An improvement on an already great product! I bought one of the older Cold Steel bokken years ago and, while it has never failed, the new detailed grip and tsuba compelled me to buy a new one. Aesthetic improvements aside, which are noteworthy on their own, these new bokken are noticeably more rigid and even a bit lighter, with the intricately detailed new hilt offering a much better grip and a more realistic feel. I’ve struck each model against the other vigorously and repeatedly and both suffered only the slightest of scuffs. If you’re looking for an astoundingly durable yet attractive bokken for training or even personal defense then look no further!