It does not require the maintanence as a carbon steel blade would. This blade is blunted for iai kata practices. Cutting edge is smoothly finished so there is no dangers associated with using a live blade for kata. The assembly and tolerances are exactly the same as our regular blades. This blade is not made for cutting or striking.