High carbon steel and a full-length blood groove or hi marks this sword as a functional cutter, honed to a fine edge and ready for use right out of the box. Although the sword is a Japanese style, it's actually a Chinese make -- hand forged and hand finished at one of China's most famous sword-making villages. Called "the City of Treasure Sword," Lungquan Village and the town's many family forges provided some of China's most well-known weapons over the course of its 2600-year history. This Ryumon sword includes a certificate of authenticity, which verifies its Lungquan origin.

Natural buffalo horn protects the koiguchi or scabbard mouth, and the hardwood grip and scabbard both carry a protective coat of clear lacquer. The sword's grip disassembles if the wooden pegs fixing the wood to the blade's full tang are knocked out. It's possible to rework this sword using purchased fittings and create a more complex katana with bladeguard, pommel, and woven grip, but many who buy shirasaya katanas like the look of this very basic pattern. Even without the usual hardware, the 39.5-inch katana weighs a respectable 1 pound 14 ounces and has a genuine combat quality feel.

A cotton bag protects the sword if you carry it to and from training, and the lacquered display box decorated with the Ryumon dragon offers safe storage for the sword and its accessories.

See this even simpler version of the Ryumon Shirasaya Katana if you're interested in just the basics.

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Considering how much highly skilled hand craftsmanship went into this tanto, it's almost an unbelievable bargain. To produce the layered steel of this full tang blade, the original high carbon steel bar was heated, folded, and reshaped by hand ten times. That creates a total of 1024 layers. Each knife also receives the traditional clay tempering which produces a hard edge and a tough shock-resistant spine. Even the final razor edge resulted from hand labor.

Construction details of the tanto are just as precise. Both cast metal bladeguard and pommel have a dark antiqued patina and show traditional martial symbols -- the dragon motif for the tsuba or bladeguard and the "three fish" symbol on the pommel. Genuine rayskin covers the hardwood grip, and over that is the traditional woven cotton ito. The knife seats securely in a black lacquered hardwood sheath.

Seventeen inches long overall, the 3/4-pound Dragon Tanto presents 10 inches of fullered blade. The fully functional tanto comes in a presentation box of hardwood with real silk lining.

See the Yoroidoshi Tanto from Ryumon for a more modern version of the classic tanto in Damascus steel.

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RYUMON DAMASCUS JAPANESE DRAGON TANTO SWORD KNIFE US $65.00   Auction Ends: 15d 20h 13m

Damascus Japanese Dragon Samurai Tanto Sword Burgundy US $55.99   Auction Ends: 27d 13h 59m

Made at Longquan Forge in Longquan Village, China, this basic katana has some of the qualities of a more expensive blade, but the hamon has been etched and isn't a real tempering mark. The full tang blade itself is 1065 tempered high carbon steel but without advanced edge hardening. What you're actually buying here is the foundation of a functional cutting katana, since nearly everything else besides blade and handle would have to be added to transform this basic sword into an advanced weapon.

The saya (or scabbard) is plain, unfinished wood that matches the pinned wooden handle. Guarding the mouth of the scabbard is a koiguchi of black water buffalo horn. All other important parts -- including tsuba and ito -- would have to be purchased separately, and assembly would be a true lesson in swordsmanship. Anyone really wanting to learn the details of katana construction could start here.

The carbon steel blade with deep blood grooves presents 29 inches of cutting edge, and the sword has a overall length of 39-1/2 inches. Some touch-up may be needed, since blades from Ryumon have often spent considerable time in storage. That could also affect the fit of the unfinished wooden scabbard; the usual coating of dense lacquer protects the wood from moisture and prevents distortion.

Zatoichi-style swordsmen should be happy with this katana as it is. All it truly needs is some sharpening and a little polish.

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Ryumon Practical Folded Katana Sword Okinawa Tsuba Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 58m

Ryumon Raijin Hand Folded Katana Carbon Steel Great Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 55m

Manufactured for Ryumon Swords at the famous Longquan Village in mainland China, the Hayes Yoroidoshi Dagger was hand-forged by a master craftsman at one of China's most respected foundries. The swordsmith families of Longquan Village have made swords for the Chinese military and martial arts masters for hundreds of years, winning awards for their highest quality blades in both modern and ancient times.

