Japanese katanas handmade katanas, custom swords, fulltang. Katana steel added 1 video to comedy 6 years ago 2. Katana steel quality guide for the new buyer swords n stuff. A japanese sword nihonto is one of several types of traditionally made swords from japan. Cheness cutlery types of steel used in katanas what is. In traditional japanese sword making, the lowcarbon iron is folded several times by itself, to purify it. Japanese katanas handmade katanas, custom swords, full. How do traditional hand forged katanas compare to modern high.
Modern smiths making japanese swords in the traditional manner still use this type of steel today, now produced in the last operating tatara smelter, located in yokota, shimane prefecture. Workmanship is key to getting the best quality in the end. Perfect for meat, fish and vegetables, but also suitable for many other types of processing. The warrior series swords share the same highperformance 1060 steel, heat treatment, and sharpness as their emperor counterparts, but we have omitted their expensive mirror polishing in favor of a more practical finish.
Study of microstructures on cross section of japanese sword. Among their products are chinese, european and medieval swords, but the company started with making japanese samurai swords which are still the cornerstone of their business. You surely already stumbled upon the different types of sword steels. Tamahagane is used to make japanese swords, knives, and other kinds of tools.
Defines different lengths katana and their functions. I made the image below to help you identify the various parts of the katana. Chapter 1 introduction to types and identification of metal. One of the best guides to these lesser known and less common sword steels can be found here at the cas iberia website with short, but to the point listings of over 30 different steel types. Like pugpaws2, i too own a sword from cheness from their 9260 line. Japanese sword typeskatana, tachi, wakizashi, nochachi. Mechanical properties of samurai swords carbon steel made. Request pdf mechanical properties of samurai swords carbon steel made. Due to the efforts of many generations of dedicated craftsmen, presentday swordsmiths are able to combine a number of unique metallurgical, material and mechanical properties within a single. Oct 30, 2010 how would a hand forged san mai katana, forged by a master using traditional techniques and steel compare to modern swords like the busse ak 47 and other high end swords made with cutting edge steels in terms of durability, edge holding, and overall cutting ability. First things first folded steel is not a steel type. From pig iron, many other types of iron and steel are produced by the addition or deletion of carbon and alloys. The handling tips i refer to here are based my learnings from the shinto ryu school of swordsmanship, and are. Its kind of a confusing word because it refers to both a class of weapons as well as a specific construction of curved steel sword that became popular durin.
This technical guide will explain the important points to help you achieve successful restoration using katana zirconia. While the sword steels listed above cover the vast majority of steels used for making modern functional swords, there are many others used less frequently. While no longer practical weapons on the modern battlefield, many are still produced today for collectors and. Stainless steel handle collectible japanese katanas for. The era of the straight sword lasted until the 8th century. Blade materials are those used to make the blade of a knife or other simple edged hand tool or weapon, such as a hatchet or sword. Katana zirconia katana zirconia ml katana zirconia ht pskd10white pskd12 pskd pskd15.
We define battle ready as swords constructed of strong carbon steel able to maintain a tempered traditional edge for cutting practices. Dec 15, 2016 1060 carbon steel has high carbon steel content. Any of the abovediscussed steel types can be folded multiple times. Some are actual japanese swords and some are modern western made katana. Kashira pommel brass, copper, gold, silver, steel tsuka handle a form of steel at the core yet can be wrapped in. Pdf effect of foldforging techniques for sword making process. Negate effect of cold working by recovery recrystallization stress relief.
All properties of steel derive from the way its atoms hang together. How to sharpen a katana blade the proper way knife pulse. Understanding that the cutting edge of the blade must. The digital art may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more. Rephosphorized and resulphurized carbon steel grades. Here you find links to some word or pdf files, usually from other authors, that relate to. The katana long sword is a classic example of samurai weaponry. Functional katana are produced by hammering a high carbon steel billet or folded steel billet into shape. Mechanical property microstructural characteristic.
Selecting a sword by steel types there are a variety of steel types heat treatment methods available on our swords. Katana 20 vv continuous speed control controlled by inverter. However, the tatara smelting process, though efficient, is not perfect, and tamahagane is full of impurities and lacks a consistent dispersal of carbon. Blade types and edges is a piece of digital artwork by zapista ou which was uploaded on january 6th, 2018. For detailed information and comparisons between swords currently available on the market, you can jump to your area of interest.
