70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
Review for Tozando Custom-made Iaito:
November 11, 2013
Reviewer:
Jake Handley
from Oratia, Auckland New Zealand
Expect a pleasant surprise that your own demanding level of expectation will be exceeded further than you would have imagined. The view down the blade provides a pulse of emotions as your own mind internalizes a search for the right words to describe it while the graceful harshness of the Heshigiri Hasebe style hamon, leaves you charmed. The Higomokko tsuba has a bold elegance that comes from the strong connection to the rustic brown silk delicately wrapped tsuka-ito. I upgraded to the extra deep groove which enhances cutting practice. Properly executed cuts create a fantastic whistle - poorly executed cuts on the other hand, create a muted sound undoubtedly fast tracking progress to your technique. All credit can be attributed to Tozando’s premiere quality both enhancing my performance as a practitioner, whilst enriching my passion of the art of Iai allowing my mind to expand enough to sync with my katana and perform waza better than I could have ever considered possible.
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77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
Perfect iaito!
November 11, 2013
Reviewer:
Andrew Isden
from Pett, East sussex United Kingdom
If like me you have spent endless hours researching your first iaito then have no doubts,this is what you are looking for. The finish, balance and efficiency of delivery were all better than I could of hoped for, as soon as I opened the excellent packaging and held this magnificently crafted iaito it just felt right. Choose tozando and you will not be disappointed.
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
Yoshitsune Masamune
November 11, 2013
Reviewer:
Luis Alfonso Aranda Bernabe
from cASTELLON, castellon Spain
Hace unos dias que he recibido mi nuevo iaito, al que he bautizado con el nombre Yoshitsune Masamune! Masamune por el precioso hamon y Yoshitsune, en honor el legendario guerrero! Tras probarlo un par de dias, estoy encantado con el resultado y la calidad! Me inicie en el iaido con un toryumon basico al que le tengo cariño! Pero este iaito lo supera con mucho, el equilibrio esta mas cerca de la tsuka, lo que ayuda a la hora de entrenar durante horas. Lo pedi con la opcion extra bohi, lo que hace enmudecer a otros iaitos y da un plus a la hora de competir! Esteticamente es precioso e impresionante, con el motivo Tombo, tanto en fuchi/kashira como el menuki. Y el tsuka same negro le da mucha elegancia! Lo mejor que se puede decir de este iaito, es que desde que lo empuñas, no puedes ni quieres dejar de entrenar, aunque se te llene la mano de callos! Un saludo
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89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
Custom all white Iaito Double Bo-HI
November 11, 2013
Reviewer:
Frederic Chatelain
from Noumea, New Caledonia
I purchased the custom Iaito back in 2003. I made a very special request to have it Tsuka silk white, Saya gloss white. Even Tozando called me back and asked me for confirmation, because they have never done such work before. After confirmation, the sword arrived. Even custom officers were surprised to see such beautiful sword, they have never seen before. Double Bo-hi has been a big challenge for me to get Tachikaze. Still today after practicing Iaido 5 years and Toyama Ryu for 3 years, the sword has it's own soul. When angle is not right, no tachikaze at all. Only when the angle is perfect straight, the sword comes alive. 2012, with this Iaito and heavy practice, I won 1st place. Same year, I passed Shodan and this year I am preparing for the Zenmei Seitei Iaido NiDan. Thank you again, the Iaito has great workmanship into it. And even after a decade of practice weekly, the sword is even more alive. I hope to see the steel sword be made, so I can have a sword twin for tameshigiri.
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0 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
Pretty Sword - Horrible Balance, horrible weight.
November 11, 2013
Reviewer:
Andy M
from Everett, WA United States
After receiving a beautifully balanced iado (Minosaka) from Tozando Last year (even though the got the Tsuka Ito Color wrong, and I had to pay someone local to change it), at the recommendation of a friend I ordered the Tozando Custom Iaido.
What a HUGE disappointment. It was SUPER expensive, I ordered tabi and an extra saya which did not come with the order.
The blade is SUPER HEAVY - the Balance is WAY off. I WOULD NEVER use such a horrible quality blade in practice. Hopefully Tozando will take it back, or I guess it's a useless pretty wall hanger.
DO NOT BUY THIS IAITO - THE BALANCE IS TOTALLY OFF.
Review for Tozando Custom-made Iaito: 
Pretty Sword - Horrible Balance, horrible weight.