Thanks for trying the iaito out! All of Cloudhammer blades start their life as unsharpened, because a many of our swords go to countries that don't allow edges weapon imports; so this iaito could definitely be sharpened if you wanted to transform it into a shinken. Conversely, if you want a beautiful iaito with a sashikomi-polished ha and pearskin finish ji that we usually sell as a shinken, we can leave it unsharpened to function as such. We'lll have to send you a prettier model when you're done with this one (where it will begin a second life as my own iaito!) Also, this iaito is a "first-generation" so to speak, and we're working on upping our fit and finish game, even on the entry level stuff. The later iterations are better with transitions.

Matthew, I appreciated your ramble on iaido today. I started iaido rather late in life - age 52 - and still continue today at age 74. I find it gives me a respite from the grind of our world. I can lose myself in the kata and afterwards I feel better. Keep up the good work.

Been wanting to see a Zsey cut used Japanese tatami, curious to see what it compares to, future video maybe

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

It does not have much meat on the bone and is a very light blade. I suspect it will do well enough cutting a single mat but it does not have a lot of mass. If iaido and light cutting are the goal, then it is a good size. Bamboo and tatami are going to be tough to cut through. At least it is not going to do a lot of the work for you.

@z-sey

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen Hi Matthew, we have tested it , the blade can go through the test of bamboo and tatami. Need to pay attention to the skill of cutting. Because the blade with bohi is light, the incorrect skill may cause the blade to bend easier than the blade without bohi.

Relatable talk. I've heard that meditation is all about returning to the present moment. With swords, that's unnecessary because you're already there. Takes the hard part right out of it.

I was very impressed with cloudhammer/byzer. Can't wait to get more in hand.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Exciting times.

@erichusayn

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen very much so. Seems like their kind of buisiness model is surpassing the old standards like hanwei, dynasty forge, dragon king, etc.

Same weight from Iaito to shinken. I’m sold!!!

Thank you for sharing the video. I find iaido to offer similar experiences.

Great video. And I agree completely. I train HEMA and going to class takes me out of my reality long enough to reduce any stress I am holding on to. I wasn't able to go for a couple weeks, and my attitude definitely reflected it.

I really like what z sey offers for their prices. Their blades are stunning. Do you still have plans to test again the albion mercenary sword with a razor sharp ?

Hi brother, can you do a full review ( cutting and quality) on "fidestisan" katanas. They have handmade T10 katanas and 9260 steel machine made as well. I'd love to hear your opinion on both swords... Thank you

One reason I run a dojo, gives me a break and ability to train. I'm rural so for me to train I have to teach. The blades I have found fantastic that I have kept and keep training with are only from three companies (Skyjiro, Dragon King, Ryansword), not many make good 30"+ nagasa. I really wanted to like Roninkatana but the ito being meh made me sell it. I'm testing a 2.8 shaku from Cloudhammer currently, its going around to my various instructors. It's interesting.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

How long does it take you to forge a good training partner?

@tengu190

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen Someone with zero Japanese sword background it takes at least four months for them to be comfortable doing partner training, keiko. That's just kendo. For iaido I don't do any kumitachi till they are halfway through seiteigata, four to six months at the minimum. For Jodo second month we start doing kumitachi drills.

I have 2 Z sey, my prawn folded steel Shinken came with a tsuba rattle. I fixed it but my other, cheaper one came with a crack in the Saya

@peterjanjanin9883

Жыл бұрын

I only use the ZXN-275J for cutting Tatami

The swords look beautiful. And your Iai is so smooth. I gotta ask since I also have a small collection of 4-5 swords. Do you keep them in sword bags when stored? Or just out in the open?

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

They are usually kept in bags on a rack.. due to move they are in bags leaning on a wall.

You can buy a shinken over Tozando which looks exactly like your Tozando Iaitō. But it will cost at least 6k, but it's traditionally handmade.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

I wonder how close they would get. Getting the curve and size exact on a small light blade is hard. Differential heat treatment can be a tricky thing. Would be interesting to see done.

Which “real japanese made” katana companies are you referring to/recommend around the $300-$500 range? Thanks!

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

I think you can find real japanese sword in the $300-$500 range but they are likely old/tire wakizashi. I don't think you can buy one for $500 if you are specifically meaning Nihonot

That's some stiff competition for not only Chinese brands, but I think the price has gone down on Japanese Iaito as well. The quality and variety available have really increased in just the past five years. Back when I started training, if you couldn't afford a Japanese made Iaito, you only could find a remounted Gunto or you were stuck using Bokken. Now there's, as they say, an embarrassment of riches.

@Tygrus

Жыл бұрын

yen has dropped and apparently tozando is buying up and consolidating the iaito market

@ambulocetusnatans

Жыл бұрын

@@Tygrus I always liked Seido better anyway. Not sure what their current prices are though.

I used to get really bad tennis elbow when I started iaido. I have some exercises that'll help, let me know if you're interested.

The Z-sey one is pretty.

I find your better off in quality to go with Z-Sey. Cloudhammer is slacking, Low grade samegawa and fittings.

I subscribe to the philosophy of 2 is 1 and 1 is none. So the "one sword" policy is actually two just to be safe. Because if you mess up your one sword, your screwed if you didn't have the second ...