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JAPANESE KATANAS

Our biggest selection of hand-forged Japanese Katanas!

1 - 36 of 148

Hand-forged by expert swordsmiths with generations of knowledge behind them, the Japanese katanas TRUESWORDS.com offers are beyond compare. These katanas are truly inspired and unique with always evolving forging processes to create blades with blue Damascus steel, HellFyre Damascus and clay-tempered T10 high carbon steel, among others.


KATANA SWORDS FAQS  

  • What is a katana?
    The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat not necessarily for blocking or clashing.
  • What should I look for when buying a katana?
    The first thing that needs to be taken into consideration is display versus functional. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide to what purpose you will be using your sword, then, take a look at the different variety of designs and ornamentation that can be found and choose the one that fits your personality, style and budget.
  • What is a tsuba?
    This is, basically, the handguard on a katana and it sits between the blade collar or habaki, which is at the top of the blade, and the handle or tsuka. It comes in many shapes and designs from basic to highly ornamental.
  • What is that wavy line running down my blade?
    Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cooling at different speeds during the forging process.
  • How do I take care of my katana?
    Having a regular cleaning routine in place is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that will have everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil that is still on the blade from the previous maintenance. Take the powder ball and tap it lightly against the blade about every two inches or so along its length. Take a fresh piece of rice paper and rub the powder over the blade to polish it. Do this until both sides of the blade have been polished and the powder completely removed. Take the bottle of oil and apply a few drops along the length of the blade on each side. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to spread the oil evenly on the blade.
  • What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?
    Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle and the wakizashi was used for close quarters combat. This sword is built exactly like the katana, however, it is shorter in length – a companion sword.