Don't Buy a Samurai Sword Before Reading This

By Anton Borissov

Nobody wants to be played a fool. I know I don't. When I started shopping for a samurai blade that was worthy of my appreciation and my pockets, I had to consider the array of traps that any sword collector is being lured in today. Stainless steel blades with an 'authentic' hamon and cheap fittings predominate the market and can lure any beginner into separating themselves with their hard earned cash. If You Don't Pay Attention to These Details You Will be Cheated Out of Your Money

We need to discuss types of steel and technologies of making. Stainless steel blades are brittle, due to the higher chromium and low carbon content and added alloys. This type of steel is only meant for iaito blades (dull edge, can't practice cutting and ZERO collectible value) or display purposes. Then we have Spring Steel swords. Blades made from this steel can be quality if they are differentially forged (you will often see these technical details - HRC60 edge, HRC40 back). That means that the edge is harder than the body, which gives the samurai sword its durability (softer steel is more flexible) but yet permits it to retain cutting power (harder steel allows for better cutting capabilities). Swords in this category are medium priced from $200-900.

Finally, you have the tamahagane steel, which is actually softer than both other types of steel, but due to forging and folding process, it allows for the blade to be extremely strong yet flexible. This type of steel is what traditional samurai swords are made of and it allows for great polishing and distinctive hamon (the pattern on the edge of the blade formed during clay tempering). These swords are usually priced above $1000.

Forging, Folding and Clay Tempering.

Authentic samurai swords and such made in high quality forges undergo 3 processes - forging, folding and clay tempering. Forging and folding allow make the blade extremely strong. Clay tempering is what allows for the differential hardness of the edge and the body. Expect low price swords to only be forged. Medium priced swords must definitely be at least forged and clay tempered, while high priced swords are folded as well. The folding of steel is what makes the patterns on a samurai sword. The patterns, including the hamon are what most swords are priced on. Even if your sword is not made by an authentic Japanese sword smith you should always look blades that are at least spring steel, forged and clay tempered, preferably hand polished as well. Polishing reveals the hamon, and every cheap blade is actually machine polished and the hamon is added by a machine as well, making it worthless.

Good luck with your katana shopping.

Anton Borissov is the proud ower and Director of Khan Arms - 'The Trusted Source for Samurai Swords And Armor' (http://www.samurai-swords-armor.com/)

Samurai Swords

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Differences Between Factory Made and Real Samurai Swords

By Conor Compton

Samurai swords undoubtedly hold a certain mystique most other swords don't. You'd think with the Japanese being so used to these swords as part of their history and culture they would be rather blasé about it all. In fact, the opposite is true - the Japanese people have held in high regard all along, to this very day, everything involved with samurai swords; the blades themselves, the decorations, the history, and of course, the artisans who skillfully craft them.

Some would define a real samurai sword as one which has been wielded by a samurai in a bygone era. I believe this is an incorrect distinction. To me, such swords wielded by samurai I refer to as 'original' or 'antique' samurai swords. Real samurai swords are simply swords which have been created by skilled sword smiths in the traditional manner, and not factory reproduced. Hence, a real sword could be just a few hours or days old, providing it was borne of the traditional way.

Massive distinctions must be made clear between factory produced swords and real swords. To the non-connoisseur, a high quality factory produced sword may look pretty similar to a real sword on the outside, but inside, there is a world of difference too complicated to fully explore in this article, though I will touch upon a few key issues:

Real Samurai Swords...

...are made from folded steel. A block of steel which has been pounded and folded repeatedly creating layers, which gives the inside of the blade enormous strength and flexibility, much like the rings of a tree stump. Factory produced samurai swords are usually simply cast or ground out of a strip of non folded metal meaning they are very weak.

...have been heat treated. Clay is placed along the blade at differing thicknesses, heated, and plunged into water (a process called yaki-ire) which is designed to make the edge of the blade hard enough to retain it's sharpness, whilst making the rear of the blade more soft and reed like, to absorb the shock of a blow. This is also what gives each blade the unique one-off pattern.

...are made to battle specs. Yes, even today. While swordsmiths may be inclined to experiment and sometimes make more flamboyant blades, each sword is made to the specifications of the past - that is, to be strong, light, flexible and ultimately, capable of swift killing. No self-respecting Japanese sword smith would abandon these underlying principles - the very principles which made these the world's most notorious and functional swords. To do so would render it a non samurai sword.

In closing, real Japanese swords are a true investment, a true one off, and to hold a sword which has been created by a skilled sword smith in the traditional manner gives an appreciation of the craftsmanship and history, and feeling of awe that no factory made sword could ever give.

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