SE3014, Budo - III Robust Cutting Katana by Kaneie Sword Art, Free Shipping, MSRP ($550.00), 1060 High Carbon Steel

The Art of Japanese Style Sword Making

The forging of a Japanese sword is a subtle and careful process, an art that has developed over the centuries as much in response to stylistic and aesthetic considerations as to technical improvements.

Each blade typically took many days or weeks and was considered a sacred art, traditionally accompanied by a large panoply of Shinto religious rituals. As with many complex endeavors, rather than a single craftsman, several artists were involved. There was a smith to forge the rough shape, often a second smith (apprentice) to fold the metal, a specialist polisher, and even a specialist for the edge itself. Often, there were a sheath, hilt, and tsuba specialists as well.

Blades were often forged with different profiles, different blade thicknesses, and varying amounts of grind. Wakizashi and Tant were not simply a scaled-down katana; they were often forged without a ridge (hira-zukuri) or other such forms which were found on the katana.

Today, swords are still being made by modern artisans; some pursue the traditional methods while others apply modern tools, techniques, and materials to the craft. A great number of commercially available swords are being made in China with modern tools and materials employing traditional methods. Let's remember that steel-making was imported into Japan from China, via Korea. The steel used in the Chinese swords, called "chi-kang" (combined steel), was similar to pattern welding, and edges of it were often forge-welded to a back of the soft iron, or "jou thieh." In trying to copy the Chinese method, the ancient Japanese smiths paid much attention to the various properties of steel and worked to combine them to produce an internal macro-structure that would provide a similar combination of hardness and toughness.

About Kaneie Sword Art

'Kaneie Sword Art' is an innovating sword forge based in Shanghai, China. 'Kaneie Sword Art' focuses on the forging of modern swords for collectors and martial artists as well as the restoration, polishing and sales of traditional Japanese swords (Nihonto). 'Kaneie Sword Art' is one of the few foreign business partners of the famous Tokyo based Nihonto specialist 'Aoi Art'.

This very broad experience allows modern swords to be created of the highest quality. A unique combination of Chinese forged steel and (only) Japanese fittings (koshirae) creates modern masterpieces with a very traditional finish, geometry and balance. Many of the steel and alloy fittings are sourced from Japan as well as the handle wrap (ito). Kaneie carves the scabbard and handle from high-quality woods and shapes them to a high standard not seen outside of high-end custom swords and, of course, Japan. Buy these authentic and functional Japanese samurai swords meticulously crafted by Kaneie and designed for target cutting.

Kaneie Sword Art (kuh-nay-eh-yeh) is producing some of the most impressive Samurai Swords available today. We carry four levels of katana from Kaneie, from the extremely tough through-hardened Batto to their top-end swords made from Tamahagane (iron-sand steel).

• Tamahagane - These sword blades are forged from the traditionally smelted steel known as Tamahagane. This technique takes a great amount of skill and knowledge to pull off successfully and Kaneie's smiths are up to the task. The result is a perfect blend of art and weapon of war.
• Menkyo - The Menkyo collection is unique in every way and is the ultimate cross-over between ancient smithing techniques and modern steel. Each forged T10 blade is meticulously handing polished to a full art polish, bringing out every detail of the clay tempered hamon.
• Okuden - The Okuden collection is specifically designed for the Japanese swordsmanship student looking for a traditional sword. The T10 steel blade is differentially hardened and shows a real (non chemically enhanced) hamon. These swords are traditionally polished up to the uchigumori stage to save the costs of the shiage polish (the cosmetic finishing polish). This process is very expensive while not adding additional practical value.
• Batto - The Batto Collection was specifically designed for Japanese swordsmanship students on a budget. They were carefully tailored to fit the unique needs of iaido, iaijutsu & kenjutsu students.