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 considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.

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 cool at different speeds during the forging process.

How do I take care of my katana?

Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains 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 from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.

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, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Wooden Handle Katana, Realistic Katana, Handmade & Full-Tang Katanas

151 Results

TOP PICK

Shinwa Royal Warrior Katana/Samurai sword with black lacquered scabbard, black nylon cord wrapped handle and sharp Damascus steel blade.

Zoomed view of custom winged tsuba design along with black scabbard and detailing of the hardwood handle wrapped in nylon cord.

Shinwa katana handle shown wrapped with black nylon cord.

Detailed view showcasing the faux ray skin of the handle wrapped with braided cord and metal adornment.

Closeup view of the sharp hand forged Damascus steel blade.

The tsuba is shown with a black detailed winglike pattern.

Detailed view of the black braided cording wrapped around the solid black lacquer hardwood scabbard.

Brass collar shown surrounding the Shinwa blade with another look at the winged tsuba.

Shinwa Royal Warrior Handmade Samurai Sword

$97.98 ~~Price reduced from $229.99 to~~

Shinwa White Knight katana closeup with view of ornate tsuba, white cord wrapped handle, and black Damascus steel blade.

The white cord wrapped katana handle matches the white hardwood scabbard with white hanging cord.

White braided cord wraps the faux rayskin handle of the sword with brass menuki.

Zoomed view of brass dragon tsuba and brass blade collar.

The white braided cord wrapping the handle runs through the ornate brass pommel.

The brass menuki sits atop the black faux ray skin handle, wrapped in white cord.

Zoomed view of the ornate brass habaki with depictions of a house and landscape.

White scabbard wrapped with white nylon hanging cord.

Shinwa White Knight Black Damascus Sword

$99.99 ~~Price reduced from $199.99 to~~

Shinwa Black Knight Katana on bamboo mat, showcasing black Damascus steel blade and ornate dragon tsuba.

Black katana inside black scabbard with black hanging cord and faux ray skin handle.

Katana tsuka wrapped in black cord over faux ray skin.

Zoomed view of the brass dragon menuki under the black cord wrapping of the faux ray handle.

Black and gold notch on black lacquered scabbard with black hanging cord wrapped around it.

Close view of the black cord wrapped handle with line detailing on pommel.

Detailing of the stark contract between the orangish brown lines and curves on the black Damascus steel blade.

Tsuba with black dragon aside full view of the katana with black Damascus blade and black lacquered scabbard with view of detailing on pommel.

Shinwa Black Knight Katana

$89.98 ~~Price reduced from $192.99 to~~

This Navy Officer Sword makes a distinguished presentation award for distinguished service or an excellent display piece for an office

The 39 3/10” overall sword slides smoothly into a black wooden scabbard with polished brass accents

It has a clay-tempered 27 9/10”, razor-sharp T10 steel blade, which extends from a decorative, polished brass habaki and tsuba

Japanese Type 98 Gunto Officer's Katana Sword 39"

$259.99

Shinwa Dragon Lord katana from various views, with detailed shots of cast dragon tsuba, ornate pommel and lacquered scabbard.

The wooden scabbard with lacquered black with black hanging cord.

Detailing of the cast tsuba is shown with ornate dragon design.

Under the ray skin and black cord wrapped handle is a antiqued cast collar depicting a house and scenery.

The pommel is intricately designed with dragon detailing.

An ornate red box with handle and clasps houses the katana.

The black braided cord of the scabbard surrounds a gold detail.

The handle is black faux ray skin wrapped in braided black cord with menuki.

Shinwa Dragon Lord Handmade Katana

$94.98 ~~Price reduced from $174.99 to~~

The Shikoto Touchstone Handmade Katana displayed on its stand

A detailed look at the decorative menuki

A look at the full length of the katana's blade

Different views of the Shikoto Touchstone Handmade Katana

Shikoto Touchstone Handmade Legacy Katana

$299.99

The Shinwa Samurai Tachi Sword in and out of its scabbard

A view of the handle, blade and scabbard

Shinwa Tachi 1045 Carbon Sword

$66.98 ~~Price reduced from $152.99 to~~

Honshu high carbon steel sword with a black tpr textured no slip grip handle

Black and Silver Katana Sword in Black Faux Leather Sheath

Black textured nonslip grip with a silver carbon steel pommel knob that features a lanyard hole

Sword in black braided sheath with an inch of carbon steel blade showing

A high carbon steel blade with a sharp edge

Japanese sword with high carbon steel blade extended from a carbon steel handguard engraved with Honshu

Honshu Sub-Hilt Wakizashi

$103.99

Shinwa Purple Empress Short Samurai Sword

Shinwa Purple Empress Samurai Sword

$137.98 ~~Price reduced from $193.99 to~~

Honshu Boshin Wakizashi shown leaning against various pieces of tactical gear and weapons.

The black wooden scabbard has a black hanging cord.

Detailed view of the black TPR handle and steel guard and pommel with lanyard hole.

Zoomed view of the braided cord and leather wrapping of the black scabbard.

Closeup view of the metal guard and top of the high carbon steel blade.

The black TPD handle is textured for better grip.

The wakizashi measures 34” and has a 1060 high carbon steel blade.

Honshu Boshin Wakizashi

$114.99

The Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana in different positions

Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana and Scabbard

$229.98 ~~Price reduced from $318.99 to~~

Last Samurai Spirit Katana shown atop traditional background with detailed view of the dragon tsuba and stand.

The black scabbard has traditional engravings and has a black hanging cord.

The circular cast tsuba has an ornate dragon design between the engraved carbon steel blade and cord wrapped handle.

Samurai Spirit Katana with Scabbard

$33.99

JAPANESE KATANA 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 considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.
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 cool at different speeds during the forging process.
How do I take care of my katana?
Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains 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 from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.
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, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Japanese Katanas

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS