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Although length and weight are regulated, there is still a wide choice of shinai styles. The two main types are dobari and koto. Dobari shinai are shaped with a bulge below the tsuba and tend to feel lighter than the traditional koto shinai, which has a straight blade or jinbu and where the balance is more toward the tip.

Shinai styles

Other options are based around handle size and shape. Round handles are the norm but koban or oval handles are also available. These feel more like using a katana and tend not to accidentally slip round in your hands. The obvious disadvantage is that as the individual take are of uneven sizes, it is harder to repair a koban shinai by substituting a single take.

There is also a wide variety of grip diameters. Many shinai makers have started to make a variety of “fat handles” to fit bigger hands. Some of these are a little too big for all but the most ham fisted. It is best to choose a grip size that comfortably fits your hand but leaves room for you to maneuver with your tenouchi.