Honshu Training Katana Sword

I love this sword. I use it on my property for clearing trails and smashing downed limbs. It has taken an enormous beating and is still as straight as new. I agree with the other review that this would not be good for sparring. I don't think it would hold up well with blows from the side. But straight on I perform full power strikes and it is totally fine. I ordered a second on that came very heavily warped (looked to me like it was that way from manufacturing) but easily sent it back and waiting on the replacement. I used to train Kendo so pretty decent with a bokken and this one is a gem.

"Honshu Practice Katana - One-Piece Polypropylene Construction, Textured Handle, Mimics Real Katana, for Training" ... is an accurate description. This has all of the features you'd want in a good training sword, with details you see on a real sword, with the sturdiness of a great bokken. The only thing missing is the traditional tsuba, which can be easily fitted with https://www.amazon.com/Bokuto-Bokken-Tsuba-Stopper-Black/dp/B00D64OL4I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3C5U97NGQIO3V&dchild=1&keywords=plastic+tsuba&qid=1619022721&sprefix=plastic+tsuba%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1

It's less of a katana and more of a Scimitar

Good

Well built very sturdy You may need to wear gloves at 1st because you can get blisters however This product exceeds my Expectations well beyond anything I have ever imagined I highly recommend this company and their product

This Practice Sword really surprise me. It felt awkward at first but after practicing a few forms it became an extension of myself lightweight and well-balanced at the hilde. Nice step up from my wooden sword.

The images of the katana version are deceptive. I have several other polypropylene weapons, and they more or less match the thickness of a real blade. This blade while presented slim and sleek, is actually THICKER than any bokken I've used! Now don't get me wrong, I understand that they're going for function over form to simulate real blade weight. Compared to the beautiful detail of the grip mold, it seems like the blade is sheathed in relativity. So let's say you ARE looking for said function. The actual problem is that the grip's surface will do a number on your hands because of the weight of the blade. Gloves are a must if you happen to be a hand-model. Another unfortunate flaw of the design is the large thick block at the base of the blade. It makes it incompletely sheathable in a bokken saya. Not detrimental to practice, but annoying none the less. Now to be fair, I praise the ergonomics of the sword overall. It's designed for wide, heavy chops that are optimized by the curvature of the pommel. And as with most other polypropylene tools, it can take abuse heavier than anyone has any business dishing out. Finer and "flashier" cuts will be hindered by the bulkiness of the blade, however. If it were thinner, cuts would be a complete joy to preform. In short; if you're looking for a cool prop, you'll find that the blade is obnoxiously thick. If you're looking for a reliable blade for serious kata, get a normal bokken. This will shred your hands without gloves. If you're looking for something to "safely" decimate stuff in the back yard, then this might just be the blade for you.

No complaints. Perfect for what I needed.