Katana, the swords carried by Japanese samurai, are the sort of weapons which generate legends. Carried with the cutting edge facing forward in the scabbard, katana made one-stroke combat an art among bushido masters. Iaido, the practice of drawing the sword, is still one of the most advanced skills of that martial discipline.
If you find martial arts of interest, you know the katana is one of the most fascinating of the old weapons. Katana are deceptively simple in appearance, but the more you learn about them the more impressed you are by their hidden complexity. Many people today not only collect katana, but train in their use. Good swords are available in several levels of quality, designed for Iaido or for cutting practice as well as display. With a good katana in hand you get the feeling that what you’ve seen re-enacted in movies just might be possible.
If you have a generous budget the traditional combat quality katana is still available. Combat katana blades are forged from layers of tough low carbon steel surrounding a core of high carbon steel cutting edge. Traditional katana underwent a special clay tempering process which left a distinctive mark called a hamon along the blade. The best katana still show the true hamon, while today’s reproductions mimic this sign of quality with etching.
For those who look to the katana for inspiration rather than pure function, the Bushido Katana Set offers quality suitable for display.
Step up to tamashigiri, the art of striking, with this fully functional cutting katana, the Kyoumou Tora.
Combine the best modern steel with the traditional forging and tempering methods and you get our pick for the best katana — the Damascus Katana from Hanwei Forge. Combat quality at a reasonable price.
Shirasaya swords like this natural Hand-Forged Katana from Ryumon provide only the basics and leave the finishing touches to the new owners. Ryumon incorporates traditional materials and traditional construction methods in the set and includes a cleaning kit, display box, and informative reference manual.
High carbon steel and a ...
This high carbon stainless steel double sword set from Musashi takes a new approach to the two-sword fighting style of Musashi Miyamoto of medieval Japan. The single scabbard holds both a full-sized katana and a hidden wakizashi.
Withdraw the katana from its sheath and the sageo or cord wrapping of ...
Loosely inspired by the dual-sword fighting methods of legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto of Japan, this modern 39-1/8-inch-long katana with hidden throwing knife is hand-forged from 1040 high carbon spring steel. Musashi Swords rates this economical Zetsutsin katana as a light duty cutter, but the sword is also suitable for display.
The blood ...
The Jin Tachi Oriental Master Sword from General Edge matches some aspects of the traditional Japanese cavalry sword but adds an unusual curved grip. While it's not historically accurate, this unusual sword would look great in any fantasy weapon collection.
Tachi were the longswords of the Japanese military -- some ...
Place this three-sword set from Trademark Global towards the top of the list of display-only katana sword sets. Although the swords do have an anime flair, construction is solid and the design really catches the attention.
With full tang blades of 440 high carbon stainless steel, the set of three ...
The secret of this beautiful katana's amazing speed is the aluminum alloy blade. Designed for the practice of Iaido or "drawing the sword," the Fully Handmade Aluminum katana matches the dimensions of a true combat sword but reduces the total weight by nearly a pound.
The lighter weight allows easier ...
This practical cutting sword from Fully Handmade Swords outfits a blade of Damascus-type steel with traditional fittings of solid bronze. Decoration is minimal, but the art's in the katana -- you'll find this one excellent for tamashigiri cutting practice as well as for display.
The forged 28.3-inch blade of the 42.5-inch ...
The details of this replica Bleach sword should accurately match the personal weapon of the story's main antagonist -- Sousouke Aisen, one-time captain of the 5th Division Soul Reapers and the creator of the Hollows.
The sword called Kyo-ka Suigetsu presents its ordinary form as a katana with a distinctive hexagonal ...
This pristine white katana replicates the Sode no Shirayuki magical weapon borne by Rukia Kuchiki of the Japanese manga Bleach. The physical form of her potent sword is a normal katana with a hilt colored brownish-red, but the shikai or second stage weapon is a lustrous, pure white.
This Rukia ...
This reproduction of the personal katana of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, an evolved hollow or demon from the Japanese manga series Bleach, faithfully reproduces the details of the ordinary version of Grimmjow's magical sword. When the sword of this high-ranking member of the Army of Arrancar does transform, it changes Grimmjow as well.
The ...
The Samurai Zabimaru Katana accurately replicates the ordinary form of the magical weapon wielded by Renji Abarai in the popular Japanese manga series Bleach. Though sometimes described as having a red handle, the sword's normal form is actually black-handled as shown here. Only during transformation does the color shift ...
Sold brass fittings accent this fine high carbon steel katana from Handmade Swords. No corners were cut on looks, but the blade is only rated a practical entry-level cutter. Considering the sword's excellent appearance that's hard to believe.
Plum blossom designs dot the lacquered hardwood scabbard of the sword, adding just ...
Collectors take note: the Trademark Red/Black Ninja Sword could be a real sleeper. Few swords out there have a worse reputation, and that may contribute some genuine historical value.