If you know the type of steel you want usually from the types of applications you intend to use the sword for, this guide will save you time in selecting the right sword for you. The best katanas use not one, not two, but three different types of steel. This is the reason why most cheap beater swords are made of 1060 steel. Tamahagane is produced from iron sand, a source of iron ore, and mainly used to make samurai swords, such as the katana, and some tools. Mechanical properties of samurai swords carbon steel hilaris. The overall length of a carbon steel katana s blade is 2728 about 68cm, a handle that lengths 10 about 25. These were of the straight, singleedged type called chokuto. Compared to our conventional products fourlayer structure. The different types of bokken a visit at the horinouchi. Katana 20 sirman equipment for professional catering. Those 9260spring steel swords are considered as a fine specimen that shows toughness and is designed to be capable of continuously and relentlessly cut when used during dojo practice sword communities and forums remain abuzz when these swords debut in the world of. The steel used in sword production is known as tamahagane, or jewel steel tama ball or jewel, hagane steel. These katanas are truly inspired and unique with always evolving forging processes to create blades with blue damascus steel, hellfyre damascus and claytempered t10 high carbon steel.
There are many types of japanese swords that differ by size, shape, field of application and method of manufacture. Japanese swordsmithing is the labourintensive bladesmithing process developed in japan for forging traditionally made bladed weapons nihonto including katana, wakizashi, tanto, yari, naginata, nagamaki, tachi, uchigatana, nodachi, odachi, kodachi, and ya arrow japanese sword blades were often forged with different profiles, different blade thicknesses, and varying amounts of grind. However, the steel type is not the only important factor for creating a good sword. All of our emperor swords feature fully sharpened 1060 carbon steel blades that are heat treated to a tough spring temper.
Experts say that the best one would be spring steel katana. The improved mechanical properties of the namphee specimens were close to those of the tamahagane steel used for making samurai sword. Functional japanese swords functional swords and katana. The tensile strength of the sharp edge of the sword is relatively high, but is. This special forging process creates the hamon differential line, which is a critical factor when sword connoisseurs analyze a katanas artistic value. Manufacturer of fully functional, fully sharpened, traditional forged japanese katana swords designed for iaido and tameshigiri. How do traditional hand forged katanas compare to modern. The system for identification of steel types in the us is based on the numbers assigned i.
In modern times the most commonly known type of japanese sword is the shinogizukuri katana, which is a singleedged and usually curved longsword traditionally worn by samurai from the 15th century onwards. The steel would be sharpened to create the razor edge and the soft metal made the katana unbreakable in duels. Paul chen chen chaopo, the founder of hanwei is one of the worlds leading providers of high quality katana. Sep 21, 2018 the steel would be sharpened to create the razor edge and the soft metal made the katana unbreakable in duels.
Immortal poet kanesada this sword was owned by warlord hosokawa tadaoki sansai, 15631646, who was also the leading poetry scholar of his day. Spring steel katanas are characterized by an excellent durability. Which is the best blade material for katana and why high. It is the most important sword of the three swords worn by samurai. All products are produced ondemand and shipped worldwide within 2 3 business days. I have been studying various types of kenjutsu for 18 years now on and off, along with other japanese traditional weapons arts, however until now have just looked at myself as a student and probably always will. A katana is a japanese long sword used by samurai warriors. Jul 20, 2019 you surely already stumbled upon the different types of sword steels. This makes the warrior series a perfect choice for training and perfecting cutting techniques tameshigiri without damaging. It has ten times as much silicon as 5160 spring steel, and is known to be incredibly flexible.
Therefore, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the various sword steels. After rough shaping of the sword blade occurs, the katana blade is hardened by either through tempering or traditional differential tempering. Katana 12 pto 7501 1ph3ph 3 12 1440 335 600 393 758 587 902 680 92 508 850 467 836 710 873 18 71 1200x670x800 89. While having your katana displayed across your body, as the next photo shows, published by.
