A japanese katana sword is a long, curved sword that was the primary weapon of the samurai class. It is the result of a lengthy forging process, steeped in tradition and refined over centuries. Sword-making was an art as well as a science, and the creation of a katana is an incredible feat that requires immense skill and dedication.
The katana was developed in the late Heian period (794 to 1185 AD) as an evolution of its predecessor, the tachi. As the nature of warfare shifted from open field combat to closer quarters battles, the need for a curved, easily drawn sword became evident.
To meet this need, the smith created a process called differential tempering, which involved heating and cooling different parts of the blade to create a hard edge and softer spine. This made the katana both durable and sharp, allowing it to cut through armor.
After the smith removes all of the slag from the raw steel, he forms a long, U-shaped channel in the metal and forges a hard, high-carbon steel into it. This combination of tough, durable steel and a sharp, deadly blade was what made the katana the samurai’s most prized weapon.
The smith then heats the blade again to transform the carbon into martensite, which gives it its razor sharp edge. The smith also determines whether the tip of the blade will be short (okissaki) or longer, and whether it will have a straight or curved shape. Lastly, the smith creates an elaborate pattern in the metal of the blade known as hamon, or “shige” in Japanese. Mini katana for sale