History of the katana

Fundamentally, there are a few things you want to find out about a Japanese samurai sword prior to thinking about what samurai sword meets your needs. The first thing you may want to think about when buying a katana is how the edge of the blade was formed. More specifically, was the blade heat treated?

Customarily, differential hardening is done with clay. By utilizing clay as an insulating material and applying it to the back of the katana, one can let the edge of the katana to cool speedily and harden, permitting the back of the katana cool slowly and gradually, keeping a good deal of the initial softness of the metal. Typically, the changes in the formula of the insulating material, the amount and location of the insulating material on the blade, and the pace quenching determine the character and style of the katana itself.

Second, there are the de luxe katanas. They are strong, shock-absorbent, and have tough, hard edges resembling katanas of the past. Ideal for display or practical purposes, these katanas are expensive, though, since they are handmade in order to replicate authentic katanas.

If you’re looking for the real thing, it pays to do your research. Understanding all there is to know about a katana will help you figure out for yourself whether it’s authentic or not.