The Same or samegawa is the strip of material under the tsuka-ito handle wrap that can been seen between the ito layers. It is traditionally made from ray skin because of it's natural texture to prevent slipping of the ito and it's aesthetic qualities. Like any natural product, some will be more attractive than others in consistency, patterns etc.
The more attractive the higher the price. There is also an alternative synthetic samegawa that can be used as well, which is more cost effective and is normally found on entry level to mid-range swords. I am going to include these together even though they are different but the details and explanation are virtually identical.
The Tsuka-Ito, is the handle wrap and the Sageo is the material tied on the scabbard. Some forges will tie them in such unique and beautiful knotted patterns that most of us couldn't re-tie it, if we used it to wear the sword on our waist as it is intended for.
The materials vary in quality greatly for both of these from cotton to very expensive hand woven Japanese silks. There are several man made synthetics and specially blended fabrics that can be used as well. The selected material can literally change the price of a sword by a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.
When comparing the low end solutions to the top quality silks that are used. It is not easy to explain to someone who has not seen both. So, just try to picture the most luxurious piece of material you can think of. It is aesthetically stunning, with every tight weave identical to the last and is soft and silky to the touch yet as strong and durable as woven steel. Then tie a dirty old boot lace around your economy sword and start cutting :.
Ok, maybe slightly exaggerated but I think you understand the point I'm trying to make. These are the pins that hold the handle on the sword. There are normally two but some times only one is installed. One is traditional but modern forges generally add a second for safety.
If one wears out or falls out their will still be a pin to prevent the blade from flying out of the handle. These are very small and don't generally effect price much if at all but I thought they deserved mention from a quality stand point. Quality mekugi are not cylindrical like some of the cheaper ones I have seen. They have a slightly larger diameter on the one end.
This enables them to wedge into place to prevent them from slipping out as I had mentioned. Some forges go as far as specifically selecting aged materials specifically for creating the mekugi. This is rare and not really necessary but can be appreciated on the highest end swords.
When you purchase a top quality sword, they want to ensure that no detail is missed and treat every part as though it is as important as the last.
The furniture replies to all the fittings and pieces found throughout the katana. The kashira buttcap or kabuto-gane pommel cap , fuchi collar , tsuba guard , menuki ornaments shitodome saya ornament , seppa spacers.
Depending how the katana is furnished can effect its value greatly. Most katana will include all of these pieces mentioned with exception to the shitodome. This piece is a nice decorative element found on the saya that the sageo passes through. Many martial artists remove them from their katana as soon as they purchase it, because when wearing the sword regularly for practice some shitodome designs will start to fray the sageo.
For this reason some forges that are very martial arts driven opt to not include them on their swords. The range of materials used to either cast or carve the furniture can range from cheap alloys to real gold. Obviously katana made to be economical will avoid using high end pieces. Casting is a less expensive method for producing these parts and the level of casting ranges from poor to exquisite.
The initial casting work if done properly followed by careful finishing work can yield really good results and will be found on most mid- high end katana. Some of the nicest work found will be produced by hand. This method is the most expensive and requires great artistic ability and time to produce.
Hand hammering and chiseling every little detail from simple patterns to full scenic views of samurai charging into battle is very time consuming but breathtaking once complete. Some forges will put in up to 90 hours of work to complete only one custom tsuba. This type of work is normally only found on the highest end swords.
High end sword makers will account for every part of the sword from initial blade forging to the final piece of furniture to ensure that it will balance perfectly for use. Even a few ounces off and the entire performance of the sword will suffer and require modification before it leaves the forge. To put into perspective, simple cast fittings out of alloy are very inexpensive and a factory can easily produce hundreds in one day. A high end set of properly weighted fittings hand made by an expert can take hundreds of hours or weeks, to perfect only one set.
There are several types of finishes that can be achieved on a saya. Directly inspired by Chinese Jian swords, Chokuto swords originally featured a straight, double-edged iron blade. At first, Chinese swords and Japanese swords were essentially the same, but around AD, Japanese swords began to take on distinct features like a curved tang i. By the end of the 10th century, the majority of Japanese swords were curved from tang to tip, putting them in a class of their own. Anyhow, Japan itself was undergoing radical changes in the 10th and 11th centuries, and carving out a society that had little to do with Chinese influence.
As clans waged battle against one another, and Shoguns seized power, a specific type of noble warrior emerged. That warrior went by the name Samurai aka bushi, aka buke.
