Katana Sword

A katana is defined by its curve, its single edge and its length: a blade over about 60 centimetres, worn edge up. The shape came out of mounted combat in feudal Japan, where a curved edge drawn across a target cuts rather than chops.What ours are. Hand-forged Damascus blades with traditional furniture, wrapped handles and fitted scabbards, made in our own shop. They are display and collector pieces built to real proportions, not stage props.Full tang matters. The tang runs the length of the handle and is pinned, which is what stops a blade separating from its handle. Swords with a short welded tang are the ones that fail.The pattern. Folded 1095 and 15n20 etch to different depths, so the figure runs through the steel. On a katana the long flat gives the pattern room to show, which is why these are among the most striking pieces we make.Are these sharp? They ship with a working edge unless stated otherwise. Treat them as edged tools, not ornaments, and store them out of reach of children.Katana or samurai sword? The same thing. Katana is the Japanese term for the pattern; samurai sword is the English shorthand.How do I care for one? Wipe the blade with a light oil every few months, keep it out of a closed scabbard in humid conditions, and handle it by the handle rather than the flat.