Iaito Katana

In my Bokken shop you will find different Iaito blades from different manufacturers. I stock Iaitos from John Lee and blades from Japan from Tozando.
The John Lee katanas are extra blunt ground and are made of carbon steel or Damascus steel. The company behind John Lee is Haller-Stahlwaren. I have had good experiences with these katanas in my sword seminars. The feedback from different dojos has also been consistently positive. Most of the blades are good entry-level Iaitos and can be used in Iaito, BattoJutus as well as in other martial arts.

The blades from Japan by Tozando are made of a bubble-free zinc/aluminium alloy. You will find different blade lengths in my shop. Beginners as well as advanced warriors will find their sword here. These blades are also recommended for Iaito, Battojutus and many other martial arts.

I recommend the following sword lengths as a maximum length. For many, one to two sizes smaller is optimal. Especially women, who carry the sword above the pelvis and thus higher than men, often manage better with two sizes smaller.

Body length / maximum sword length

155 - 160 cm / 2,30 Shaku = 69,7 cm blade length
160 - 165 cm / 2.35 Shaku = 71.2 cm blade length
165 - 170 cm / 2,40 Shaku = 72,7 cm blade length
170 - 175 cm / 2,45 Shaku = 74,2 cm blade length
175 - 180 cm / 2,50 Shaku = 75,8 cm blade length
180 - 185 cm / 2,55 Shaku = 77,3 cm Blade length
185 - 190 cm / 2,60 Shaku = 78,8 cm blade length
190 - 195 cm / 2,65 Shaku = 80,3 cm blade length
195 - 200 cm / 2.70 Shaku = 81.8 cm blade length

ATTENTION: The measurement is from the notch of the habaki at the back of the blade to the tip of the sword and not from the tsuba to the tip of the sword!  The habaki sits at the transition of the blade to the tang between the blade and the tsuba. This size chart is based on the official recommendation of the German Iaido Association and is for information purposes only.