This is a standard Jissengata Dobari-style shinai - this means it is balanced with Shiai in mind. The Kensen - tip - is made slightly slimmer to promote the feeling of speed when swinging your shinai and its broader body keeps the balance of the Shinai towards the Tsuka, which makes it feel lighter to handle. The Issen can be customized to have a thicker Tsuka which can emphasize the lightness of the tip even further.