Jussi Häkkinen Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 I've been training with a bokken for about 2 years, I'm ready for real swords. Get an iaito. Bokken is very different from the real thing - iaito, unsharpened iaido sword, is a good middle step closer to the use of a real thing. Iaito also are rather beautiful (untrained eye can not tell the difference - and as long as you keep it in scabbard, most trained eyes can't either) and certainly cheaper than real swords. If you wish to wield a real sword some day, join an iaido/iaijutsu or kenjutsu club. Aiki-ken doesn't count as one - aikido sword use is to supplement the unarmed training, not to train the use of the weapon. You'll also learn the basic things when handling a live blade (iaito is handled similarily). Iaito pages: http://www.swordstore.com http://www.tozando.com And when buying a live blade...do not buy anything that costs under $1000. Price really is a factor here. Jussi HäkkinenOkinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-Do (Kyan Chotoku lineage)TurkuFinland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Saint Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 You get what you pay for, buy a cheap sword and the quality will be cheap, buy a nice sword with good workmanship and you'll pay for it. All depends what you will be using it for. I would save up and buy a nice quaility sword if I were you. "Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to go to his class." Choi, Hong Hi ITF Founder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Gwinn Posted November 11, 2003 Share Posted November 11, 2003 You CAN get a "real" live blade for under $1000. However, in the long run, if you plan to stick with it, you'll probably be happier if you save up and get the "right" blade. That said, you need a LOT more knowledge before you even think about giving anybody any money. Put down the Bud K catalog and step away slowly! There MIGHT be five things in the Bud K catalog that aren't a complete waste of time for a user. The rest are strictly wall-hangers and most are too gaudy and ugly even for that. I bought a set of United Cutlery katana/wakizashi when I was 10, and the other day I found them in my attic. Just out of curiosity I picked up the wakizashi and squeezed. I was able to bend it into a perfect "U" shape with my bare hands. Totally soft, untreated steel. Go here and here and read as much as you can: http://www.swordforum.com http://www.bladeforums.com These will lead you to other places you'll want to check out. By the time you're ready to spend money, you should know enough to make a good choice. ____________________________________* Ignorant Taekwondo beginner.http://www.thefiringline.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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