Japanese Swords

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 removable handle is tightly wrapped in the traditional style with imitation leather to provide a positive grip that will withstand years of kata practice. See models SH6000IGG and SH6000IGE for other Practical Iaito blade length options.

Please note: The main focus of the Practical Range is the blade. The fittings, although well made, do not have the same attention to detail found on more expensive lines. The Ito (handle wrap) may have a different number and proximity of diamonds to those shown in the picture.

Total Length: 98cm
Blade Length: 69cm
Grip Length: 27cm
Weight: 1.1kg
Blade Thickness (base): 0.64cm
Blade Width (base): 3cm
Point of Balance (PoB): 14cm
Sori: 2cm 
Edge: Blunt
Scabbard: Black Lacquer Wood Saya

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Having a high quality and safe tool to practice your sword skills with is of the utmost importance! You shouldn’t have to worry about safety when you are working to become a master of the sword.

Constructed from the highest grade polypropylene available and closely mimicking a real katana in length, size, weight, and feel, our practice sword has the advantage of being virtually unbreakable, as well as, remarkably stiff and cut resistant. 

Total Length: 77cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

All Japanese officers in 20th-century wartime Japan were required to wear a sword as a badge of rank. Though traditional swordsmiths made exquisite blades for the highest officers, there was no way they could meet the massive demand required by the military. These katana-like blades are called ‘’Shin Gunto’’ which means ‘’new military sword’’. They existed alongside the older ‘’Kyu Gunto’’ sabres that were in emulation of western-style swords. Though more traditional in appearance, the popularity of the Shin Gunto was a later arrival and it greatly increased in popularity from the 1930s through WWII as the Japanese nationalism sought inspiration from their samurai past.

This replica of a Japanese Officer’s Shin Gunto sword has a tempered blade of high carbon steel; the habaki, tsuba and hilt fittings are brass, the seppa is copper and the grip is wood with a leather cord grip wrap. The sword features a simple locking mechanism to keep the sword locked into its scabbard. The sword is paired with a steel scabbard with a brass hanging ring. While many Shin Gunto had mass-produced grips of cast metal, this reproduction replicates the higher quality Shin Gunto with finer fittings and grips with genuine cord wrap.

Total Length: 95cm
Blade Length: 66cm
Handle Length: 25cm
Blade Thickness: 5.6mm
POB: 13cm
Weight: 1.6kg
Blade Steel: EN9 High Carbon Steel 
Blade Edge: Blunt 

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.