Our Performance Series Katana are the culmination of years of study of the optimum blade designs for today's martial artists. Four distinct variations are available, each optimized for a particular discipline or cutting application. The laito is an unedged training blade, available in three different lengths, for use in drawing practice and Kata. Its correctly-weighted and balanced steel blade prepares the student for advanced work with live blades. The blade geometry and physical characteristics of each of the Tameshigiri (cutting practice) blades are tailored towards different targets. The Elite Katana's blade is a little wider than its traditional counterpart, allowing for easier cuts on normal tameshigiri targets, while that of the Katana XL is significantly wider, producing a very thin edge that will sail right through traditional cutting targets such as multiple rolled and soaked tatami mats. The Katana XL Light has the XL's profile but is provided with bo-hi (groove or fuller), reducing the weight to the point where double cuts are possible but clean cuts on tameshigiri targets may still be made.
The traditional soaked tatami mat is the ideal target, but foam noodles and various water bottles can be an inexpensive substitute. The thinner blade profiles of the XL and XL Light are not meant for hard target cutting such as bamboo or wooden dowels.
Iaito:
Frequent Drawing Practice
These unedged training blades provide for safe drawing for the beginning practitioner of the 450 year old art of Iaido. Forged from stainless steel the tempered blades are not only maintenance-free but more importantly provide the correct weight and balance needed for the rigors of repetitve drawing and sword motion practice. Each blade has a deeply cut groove (bo-hi) to provide audible feedback when swung properly.
Elite Katana:
Frequent Cutting / Advanced Drawing Practice
Our Katana Blades embody the classical design elements of the most prolific sword design in history. With their strong Shinogi Zukuri shape that accentuates the differential heat treatment, these blades are traditionally proportioned to appeal to the collector but they will also perform well in general cutting of hard or soft targets.
XL:
Competitive Cutting
Designed strictly for competitive cutting, our XL Katana blades incorporate the geometry, strength, weight and profile needed for successful cuts on substantial targets. Featuring differential heat treatment and a narrow edge angle, these wide blades will reward good technique with clean cuts and excellent durability.
XL Light:
Competitive Cutting / Lighter Weight
The XL Light blades feature the same geometry as those of the XL but incorporate deeply cut grooves (bo-hi) to reduce the weight of the blade while retaining most of it’s strength and cutting ability. This weight reduction makes for a quicker sword, well adapted for multiple cuts in lighter targets.