Marketed originally as a ninja sword "that's a real weapon, not a toy," the ad campaign turned out to be ironically ...
Trademark's Premium Handmade katana could be a good blade, but origins are uncertain and the quality of some parts is marginal. It's an interesting display sword and potentially something more, but the testing is up to you.
The full tang katana blade shows a full length hi or blood ...
This shorter straight blade katana from Hanwei Forge recreates the blade favored by the ninja of Japan, who sometimes created useful and easily concealed weapons from large swords broken in combat. The Practical Shinobi Ninja-To includes some of the cost-costing methods features found in Hanwei's larger practical cutters.
No ...
I'm never totally against buying a good blade, even if everything else about the sword disappoints. A good craftsman can always refine things if the basics are sound, and that's how I feel about the Death Fang Dark Ninja Katana. I do have some doubts that it was ...
The Musashi SS676 from that company's Tokusen line of practical cutters could be one of the best buys in modern backyard tameshigiri -- or target-cutting -- katanas.
To keep the price this low, Musashi took practical and logical cost-cutting steps like substituting modern steel fittings for the traditional cast brass ...
In the TV series Heroes, one of the popular characters -- a Japanese executive named Hiro -- borrows a good katana from a museum display when he begins his time-traveling adventures. If you're ever in that situation yourself, and there's a Damascus steel katana like this one on the shelf, ...
United Cutlery's Black Kogane Dynasty Tachi Sword in Damascus steel is a fine example of the company's push towards better yet still affordable products. Even skeptics should be pleased.
Fittings on this 42-inch-long katana are not gold. Made from cast yellow brass or brass plated metal, the kashiri (end cap), menuki ...
Faithful to the details of the katana wielded by Cobra agent Storm Shadow, bodyguard of Cobra Commander in the movie G.I. Joe -- Rise of Cobra, this movie replica sword from United Cutlery should please any collector of movie memorabilia.
The white scabbard and grip, offset with polished metal ...
The Snake Eyes Katana from United Cutlery accurately reproduces that character's movie sword from G.I. Joe -- Rise of Cobra. This full-sized katana was the personal weapon of Snake Eyes, the silent commando portrayed by Ray Park.
In keeping with the high-tech appearance of the movie's blade, the full tang ...
Makers of this full-sized practical katana aren't afraid to boast of its cutting ability. While those claims should be true enough, the katana should still be considered entry level. It's a good blade with less durable fittings.
Inspired by the story of Daimyo Takeda Shingen, a legendary Japanese warlord from the 1500's, ...
The flashy look is the most dependable feature of this Samurai Sword from Trademark Global, but you could get a sword good enough for light cutting. This forged and handmade katana would be a safer bet on display.
This imported sword with an unknown history holds many of the possibilities and ...
The three-piece Samurai sword set with blue scabbards from Trademark Global will be well-received by the newest generation of sword enthusiasts, who grew up on the flashy weapons from their favorite video games. The Blue Samurai Set is an enjoyable blend of color and traditional styling.
Much of ...
This three-sword set from Trademark Global embodies two grand old traditions -- the warrior code of the samurai and the art of the souvenir shop. While these high carbon stainless steel blades aren't meant for use, souvenir sets seem to get better all the time.
If you travel in ...
The Masahiro Red Date Masamune Katana represented Masahiro's functional cutter swords and is built for light cutting practice. The company's checkered history makes some buyers think twice, but Masahiro swords could be one of the real bargains on the market now. That probably won't last much longer.
The 42-3/4-inch-long ...
These practice shinai or bamboo swords match an old Kendo training device developed to give martial students a taste of real combat without risk of serious injury. Combined with cloth armor and protective headgear, the shinai take swordplay to a non-lethal but very competitive level.
The two 42-inch long ...
Built in the image of the katana wielded by Samuel Jackson as the immortality-seeking villain The Octopus, this movie replica sword looks so good you'll want to try it out. Be sure to put a razor edge on it before testing the traditionally styled samurai sword if you want ...
The Practical Wakizashi from CAS Hanwei of China represents the smallest and least expensive true cutting katana of their extensive product line. Although you get a high quality blade made with a traditional tempering process, other parts of the construction are not what you'd expect in an authentic wakizashi.
If you buy ...
Hanwei Forge produced four different functional versions of the Zatoichi stick sword under the guidance of master smith Paul Chen. This traditional katana of folded steel and rosewood is the best of the four.
Hanwei Forge doesn't directly compare the quality of its swords to antique combat weapons. In many ...
This reproduction of the katana wielded by the immortal Scottish clansman Duncan Macleod in the Highlander saga could be one of the best swords ever produced by United Cutlery. Not the usual cheap reproduction, the Duncan MacLeod Katana is a hand-forged tempered katana of high carbon Damascus steel.
In fact, the blade ...
