Selecting a Shinken Katana for Japanese Swordsmanship

These guides are based on the key things a student of the Japanese Sword need to worry about. It only includes standard katana used for iaito or battodo. It is based on the specific physical aspects of various swords. Remember that this is only a guide and we recommend that you ask your Sensei’s advice.

Price - Select you katana based on price.
Blade Length - Select your katana based on blade length.
Handle Length - Select your katana based on handle length.
Cutting - Select your katana based on cutting ability.
Weight - Select your katana based on overall weight.
Balance - Select your katana based on balance.

Practical XL Katana

Cutting Ability

This rating is based on our experience with these or similar blades in the dojo. They relate to cutting ability with tatami omote targets. We have also used most of these swords with bamboo and beach mats with similar results. If you do allot of tameshigiri this is going to be an important category. If you are mainly planning to practice kata with the shinken this may be unimportant to you.

Shinken Katana Selection	Cutting	Price	Blade Length	Recommended Height	Handle Length	Weight	Balance	Comments
Practical XL Katana	****	$245	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.1	2.7	4.9	Low cost big cutting power
Practical Plus XL Katana	****	$373	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.3	2.6	4.8	Adds decent fittings
Shinto XL Katana	****	$738	28.4	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.3	2.7	4.5	Adds nicer blade and polish
Musashi XL Katana	****	$755	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.6	4.9
Tori XL Katana	****	$1,172	28.4	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.1	2.8	4.5	Folded performance
Practical Elite Katana	***	$237	27.1	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.2	2.3	4.5
Practical XL Light Katana	***	$254	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.5	4.7
Practical Plus Elite Katana	***	$356	28.1	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.3	2.6	4.8
Practical Plus XL Light Katana	***	$381	28.6	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.3	2.4	4.5
Practical Pro Elite Katana	***	$509	29.1	5' 6" to 6' 3"	14.1	2.9	3.8
Shinto Elite Katana	***	$738	28.0	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.2	2.4	4.4
Shinto XL Light Katana	***	$738	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.3	2.5	4.4
Musashi Elite Katana	***	$738	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.3	2.6	4.8
Musashi XL Light Katana	***	$764	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.4	4.5
Tori Elite Katana	***	$1,146	27.9	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.2	2.6	4.4
Tori XL Light Katana	***	$1,189	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.6	4.5
Tiger Elite Katana	***	$1,444	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.3	2.7	4.7
Oni Katana	***	$1,529	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	14.2	3.1	3.9	L6/Bainite toughness
Praying Mantis Katana	***	$1,529	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.8	5.8	L6/Bainite toughness
Warrior Series Katana	**	$399	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	10.9	2.4	6.1
Warrior Series Chisa Katana	**	$399	24.5	5' 2" to 5' 11"	11.5	2.5	4.3
Warrior Series O Katana	**	$449	34.8	6' 0" to 6' 9"	13.0	3.3	8.5
Tsunami Katana	**	$713	28.0	5' 5" to 6' 2"	11.7	2.6	5.2
Wind and Thunder Katana	**	$803	29.9	5' 7" to 6' 4"	11.5	3.2	6.2
47 Ronin Katana	**	$1,274	28.5	5' 6" to 6' 3"	11.2	2.3	4.9
Tiger Classic Katana	**	$1,359	29.8	5' 7" to 6' 4"	13.9	2.7	3.9
Practical Classic Katana	*	$233	27.4	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.1	2.1	5.0
Practical Light Katana	*	$233	27.3	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.0	2.2	5.2
Practical Plus Classic Katana	*	$339	27.4	5' 4" to 6' 1"	12.2	2.2	4.4
Golden Oriole Katana	*	$760	27.2	5' 4" to 6' 1"	14.2	2.2	2.8
Tea Culture Katana	*	$760	29.5	5' 7" to 6' 4"	12.1	2.5	4.5
Three Monkey Katana	*	$760	27.2	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.1	2.0	4.8
Momo no Saru Katana	*	$786	27.3	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.6	2.3	4.7
Bushido Katana	*	$1,070	27.1	5' 4" to 6' 1"	11.5	2.5	4.2
Meijin Folded Steel Iaito	*	$1,070	28.0	5' 5" to 6' 2"	10.6	2.3	4.3

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