Arrowheads for war, yajiri, were also made using the same. Everyone loves a tough sword that is capable to withstand any onslaught and abuse. Steelworker advanced will present additional information about their properties. However, if done incorrectly air pockets may form inside the steel, which makes the entire blade really bad. Tamahagane is a type of steel made in the japanese tradition. I have been studying various types of kenjutsu for 18 years now on and off, along with other japanese traditional weapons arts, however until now have. A katana with a 30 cutting edge and of the dimensions you quoted would be somewhat on the robust side of what is normal but there is no normal for katana really. The blade is then carefully handfinished with a beautiful mirror polish applied to the fuller. Pig iron comparatively weak and brittle with limited use. Japanese swordsmithing is the labourintensive bladesmithing process developed in japan for. Now other samurai swords such as the tanto, iaito, or wakizashi will have slightly different components as well and vary in their size and use. We do know that in the 5th century steel swords were already made in japan. The katanas weight is function of the carbon steel type used, but it ranges between 1 and 1. Some of the more commonly known types of japanese swords are the tachi, katana, wakizashi, odachi and nagamaki.
Tamahagane is used to make japanese swords, knives, and other kinds of tools the carbon content of the majority of analyzed japanese sword historically lies between 0. Underneath the handle there is some type of fitting paper which was used to make the handle stick on very tight. These katanas are truly inspired and unique with always evolving forging processes to create blades with blue damascus steel, hellfyre damascus and claytempered t10 high carbon steel, among others. It was used by the samurai of ancient and feudal japan. Yet somehow, the katana gets the best of both worlds. Kashira pommel brass, copper, gold, silver, steel tsuka handle a form of steel at the core yet can be wrapped in nylon or leather occasionally stingray leather. The complete history of the japanese samurai sword. It is a very good piece for training and it can endure the mistaken angle of cut, the wrong hits because of its high shock absorption. This creates lines in the swords blade mostly used in katanas.
The method of hardening the steel that is so typical of japanese swords was first used in 6th century. A katana that is too sharp will cut light targets easily, but roll its edge after only a few cuts. Legend has it that he used this to kill thirtysix disloyal subordinates though there is no documentary evidence for. In making japanese sword, the special steel called. The higher the % of carbon in the steel, then the more rigid it becomes. People have achieved fantastic results with l6, just as they have with 9260, 1060, 1040 and any other blade steel you care to name. Study of japanese sword from a viewpoint of steel strength nihonto. The word tama means round and precious, like a gem. Steel some common types bending of 4 steel specification mils18729c states that 4 steel. How would a hand forged san mai katana, forged by a master using traditional techniques and steel compare to modern swords like the busse ak 47 and other high end swords made with cutting edge steels in terms of durability, edge holding, and overall cutting ability.
Handforged by expert swordsmiths with generations of knowledge behind them, the japanese katanas offers are beyond compare. Swords have been made from as early as the kofun period, though most people generally refer to the curved blades made after the heian period when speaking of japanese swords. Obviously, spring steel katana inherits the ability of resisting to high degree of bending and can often recover the initial shape and form. Enamel layer 35% transition layer 1 15% transition layer 2 15% body dentin layer 35% percentages shown in the brackets. The first two digit will refer to the major alloying agent and its percentage. Authentic japanese swords called nihonto are usually very expensive. What these numbers represent are the major alloying agents and the carbon contents contained in the particular steel. The more rigid a sword is the more prone it is to breakingsnapping. The following briefly presents different types of iron and steel made from iron. Steel numbers such as 1045, 1095, 5166, 9260 significantly change the properties of the blade. It is quite tough and can keep its edge fairly well. Dec 15, 2016 when buying a katana for the very first time there are certain details that need to take into consideration.
Katana simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Rick vinci, a stanfordtrained materials scientist and engineer at lehigh university, by nova does a good job of describing both the materials science and engineering of the samurai sword the sword is an excellent example of people, first of all, understanding the requirements of the particular application. An old, famous japanese sword has been studied metallurigically to observe its microstructure by. So i decided to take apart the katana and show a bit of the tang. Deform steel with large grains, then normalize to make grains small. The different types of bokken a visit at the horinouchi workshop.