Katana sword is a traditional Japanese sword. It has a long handle and a curved blade. The blade is made of high-quality steel and is folded multiple times to create a layered impression. The sword is then polished and polished again until it is smooth. It is then honed to produce a razor sharp edge. The sword’s hilt, guard, and scabbard are also constructed by other specialized craftsmen. These components, called the tsuka, are considered works of art in their own right and add to the beauty and status of the finished katana.
During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when war was prevalent, the sword’s role as a weapon of battle encouraged a more curved and elegant design to match the fighting style of the time. This era also saw the rise of famous swordsmiths, who produced swords that were legendary for their quality and beauty.
The key to a katana’s strength is its unique forging process, known as tatara-buki. The blade is heated to very high temperatures, but is never allowed to reach a molten state. This allows the steel to retain a higher percentage of carbon, which provides hardness and allows for a razor sharp edge, while the lower amount of iron makes the blade tough and resilient.
After the tamahagane is forged and welded, it undergoes another crucial heat treatment, called yaki-ire. The smith dips the blade into a trough of water to quench it, which rapidly cools the sword in different areas at different rates, creating two distinct zones. The harder, more rigid steel of the sword’s back edge and spine contracts more quickly than the softer, more elastic blade of its front edge, which helps prevent the blade from becoming too brittle. buy a katana here