Over the centuries that followed dubbed the Kamakura and Muromachi periods respectively , Japan would find itself fending off barbaric Mongolian invaders over and over again. With the increased demand for a defense-based military, there came a peripheral increase in Japanese sword making.
At long last, the katana sword was officially born. Katana, by the way, basically means any type of curved sword, and refers to both the class of sword and the construction of the curved steel. Meanwhile, no story of the Samurai sword is complete without mentioning the name Masamune aka Goro Nyudo , who established the Soshu tradition of sword making, introducing the hamon temper line.
Ultimately, there are five periods of Japanese sword making: Jokoto ancient history until around AD , Koto — AD , Shinto — , Shinshinto — , Gendaito — , and Shinsakuto —present. Since the end of WWII, however, there has been a renewed interest in crafting authentic katana swords by way of ancient techniques. Additionally, some craftsmen explore new methods of construction, resulting in swords of unparalleled durability. In other words, now is a good time to be a ninja like me!
Typically, real katana swords are distinguished by size, age, and curvature. Authentic katana swords are forged from two types of Japanese steel: high-carbon and low-carbon. High-carbon steel is supremely hard, thereby allowing for a sharp edge. By contrast, low-carbon is strong and tough, enabling shock absorption. A sword made of one type of steel would be ineffective, which is why both types work together to create authentic battle-ready katana swords.
To see how it all goes down, watch the YouTube video above, while I run off to assassinate a Yakuza underboss. Be right back. According to the purists, authentic katana swords should be handmade in Japan by a master craftsman, with a real hamon temper line to show for it. The sword should furthermore be razor-sharp, exceptionally balanced, and meticulously detailed. It should also deliver a brilliant shine, and possess a Mekuki, aka the peg that holds the blade to the handle.
Given how expensive authentic katana swords are, you might actually want to travel to Japan when buying one. For everyone else, consider the following variants:. Of course, this is all just a cursory glance into the world of Samurai swords. Should you be seeking more information on real samurai katanas, use the Internet, or go watch Kill Bill for the tenth time.
Ganbatte kudasai! In most places around the world, real katana swords are legal. Generally, most samurai swords don't require a special licence or permit to own. Traditionally, Japanese samurai carried two types of swords, the shorter of which was a wakizashi, while the longer was a katana. Jacob Osborn is an accomplished author and journalist with over 10 years of experience in the media industry. In the last fifteen years or so, the European sword offerings has been significantly growing and diversifying.
Also,the ubiquity of the Internet has made it easier than ever to research these topics and find vendors to supply them. A lot of previously niche hobbies are finding renewed life thanks to the Internet and global commerce.
I like him, I stole his logo for my avatar because I couldn't find a pic I wanted to represent me. But you're right, and I don't hang on his every word. Anyway, I was simply asking a question.
Actually, with the same construction method, you can just as well make something that resembles a Euro sword for the same price. But in the end calling it a katana is like comparing a wheelchair with a Porsche. Yes they both have wheels and a seat RufusScorpius Member.
Economy of scale. Katanas are super popular on the consumer market and many manufacturers make them at all price levels. European swords are still a niche market with few manufacturers making them in much smaller numbers, and the prices reflect that. It's really that simple. Jul 7, GMT vidar said:. Do not cut, do not force others to cut.
Do not kill, do not be killed. Even if one encounters the greatest of sinners, one should kindly offer sermon and show them the path of good men. If the worst occurs and they do not conform, then without hesitation apply kesagiri and send them to Buddha. Skall sometimes gets off base. As LordNewport pointed out it can be harder than expected with proper heat treating, something that is often overlooked at the lower end to keep the price low. I looked at the four swords you posted and think that you can do better and be happier for only a few dollars more.
Musashi has a good reputation, and indeed makes a good sword. Probably the best you will find at equal prices. And True Swords is a good company to save money with.
I have two swords from them, both Musashis. The black ito has faded a bit and the white same has discoloured some. There are better swords out there but as an entry level that you will scratch when cutting will work fine.
The type of steel is not nearly as important as the heat treating involved. I've had Musashi's Zetsurin for probably 13 years now and it's certainly better than many here are suggesting.
I don't cut, but I can vouch that it's tempered well by virtue of having flexed it to the point of failure, deliberately, just to see what it took. It took the majority of my weight, leaning into it, forcing it to bow out to one side.
Finally buckled at one point but I managed to straighten it up with some effort. It's still sharp, if anybody was wondering. I have cut cardboard with it, but not much else.
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