Brian Brazier
March 26th, 2008, 02:04 AM
Paul Chen Tsuru Iaito
Initial Impression
I received my Paul Chen Tsuru Iaito (SH5014) today from SOM and just had to start a review (pics coming soon). Upon removing the sword from the bag, I instantly knew this would be a great sword, the craftsmanship on not only the Tsuru but all of the Paul Chen Iaito's is impressive. The Tsuru shares the same Special Stainless Steel Blade of the Nami and Gorin, the only difference is the furniture and saya. I was truly in awe of the quality of this Iaito, I have owned the Nami in the past and I was very happy with it, but the fittings on the Tsuru were well worth the extra money. I went with the 26" model (SH5014) but it is also offered in 27" (SH5015), 28"(SH5016), and 29"(SH5017).
Fit and Finish
The furniture on the Tsuru is incredible, obviously a Crane theme, it has a Crane Tsuba (handguard), Fuchi (collar), and Kashira (buttcap), all I believe are made of Iron. The Habaki (blade collar), Seppa (spacers), and Menuki (ordaments) are all silver, the Menuki are Cherry Blossoms. The Same (rayskin) on the Tsuka is black, with black silk Ito in Hinieri Maki pattern(standard diamond braid pattern), the Ito on mine wasn't super tight but it isn't loose, there is a tiny bit of movement on the Fuchi end, maybe it didn't get glued, it really doesn't effect the performance at all. The black Same on black Ito with silver Menuki is really sharp, I have always like that combination, and I am thoroughly happy with the finish. That leads me to the amazing Saya (scabbard), it is finished in gloss black, with Same applied from the Koiguchi (throat) past the Kirikata (knob). I believe the Koiguchi, Kirikata, and Kojiri (saya tip) are polished buffalo horn, but I am not 100% sure. The blade on this Iaito is again made from a special stainless steel in the Shinogi Zukuri style, the steel really does give this Iaito a sword like feel, unlike other aluminum alloy blades that I have owned which tend to have allot of wobble in them. The blade features deep Bohi (large wide grooves), which make a great whooosh sound when you swing it correctly. The faux Hamon (temperline) looks more like a Toran pattern, as opposed to the standard Notare pattern found on most Paul Chen Swords. The only negative thing I can say is the Sageo (cord) is very rough and tight, almost like it was made from rope, not cotton, but that is really a very very minor thing, that is easily fixed with a good quality one from Shadow of Leaves, Fred Lohman, or Bugei.
Conclusion
This is truly the best Iaito I have ever owned, and I have owned some very nice ones. The performance is ultimately what sets this sword apart from the rest, the blade is very sturdy and has a great feel. This sword (for me) is the total package, great look, great fittings, and the most important great performance. I would highly recommend this Iaito or any of the Paul Chen Iaito to anyone who is in the market for one, or someone who appreciates a great sword. I have owned Iaito form Japan that were of great quality, but they all had an aluminum alloy blade (which will do the job and is the traditional style) but as I have said before, aluminum alloy blades tend to have allot of wiggle waggle even if your kata is perfect, it just isn't as sturdy as the stainless steel found in the Tsuru, Gorin, and Nami Iaito. If you don't like the fittings on the Tsuru, want leather or cotton ito, or if money is an issue, take a good look at the Gorin and Nami, they share the same blade and quality fit and finish, with different furniture, ito, and saya finishes. And as always this sword can be purchased through Swords of Might, it is not on the site, but Jason can order this or any of the CAS Hanwei products.
This sword for me is a perfect 10
Description from Paul Chen (link http://www.cashanwei.com/product_details.asp?id=SH5014)
SH5014 -- Tsuru Iaito
Our Nami, Gorin and Tsuru iaito are a breakthrough in design and functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the feel of a live blade and is not prone to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of Iaido.
Study on the use of the Japanese sword is a very serious endeavor. Students of Iaido (Way of the Sword Draw) typically learn the sword using various instruments. Most likely they will begin with a bokken / bokuto (wooden sword) and then an Iaito (un-edged training sword) before handling a Shinken (live sword). Iaito are an integral tool in the learning process allowing students to practice with a sword with a sense of safety for themselves and for those around them. Iaito by CAS Hanwei are light (less than 2lbs.) and extremely well balanced to reduce the wear-and-tear on specific joints. The un-edged blades are crafted in 400 series stainless steel with a simulated hamon and are fully tempered to withstand repeated drawing and practice cutting strokes. Each blade features a bo-hi (groove), which both reduces blade weight and produces an audible feedback when practice cutting strokes are made correctly. We offer three distinct models with various fittings. Each model comes in 4 blade lengths 26-29.
Made by Hanwei.
Key Features:
Black Same w/ Black Silk Ito & Sageo
Same wrapped Saya(Koiguchi to Kurikata)
Silver Menuki & Habaki, Seppa, Shitodome
Specifications:
Blade length: 26
Handle length: 10 1/2
Overall length: 37 3/4
Weight: 1lb 13oz
Point of Balance: 4 1/2"
Width at Guard: 1.27"
Width at Tip: .8"
Thickness at Guard: .23"
Thickness at Tip: .21"
Sori: 3/4"
Specs will vary slightly from piece to piece.
