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.

Oni Katana

Handle Length

Most styles use a katana handle length from 10 to 12 inches long. Some use longer handles up to 16 inches long. The standard guide is that a handle length should be about three times the width of your palm. If your style uses a standard length handle, the longer handles may be cumbersome. The longer handles will make the katana feel better balanced.

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

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