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

144 Results

“Scratch and Dent Swords” text over a background of a sword laying on a tatami mat.

Scratch & Dent Sword Enigma Set

$27.99

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"

$371.99

The 69” Kojiro Kensai Japanese Odachi sword features a leather wrapped hardwood handle, coordinating wooden scabbard and unique guard.

The handle of the odachi sword is shown next to the scabbard, both wrapped with leather.

Kojiro Japanese Odachi Sword

$186.99

Shikoto Tigerwood Wakizashi shown on a stand with brown tigerwood handle, matching scabbard, and T10 carbon steel blade.

Detailed view of the matching tigerwood on both the scabbard and handle of the Shikoto Tigerwood Wakizashi.

Shikoto Tigerwood Wakizashi

$469.99

The Honshu Damascus Sub-hilt Wakizashi comes with a black wooden scabbard

The wakizashi has a 20 3/8” Damascus steel blade

The handle is TPR and the pommel is high carbon steel

Honshu Damascus Sub-hilt Wakizashi

$199.99

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

$116.99

Literally a handcrafted masterpiece from blade to scabbard, it has been forged and painted by master smiths and artists

Included is a complete maintenance and cleaning kit, neatly contained in a wooden box

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into its black wooden scabbard, which has a colorful hand-painted water dragon

The water dragon-themed, brass tsuba is also complemented by an intricate, dragon-themed brass handle collar

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine rayskin and brown cord, featuring brass dragon menuki and a brass twin dragon pommel

The katana has a full-tang, hand-forged, 29” 1060 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki

Sokojikara Shuilong Katana and Scabbard

$588.99

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

~~Price reduced from $276.99 to~~ $167.98 Save 39%

Forged Warrior Emperor Odachi Sword shown in full with black and maroon cord wrapped handle and carbon steel blade.

Full side view of the Odachi sword with 35 1/2" heat forged carbon steel blade and black and maroon cord wrapped handle.

A man is shown holding the Odachi sword by its handle with chain pommel accent over his shoulder.

Detailed view of the classic black metal tsuba and the black cord wrapping of the handle.

Kojiro Forged Emperor Odachi Sword

$156.99

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

~~Price reduced from $141.99 to~~ $117.98 Save 17%

Honshu wakizashi sword with black and brass handle shown in front of other weapons on tatami mats.

Textured black handle of the wakizashi shown outside leaned up against black wood.

Wakizashi shown with steel blade, black textured handle, and brass accents.

The black scabbard features paracord wrapping, matching the paracord lanyard on the sword handle.

Honshu Wakizashi Sword

$229.99

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword With Scabbard - 30 1/2” blade, TPR Textured Handle, Stainless Guard And Pommel - Length 40 13/16”

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword With Scabbard - 1060 Carbon Steel Blade, TPR Textured Handle, Stainless Guard And Pommel - Length 40 13/16”

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword

$166.99 - $259.99

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