Our Practical Katanas have always been at the forefront of providing economical yet functional swords to the martial arts community. These Practical Iaito combine the blade geometries and profiles of Performance Series Iaito with the affordability of our Practical fittings. The removeable handle is tightly wrapped in the tradtional style with imitation leather to provide a positive grip that will withstand years of kata practice. See models SH6000IGC and SH6000IGE for other Practical Iaito blade length options.
 
Made by Hanwei.
 
Overall: 40 ½”
Blade Length: 29"
Handle Length: 10 ½”
Weight: 1lb 15oz
Point of Balance: 5 1/2"
Width at Guard: 1.27"
Width at Tip: .99"
Thickness at Guard: .25"
Thickness at Tip: .15"
Sori: 3/4"

Specs will vary slightly
from piece to piece.
 
Performance Series Katana Information
 
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.