Initial Impression
I received my Paul Chen Tsuru Iaito (SH5014) today from SOM and just had to start a review (pics coming soon). Upon removing the sword from the bag, I instantly knew this would be a great sword, the craftsmanship on not only the Tsuru but all of the Paul Chen Iaito's is impressive. The Tsuru shares the same Special Stainless Steel Blade of the Nami and Gorin, the only difference is the furniture and saya. I was truly in awe of the quality of this Iaito, I have owned the Nami in the past and I was very happy with it, but the fittings on the Tsuru were well worth the extra money. I went with the 26" model (SH5014) but it is also offered in 27" (SH5015), 28"(SH5016), and 29"(SH5017).
Fit and Finish
The furniture on the Tsuru is incredible, obviously a Crane theme, it has a Crane Tsuba (handguard), Fuchi (collar), and Kashira (buttcap), all I believe are made of Iron. The Habaki (blade collar), Seppa (spacers), and Menuki (ordaments) are all silver, the Menuki are Cherry Blossoms. The Same (rayskin) on the Tsuka is black, with black silk Ito in Hinieri Maki pattern(standard diamond braid pattern), the Ito on mine wasn't super tight but it isn't loose, there is a tiny bit of movement on the Fuchi end, maybe it didn't get glued, it really doesn't effect the performance at all. The black Same on black Ito with silver Menuki is really sharp, I have always like that combination, and I am thoroughly happy with the finish. That leads me to the amazing Saya (scabbard), it is finished in gloss black, with Same applied from the Koiguchi (throat) past the Kirikata (knob). I believe the Koiguchi, Kirikata, and Kojiri (saya tip) are polished buffalo horn, but I am not 100% sure. The blade on this Iaito is again made from a special stainless steel in the Shinogi Zukuri style, the steel really does give this Iaito a sword like feel, unlike other aluminum alloy blades that I have owned which tend to have allot of wobble in them. The blade features deep Bohi (large wide grooves), which make a great whooosh sound when you swing it correctly. The faux Hamon (temperline) looks more like a Toran pattern, as opposed to the standard Notare pattern found on most Paul Chen Swords. The only negative thing I can say is the Sageo (cord) is very rough and tight, almost like it was made from rope, not cotton, but that is really a very very minor thing, that is easily fixed with a good quality one from Shadow of Leaves, Fred Lohman, or Bugei.
Conclusion
This is truly the best Iaito I have ever owned, and I have owned some very nice ones. The performance is ultimately what sets this sword apart from the rest, the blade is very sturdy and has a great feel. This sword (for me) is the total package, great look, great fittings, and the most important great performance. I would highly recommend this Iaito or any of the Paul Chen Iaito to anyone who is in the market for one, or someone who appreciates a great sword. I have owned Iaito form Japan that were of great quality, but they all had an aluminum alloy blade (which will do the job and is the traditional style) but as I have said before, aluminum alloy blades tend to have allot of wiggle waggle even if your kata is perfect, it just isn't as sturdy as the stainless steel found in the Tsuru, Gorin, and Nami Iaito. If you don't like the fittings on the Tsuru, want leather or cotton ito, or if money is an issue, take a good look at the Gorin and Nami, they share the same blade and quality fit and finish, with different furniture, ito, and saya finishes. And as always this sword can be purchased through Swords of Might, it is not on the site, but Jason can order this or any of the CAS Hanwei products.
This sword for me is a perfect 10
Description from Paul Chen (link http://www.cashanwei.com/product_details.asp?id=SH5014)
SH5014 -- Tsuru Iaito
Our Nami, Gorin and Tsuru iaito are a breakthrough in design and functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the feel of a live blade and is not prone to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of Iaido.
Study on the use of the Japanese sword is a very serious endeavor. Students of Iaido (Way of the Sword Draw) typically learn the sword using various instruments. Most likely they will begin with a bokken / bokuto (wooden sword) and then an Iaito (un-edged training sword) before handling a Shinken (live sword). Iaito are an integral tool in the learning process allowing students to practice with a sword with a sense of safety for themselves and for those around them. Iaito by CAS Hanwei are light (less than 2lbs.) and extremely well balanced to reduce the wear-and-tear on specific joints. The un-edged blades are crafted in 400 series stainless steel with a simulated hamon and are fully tempered to withstand repeated drawing and practice cutting strokes. Each blade features a bo-hi (groove), which both reduces blade weight and produces an audible feedback when practice cutting strokes are made correctly. We offer three distinct models with various fittings. Each model comes in 4 blade lengths 26-29.
Made by Hanwei.
Key Features:
Black Same w/ Black Silk Ito & Sageo
Same wrapped Saya(Koiguchi to Kurikata)
Silver Menuki & Habaki, Seppa, Shitodome
Specifications:
Blade length: 26
Handle length: 10 1/2
Overall length: 37 3/4
Weight: 1lb 13oz
Point of Balance: 4 1/2"
Width at Guard: 1.27"
Width at Tip: .8"
Thickness at Guard: .23"
Thickness at Tip: .21"
Sori: 3/4"
Specs will vary slightly from piece to piece.