This replica sword has the feel of a weapon but not all the genuine details of temper and quality you'd find in a combat sword. In the hand, it has a nice balance with an 11-inch handle meant for two-handed action and a 28-1/2-inch high carbon steel blade. The hamon or tempering mark has been added with an etching and polishing process and doesn't represent the genuine edge hardening of fine combat katanas, but does add to the authentic look. In minor details, the sword is a little too simplified with a functional tsuba that looks stamped or cut instead of forged.

Other decorations match the movie sword accurately, including the emblem on the handle over the real rayskin covering. The less ornate symbol of the bride carved on the wooden scabbard is emphasized with gold lacquer. The sword's wrapping or ito uses woven leather straps to create a functional non-slip grip close to genuine katana designs in general appearance.

The display set includes a simple black desktop stand for the katana and a polishing kit in a simple wooden box. Marked with Hattori Hanzo's name in both English and Japanese, this polishing kit should actually be used from time to time. The cleaning materials provided will protect the finish of the carbon steel blade.

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FromShun Classic Knives, the blade is made up of a VG-10 steel core, wrapped by layers of stainless steel. This allows the edge to be extremely sharp, to retain its edge over time and yet still be stain-resistant.

VG-10 is one of the premier steels being used in high-end Japanese knives today. It allows this blade to be sharpened to a Rockwell hardness of 60-61, making it among the sharpest blades available.

What puts these knives over the top, however, is the gorgeous Damascus pattern on the blade. Evoking the image of centuries-old Japanese blade making techniques, the "wave" pattern is a result of the layering used to make the knife. Each blade is also hand-engraved with the Hattori signature. You'll want to store these knives on a magnetic knife strip so they can be seen anywhere in your kitchen.

The handles are made of pakkawood, a resin-infused hardwood that is durable, lightweight and comfortable to hold.

As with all high-end sharp knives, these require a bit of extra care. You should hand-clean them immediately after use, store them in a knife block or magnetic strip, and keep the blades sharp. If you're not prepared to do those extra tasks, these knives are probably not the right choice.

Since Hattori is such a craftsman, these knives can be tricky to find. They're not impossible to track down, but you may find that a vendor has them one week and then has a two-month waiting list the next.

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