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

Shikoto Rurousha handmade katana shown with cast tsuba, wooden scabbard wrapped in leather to match the leather wrapped handle.

The lacquered wooden scabbard is shown with mottled color scheme and leather wrapping.

Zoomed view of the cast tsuba just beneath the leather wrapping of the handle.

The handle is wrapped with genuine leather for grip.

The scabbard has a black hanging cord wrapped around an ornamental piece that matches the brown leather wrapping of the handle.

Kanji is engraved into the Damascus steel blade, just below the brass habaki.

The handle is wrapped in genuine brown leather.

Shikoto Rurousha Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword

$259.98 ~~Price reduced from $458.99 to~~

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword with Wooden Scabbard - 1045 High Carbon Steel - Genuine Ray Skin

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword

$154.98 ~~Price reduced from $209.99 to~~

Various views of the Musashi katana with black glossy scabbard, cast dragon tsuba, and ray skin handle.

The hardwood scabbard is shown with a glossy black finish between detailed shots of the katana pommel and blade point.

The white ray skin handle is wrapped in black cord and has a brass menuki.

Musashi Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Katana Sword

$162.99

Katana sword of red and black damascus steel blade leads to TPR grip, lays next to black wooden saya wrapped in leather

Honshu katana encased in black wooden saya wrapped in black leather rope that leads to steel handguard and rugged TPR tsuka

Zoomed view of rugged TPR grip and stainless steel handguard with slight peek of red and black damascus steel blade

Zoomed view of the rugged TPR tsuka with textured grooves showing a no-slip grip

Close view of red and black damascus steel blade extended from a sleek black handguard

Close view of black rugged TPR handle on Honshu Boshin handmade katana sword

Black cord wrapped around wooden saya woven through shito dome

Honshu Boshin HellFyre Damascus Katana

$259.99

The wooden sheaths of the katana, wakizashi, and tanto have ornate designs and cord wrappings, matching the swords’ hilts

The detailing of the sheath is shown next to an ornate knife and letter opener with gold and blue accenting with another view of the dragon tsuba.

3 Pc. Red Oda Nabunga Samurai Ninja Sword Set

$108.98 ~~Price reduced from $186.99 to~~

Shinwa Warrior Katana shown with black scabbard, ornate tsuba, and bright pink cord wrapped handle.

Three different views of the cast tsuba and pommel with dragon and scenery artwork.

The black scabbard is wrapped with a bright pink hanging cord that matches the pink cord of the handle.

Shinwa Pink Warrior Katana Sword

$169.98 ~~Price reduced from $236.99 to~~

Shinwa SatinSting shirasaya with white hardwood handle next to matching white scabbard.

The shirasaya seamlessly blends into the white scabbard adjacent to zoomed view of the black Damascus steel blade tip.

Detailed view of the white hand lacquered hardwood handle.

Ornate red box with leather handle houses the shirasaya.

Zoomed view of the tip of the black Damascus steel blade.

Zoomed view of the end of the white hand lacquered shirasaya handle.

Shinwa Handmade Shirasaya

$154.98 ~~Price reduced from $231.99 to~~

Different views of the Shikoto Tiger Wood Katana

A view of the blade, scabbard and handle

Shikoto Tigerwood Katana and Scabbard

$499.99

The Honshu Boshin Midnight Forge is 40 13/16” in overall length

The double-edged sword slides smoothly into its black wooden sheath

Honshu Boshin Midnight Forge Double-Edged Katana

$166.99

Sokojikara Shadow Grove Katana shown with detailed views of the floral tsuba and bamboo accents on pommel and scabbard.

The glossy black scabbard has a bright green bamboo design on the side with brown hanging cord.

Detailed view of the white genuine ray skin handle wrapped in brown cord with menuki.

The scabbard has a braided brown hanging cord wrapped around it.

Cast tsuba shown with brass-like coloring and floral design just above the brass habaki.

The pommel has a bamboo leaf design just above the brown cord wrapped handle.

Zoomed view of the cast tsuba with floral and bamboo pattern.

The handle has bamboo detailing just beneath the brown cord wrapping, above the tsuba.

Sokojikara Shadow Grove Katana

$647.99

Sokojikara Kitsune Katana shown next to wine-red wooden scabbard and with iron tsuba.

Wine-red wooden scabbard with brown hanging cord shown with sword inside.

The white genuine ray skin handle is wrapped brown cord and has a gold colored menuki.

Detailed view of the iron tsuba with branch detailing.

Zoomed view of the gold colored menuki beneath the brown cord wrapping of the handle.

The brown cord wrapping the handle is pulled through the katana’s pommel.

Detailed look at the speckled wine-red hardwood scabbard with brown hanging cord.

Just beneath the iron tsuba is a gold colored habaki.

Sokojikara Kitsune Handmade Katana

$312.98 ~~Price reduced from $545.99 to~~

Different views of the Shinwa Regal Makaku Sword Set

Shinwa Regal Makaku Sword Set

$362.67 ~~Price reduced from $402.97 to~~

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