May I ask what you test cut the sword with
Absolutely. We cut rolled tatami omote also known as goza. This is commonly used as a floor covering in traditional Japanese homes and is made of a specific type of grass woven together. It is rolled up and soaked in water for about 24 hours. Once it is ready to cut, it is about the resistance of cutting through a leg at about thigh level. There are designated cutting sequences that we use when doing the cutting of increasing difficulty.
In the style I study, we have a saying: "If you aren't cutting, you're just dancing." Meaning, kata (or forms) without being able to cut is worthless. Therefore as part of our testing we cut from our forms. This can be pretty tricky, but I have fallen in love with the art. I'll post some photos later, but my work computer is being a pain right now.