This beautiful double-edged dagger shows finer workmanship and better materials than most knives in this price range. From the Damascus steel blade to the water buffalo horn butt-cap, everything is top-notch. Even the grip is a step above the usual cotton tsuko. The handle of this tanto is wrapped with silk cord over genuine rayskin.

The tanto's high carbon 1065 steel will need traditional care, since this isn't the usual stainless steel blade. Forged with a strong diamond cross-section and without the blood grooves of many fancier blades, this knife shows the strength of a genuine armor-piercing weapon. Built with close tolerances that do hold up to both close inspection and heavy work, the Yoroidoshi is not designed for hunting, fishing, or woodcrafts. Traditionally, this type of tanto was only used for combat and is now produced for "protection purposes only."

Other uses would include collection and display, in or out of the tanto's black lacquered wooden scabbard.

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Hand Forged Double Edged Full Tang Japanese Tanto 132 US $64.99   Auction Ends: 12d 20h 38m

Actually, the first thing that caught my eye was the cast metal tsuba, described as a mixture of zinc and brass. Yellow brass is a bit light for a tsuba that might have to take a real hit -- even if only because of a bad strike -- and the ornate casting itself is a fairly fragile design. The Dragon sword looks like a fine display weapon but not quite stout enough for cutting practice. Materials chosen might not hold up well to heavy use. The level of workmanship still puts it far above ordinary replica swords in quality.

If you're looking for a visually-striking display sword with the feel of the real thing, you shouldn't be disappointed by the Dragon. Accessories include a nice wooden storage box and a manual on swordsmanship which has been appraised as thoughtful and useful and not just advertising filler. The traditional sharpening kit provided with the set will be necessary, since 1065 high carbon steel isn't rust proof. The cotton sword bag will be helpful if you travel with the blade. If you do decide to test this heavy 42-inch sword in striking practice, remember that the company providing the warranty is far away, in China.

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Ryumon Practical Folded Katana Sword Okinawa Tsuba Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 58m

Ryumon Raijin Hand Folded Katana Carbon Steel Great Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 55m

The blade is full-tang and has been sharpened by hand. It's made from high carbon steel and has a nicely visible hamon line as well as a thick blood groove, which spans almost the entire length of the blade.

This Shirasaya set, however, doesn't exactly live up to its English translation of "white scabbard." But the dark redwood scabbard and handle more than make up for this small technicality. The wood is glossed and lacquered, and at the top of the koiguchi (scabbard opening) you'll find an authentic buffalo horn, polished to blend in quite nicely with the redwood motif.

The katana also comes with a decorative box, cleaning kit, sword bag, and a really informative "how-to" guide for taking care of your new sword.

You could display it if you wanted to, but since it's battle ready and doesn't display a whole lot of decorative flair, this redwood katana would be best used as a functional sword. And with everything we've seen thus far from Ryumon, it should function quite well!

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Ryumon Practical Folded Katana Sword Okinawa Tsuba Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 58m

Ryumon Raijin Hand Folded Katana Carbon Steel Great Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 55m

We honestly can't find anything wrong with the way this sword was made. It's as authentic as it gets. The 29-inch blade is forged from high carbon steel, handmade and folded in the honored traditional Japanese clay technique. The saya, or scabbard, is made from hardwood, glossed, and coated with lacquer for an elegant finish.

Where this katana really shines, though, is in its ornamentation. The saya is made from genuine sharkskin of the best quality, wrapped securely with a vivid brown cord. The tsuba is molded from pure copper, and features detailed carvings of Japanese fantasy characters. The carvings make their way onto the genuine buffalo koiguchi as well.

Included in this set are a sword reference guide, cleaning kit, wall scroll, and satin bag, all in a decorated wooden display box.

Unfortunately, this katana runs just short of a thousand dollars at retail value. Quite a sword, but also quite a splurge. Those of us not willing to spring for it will just have to sit and drool for a little while longer. Got another napkin?

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Ryumon Practical Folded Katana Sword Okinawa Tsuba Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 58m

Ryumon Raijin Hand Folded Katana Carbon Steel Great Christmas Gift US $268.00   Auction Ends: 24d 11h 55m