![]() If you enjoy blade artistry and Japanese katana, please say hello and leave a comment below! This Cold Steel video provides demonstrations of the Emperor series tanto, wakizashi, and katana. They are made out of 1095 spring steel or 1095/1060 folded damascus. Although they are not custom made in Japan, their feel and functionality makes for an affordable alternative. How do I get a katana? Authentic Japanese katana can cost thousands of USD! John and I were intrigued by the Cold Steel katanas at last years Blade Show. In addition to having a katana, wakizashi, and tanto, Samurai regularly practiced archery. Adherence to Bushido was dynamic some truthfully followed it and some merely acknowledged the principles. Bushido was the code of honor and self-sacrifice for Samurai. To test katana sharpness and strength, Samurai would slice condemned criminals or those who insulted their honor in half. For the blade to perform at its full potential, it must be sharpened using a whetstone process I describe in a previous blog post. Polishing stones are used to make the hamon stand out against the rest of the blade. The distinct design along the sides of the blade called the “hamon” are made using clay every sword makers hamon is a distinguishing artistic mark unlike any other. The blade is heated, then quenched using water. Black rice straw ashes are used as a coating to retain carbon content. The edges of the katana receive a thinner coat and the spine receives a thick coat of special clay slurry. Differences in the densities of the steels microstructures cause the blade to bend during the hardening process. The sword doesn’t get its notorious curve until the hardening/quenching process. Once purified, the steel is drawn out into a billet and hammered to become longer. During the purification process, steels are folded, welded, and hammered to create a unified material. The katana contains layers of different carbon concentration: a softer core steel of lower carbon content called “shingane,” and a hard exterior jacket of higher carbon content called “kawagane.” This construction gave the katana a strong and flexible architecture, and very sharp edges. Katana are traditionally made from Japanese steel called “tamahagane.” Tamahagane steel is made by smelting (heating) iron steel on charcoal at low temperatures. The hand guard, called the “tsuba,” separates the handle portion from the blade portion of the sword. The katana is typically 24 inches or more in length, 1.2 kg in mass, and has a long grip for two-handed wielding. ![]() The samurai carried the katana and wakizashi pair called “daisho” as an illustration of honor and social rank. The signature of the maker on the blade (mei) were meant to be worn facing outward. Wakizashi (smaller swords) or tanto (dagger) were often paired with the katana. The first to draw and slice the opponent was typically the victor. Katanas were carried around upside-down with the cutting edge facing upward for quicker draw. The samurai of ancient and feudal Japan used curved, svelte, single edged swords called katana on the battlefield and in martial arts. Let’s travel back in time to the Muromachi Period in Japan (approximately 1392-1573 AD). Picture of John Dingman holding a Cold Steel Dragonfly Katana at Blade Show West 2018. ![]() Our blades are distinguished pieces of art passed down through the generations, treasured for life. ![]() Custom knives hold their value and in certain instances, increase in value over the years. Retail stores can’t offer the unique artistry and quality a custom blade will. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, survivalist, hunter, fisher, adventurer, camper, hiker, or connoisseur, an exceptional knife is an asset to any collection. There are many different types of knives available Also, I’m here to listen to the customers expectations and help them create their custom knife. As a custom knife collector with a scientific mind, I continually research the market and invest in high quality knife-making materials. I think that everyone deserves the best quality knives I’m here to professionally deliver the education and products. My husband and I started Big John Blades in 2018 with a mission in mind: that everyone needs a sophisticated cutting edge. In addition to pursuing my cellular and molecular biology research and medical professional careers, I am a knife artistry dealer. ![]()
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