United Cutlery's licensed replica of Duncan MacLeod's katana from the Highlander saga exceeds what you'd expect in a display weapon. Made of hand forged high carbon steel, this comes very close to the quality of entry-level cutting katanas.
Although not as rugged as a sword truly designed for tamashigiri, this replica ...
The Musashi Koga Ninja Katana Sword comes with plenty of interesting extra features. Some lend the weapon a little of the technical mystique that gave the ninjas their unusual reputation. The full tang sword is strongly built but lacks some of the refinements of combat quality weapons.
The simpler blade construction ...
The Masahiro Empire Wheel Samurai katana goes well past display quality, giving collectors and recreational users a beautiful weapon capable of tamashigiri, or functional cutting practice. The details of this starter level sword from Fully Handmade will impress blade lovers.
Fully Handmade does produce traditional hand-forged blades using the old and ...
The Samurai Warrior 3000 Katana from United Cutlery embodies a design from the distant future when plasmium swords represent the best weapons of the samurai path. Although United Cutlery released only a little information about this interesting weapon, a truly functional combat version would apparently require knowledge of advanced ...
Another of the unique swords in the Japanese manga series Bleach, this interesting blade is the personal weapon of Kenpachi Zaraki, a powerful supernatural warrior and captain of the 11th Division of the Soul Reapers. Set far in Japan's future and well into a fantastic afterlife, Bleach follows a war ...
One of Ryumon Sword's simplest swords, this natural shirasaya hand-forged katana could also be one of the company's best bargains. Though the unfinished katana demands some time and effort from the owner, it has potential as a good first sword.
Made at Longquan Forge in Longquan Village, China, this basic ...
An engraved hand-forged katana priced this low forces me to look for faults. Although I find some, the ITO Katana Samurai Sword 402 still seems like a bargain if you're looking for a katana good enough for light cutting practice.
At two pounds and ten ounces (without the scabbard), this ...
This real-world version of the Urahara Shikai Katana -- from the Japanese anime series Bleach -- serves as a physical reminder of a powerful magical weapon. Bleach tells a complex tale of supernatural war between enigmatic soul reapers like Urahara and evil "hollows" avoiding the fate of souls after death. ...
Hanzo Steel refers to this good cutting blade as the Ninja Survival Master Katana. Not as refined as more expensive versions, the fully functional Hanzo Steel Ninja Katana includes some interesting survival perks more costly swords do not.
Forged and tempered to survive cutting practice, this sword really is good enough ...
The Handmade Kill Bill Bride Samurai katana accurately recreates the Bride's sword from the popular series of movies directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Uma Thurman and the late David Carradine. Given to The Bride (played by Thurman) by sword smith Hattori Hanzo, the Bride's sword was the ...
Masahiro Swords are a great way to gamble on getting a good sword for a bargain price. The parent company contracts the work of making these swords to several different Chinese foundries with very different levels of workmanship. Whether you're getting the good swords or the disappointing ones is just ...
The Black Dragon Stick Ninja Super Set is one of many mass-produced souvenir sword sets which please the eye but don't hold up to close inspection. Relax and enjoy this interesting desk set, but don't expect combat quality for this price.
When you do have reasonable expectations, a sword set ...
This 40-inch bokken -- a wooden training version of the Japanese katana -- has some of the same parts as the real thing but in much less lethal lightweight hardwood. Use it for practicing kata but remember that even a wooden sword can do damage. Some of the old masters ...
This 44-inch hand-forged katana from Masahiro has great potential as a functional cutter, but you won't know until you test it whether it lives up to reasonable expectations. Manufactured in China by one of several difficult-to-trace companies, the Masahiro brand intended to fill the needs of martial artists looking ...
Similar to Hanwei's Practical Plus Elite Katana, the Hanwei Practical Pro Katana focuses on heavy cutting ability in a moderately priced functional build. Differences between this katana and the more traditional Practical Plus Elite include a longer handle for increased power and a thicker, heavier blade.
With a weight ...
One of the best things I can say about this Dragon Katana is that a katana never look bad. A reproduction of a European battle sword in this same price range might be laughable, but the katana is so simple and efficient that even in its most basic form it ...
This replica of Saya Otanashi's sword from the Anime series Blood+ misses one of the unique features of the personal weapon of the good queen of the vampiric chiroptera. Aside from that, the off-center katana does hold to the basic pattern of that purely fantasy weapon.
It's easy to understand why ...
This beautiful katana in the style of the weapon favored by the blind master Zatoichi -- the main character in a long series of popular Japanese films -- actually is not shirasaya. The sword cane of Japan was called shikomizue. Shirasaya referred to a plain wooden scabbard meant for storing ...
Familiar to fans of the long-running Japanese anime series Bleach, this heavenly blue katana recreates the personal sword of Love Aikawa. Simpler in appearance than many of the Bleach zanpakuto (or magical transforming weapons), the Heart Guard sword hid special powers to be released in battle by ...
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