If you have any questions just email us at info@nihonzashi.com. We will be happy to discuss different katana and help you make the best choice. No one katana is perfect for everyone. Every katana is hand made and will vary some from the standard size and weight.

Comparison Chart
Classic Shinken
Performance/Elite Series

Comparison Chart

We will be filling in the missing data as it becomes available. We have a full set of measurements on our Shinken Size/Weight page.

Shinken Model	Blade Length	Handle Length	Blade Geometry	Bo-hi	Folded	Blade Material	Weight (no saya)	Tsuka Ito	Kissaki	Saya
Practical Classic	27.4"	11.1"	Classic	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.1 lb	Synthetic Suede	Medium	Gloss Black
Practical Light	27.3"	12.3"	Classic	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.2 lb	Synthetic Suede	Medium	Gloss Black
Practical Elite	27.0"	11.2"	Elite	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.3 lb	Synthetic Suede	Medium	Gloss Black
Practical XL Light	28.5"	11.2"	XL Light	Yes	No	hi carbon steel	2.5 lb	Synthetic Suede	Medium	Gloss Black
Practical XL	28.5"	11.2"	XL	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.7 lb	Synthetic Suede	Medium	Gloss Black
Practical Plus Classic	27.4"	12.2"	Classic	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.2 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Textured Black
Practical Plus Elite	28.1"	11.3"	Elite	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.5 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Textured Black
Practical Plus XL Light	28.5"	11.2"	XL Light	Yes	No	hi carbon steel	2.4 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Textured Black
Practical Plus XL	28.5"	11.2"	XL	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.6 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Textured Black
Practical Pro Elite	29.0"	14"	Classic	No	No	hi carbon steel	2.9 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss Black
Tsunami	28.0"	11.7"	Classic	No	No	T10 hi carbon steel	2.6 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Golden Oriole	27.2"	14.0"	Classic	Yes	No	hi carbon steel	2.2 lb	Blue Cotton	Medium	Gloss Blue
Musashi Elite	29.0"	11.2"	Elite	No	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.5 lb	Black Leather	Medium	Matte Black
Musashi XL Light	28.5"	11.2"	XL Light	Yes	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.4 lb	Black Leather	Medium	Matte Black
Musashi XL	28.5"	11.2"	XL	No	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.6 lb	Black Leather	Medium	Matte Black
Shinto Elite	28.0"	11.2"	Elite	No	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.4 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss Black
Shinto XL Light	28.5"	11.3"	XL Light	Yes	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.5 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss Black
Shinto XL	28.5"	11.3"	XL	No	No	1065 hi carbon steel	2.7 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss Black
Wind and Thunder	29.9"	11.5"	Classic	No	No	1065 hi carbon steel	3.2 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Tea Culture	29"	12"	Classic	Yes	No	Hi Carbon Steel	2.5 lb	Black Suede(battel wrap)	Medium	Gloss Black
Three Monkey	27"	11.2"	Classic	Yes	No	Hi Carbon Steel	2.0 lb	Brown Cotton	Medium	Textured Black
Momo-no-Saru Katana	27.3"	11.6"	Classic	No	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.3 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss Black
Meijin	28.0"	10.5"	Classic	Yes	Yes	T10 hi carbon steel	2.3 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss/Matte black stripes
Bushido	27.2"	11.5"	Classic	No	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.5 lb	Brown SIlk	Medium	Gold with brass inlays
Tori Elite	28"	11.2"	Elite	No	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.6 lb	Brown Leather on black same	Medium	Textured brown with ridges
Tori XL Light	28.5"	11.2"	XL Light	Yes	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.6 lb	Brown Leather on black same	Medium	Textured brown with ridges
Tori XL	28.5"	11.2"	XL	No	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.8 lb	Brown Leather on black same	Medium	Textured brown with ridges
Tiger Classic	29.8"	13.9"	Classic	Yes	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.7 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Gloss black with brass inlays
Tiger Elite	29"	11"	Elite	No	Yes	K120C Swedish powdered steel	2.7 lb	Black Cotton	Medium	Matte black with gloss stripes & bamboo
Oni	29"	14"	XL	No	Yes	L6 Bainite	3.1 lb	Black Silk	Long	Gloss Black with ridges
Praying Mantis	29"	11"	XL Light	Yes	Yes	L6 Bainite	2.5 lb	Green Silk	Long	Textured brown
Warrior Katana	28.5"	11.3"	Cold Steel	Yes	No	1055 Steel	2.5 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Warrior Chisa Katana	24.5"	11.5"	Cold Steel	Yes	No	1055 Steel	2.5 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Warrior O Katana	34.8"	13"	Cold Steel	Yes	No	1055 Steel	3.3 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Imperial Katana	28.4"	11.0"	Cold Steel	Yes	No	1055 Steel	2.4 lb	Black Cotton	Long	Gloss Black
Dragonfly Katana	29.3"	11.4"	Cold Steel	Yes	No	1055 Steel	2.5 lb	Green Cotton	Long	Gloss Black

Classic Shinken

These pieces from CAS/Hanwei have been the mainstay of their Samurai sword line for a number of years and redefined what is possible in an affordable, historically accurate, and functional series of swords. The latest generation has a higher standard of blade polish and other improvements in detail. The Tsunami and the Wind and Thunder were transition designs that share many of the features of the Performance/Elite lines but offer unique features. They also have wakizashi/tanto that match fittings and blade characteristics. The Tea Culture and Three Monkey are new additions to this line.

Performance/Elite Series

The Performance series is probably the most significant advancement in affordable katana. It features four distinct blade variations (Iaito, Katana/Elite, XL, and XL Light). Each sword has been designed from the ground-up, with blade geometry specially adapted to the needs of each Japanese martial arts discipline. The series features a wide range of steels and furniture styles to meet every budget. The Elite Series incorporates a blend of the features of the Katanas in the popular Classic Series and those in the new Performance Series. The swords in the Elite Series embody a careful blend of form and function. The swords have an upgraded standard of blade polish and other refinements in detail while changes in blade design have been introduced to enhance cutting performance.

Elite: Frequent Cutting / Occasional Drawing

Practice These Katana Blades embody the classical design elements of the most prolific sword design in history. With their strong Shinogi Zukuri shape that accentuates the differential heat treatment, these blades are traditionally proportioned to appeal to the collector but they will also perform well in general cutting of hard or soft targets.

[I expected these to be a rehash of the classis series but was pleasantly surprised with their ability to cut tatami without effort. - Mike Femal]

XL: Heavy Competitive Cutting

Designed strictly for competitive cutting, the XL Katana blades incorporate the geometry, strength, weight and profile needed for successful cuts on substantial targets. Featuring differential heat treatment and a narrow edge angle, these wide blades will reward good technique with clean cuts and excellent durability.

[These are my choice for serious tameshigiri. They are on par with the best cutters I have used and are significantly less expensive. - Mike Femal]

XL Light: Competitive Cutting / Light Weight

The XL Light blades feature the same geometry as those of the XL but incorporate deeply cut grooves (bo-hi) to reduce the weight of the blade while retaining most of its strength and cutting ability. This weight reduction makes for a quicker sword, well adapted for multiple cuts in lighter targets.

[A lighter weight cutter than I am used to, but much better balanced too. - Mike Femal]