Quick answer: MoonSwords forges blades in eleven steels and steel constructions. T10, 1095 and T8 are the clay-tempered workhorses with a true hamon. High-manganese, 1065 and high-speed steel are the most accessible. Damascus, sanmai, laminated, wootz and Tamahagane are the collector constructions, where pattern, structure and tradition drive the price. The matrix below compares all of them side by side, and every steel name links to the swords we actually make in it.
How to read the hardness column: HRC (Rockwell C) figures are typical published ranges for each steel when heat-treated for a sword, not lab measurements of individual MoonSwords blades. Where a product page lists a measured figure, that page is the authority. For example, the Dokuryū Katana lists 60–62 HRC at its clay-tempered T10 edge. On clay-tempered blades, the figure describes the edge; the spine is deliberately softer.
The MoonSwords Steel Matrix
| Steel | What it is | Typical edge HRC | Toughness | Edge retention | Hamon / surface | Rust care | At MoonSwords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T10 | Tool steel, ~1.0% carbon plus a small tungsten addition | 58–62 | Medium | Very high | True clay-tempered hamon | High | Our most-used steel: 28 swords plus a bare blade, $229–$689, every tier |
| 1095 | Plain high-carbon steel, ~0.95% carbon | 58–61 | Medium | High | True clay-tempered hamon | High | 15 swords (katana, tachi, tanto), $309–$799, mid-range and high-end |
| T8 | Tool steel, ~0.8% carbon | 56–60 | Medium-high | Good | True clay-tempered hamon | High | 12 swords, $219–$349, mostly entry-level |
| High-manganese (65Mn) | Spring-type carbon steel, ~0.65% carbon, ~1% manganese | 52–58 | High | Moderate | Varies by model; check the listing | Moderate-high | 5 swords, $159–$369, mostly entry-level |
| 1065 | Medium-high carbon steel, ~0.65% carbon | 54–58 | High | Moderate | Uniform finish | Moderate-high | 1 sword (Black Dragon), $169, entry-level |
| High-speed steel | Alloy tool steel with tungsten, molybdenum, chromium and vanadium | 58–62 | Medium-low | Very high | Uniform finish | Moderate | 1 sword (Aogoi), $229, entry-level |
| Damascus (Japanese line) | Pattern-welded steel; our blend is proprietary | 56–60 | Medium | Good | Folded-layer pattern; 7 models are also clay-tempered | High | 16 swords (katana, wakizashi, tanto, odachi), $249–$850 |
| Damascus (Master Collection) | Pattern-welded steel forged by Master Zhao Peiyan in Longquan | 56–60 | Medium | Good | Folded-layer pattern | High | 7 jian and dao, $700–$29,995, heritage tier |
| Laminated | Hard steel core clad in softer steel | 58–60 (core) | High | High | Visible lamination line | High | 1 jian (Qianqing), $3,499, heritage tier |
| Sanmai | Three-layer blade: hard core, tougher outer layers | 58–61 (core) | High | High | True clay-tempered hamon | High | 1 katana (Kafuu), $659, high-end |
| Wootz | Crucible steel with a natural carbide pattern | 55–60 | Medium | Good | Crystalline pattern plus clay-tempered hamon | High | 1 katana (Fūun), $859, high-end |
| Tamahagane | Traditional Japanese steel smelted from iron sand | 58–62 | Medium | High | Clay-tempered hamon plus folded grain (hada) | Very high | 3 katana, $2,899–$3,249, high-end and heritage |
Toughness, edge retention and rust care are relative ratings within this lineup, not lab scores. Model counts and prices reflect the live catalog in October 2026.
What Hardness Actually Tells You
Hardness, toughness and edge retention trade off against each other. A harder edge holds its keenness longer but is less forgiving of a hard knock. A softer steel flexes and recovers where a harder one might chip. No steel wins all three, which is why the "best" steel depends on what you want from the sword.
Clay tempering changes the equation within a single blade. The smith coats the spine in clay before the quench, so the edge cools fast and hardens while the spine cools slowly and stays resilient. The boundary between the two zones is the hamon. That is why our clay-tempered T10, 1095, T8, sanmai, wootz and Tamahagane blades list an edge hardness rather than one number for the whole sword. For the science, see why swords are differentially tempered and how clay tempering works.
Not every MoonSwords blade is clay-tempered. Our high-manganese, 1065 and high-speed steel swords, and most of our Damascus line, are not listed as clay-tempered. Each product title says "Clay-Tempered" when it applies, so check there before you buy if a true hamon matters to you.
The Steel Families, in Brief
Clay-tempered workhorses: T10, 1095 and T8
T10 is our most-used steel and the only one offered at every tier. Its tungsten addition helps it hold an edge longer than plain carbon steel. 1095 is the classic simple high-carbon recipe, forgiving to heat-treat and known for a crisp, clear hamon. T8 carries a little less carbon than T10, so it trades some edge retention for extra resilience, and it is the most affordable way into a clay-tempered blade. Comparing the top two? Our 1095 vs T10 deep-dive covers them in detail.
Accessible steels: high-manganese, 1065 and high-speed steel
These anchor our entry-level range. High-manganese (65Mn) and 1065 sit at the softer, tougher end of the matrix and are more forgiving of occasional neglect than the high-carbon steels. High-speed steel comes from the toolmaking world, where its alloy content gives it excellent wear resistance. It is uniformly hardened, so you won't see a hamon.
Pattern and construction: Damascus, sanmai and laminated
Damascus is pattern-welded: multiple steels are forge-welded and folded, then polished to reveal the layers. Our blend is proprietary, and in a Damascus blade the pattern and craftsmanship are what you are paying for. Our Japanese-line Damascus runs from entry-level to high-end. The Master Collection Damascus jian and dao are forged personally by Master Zhao Peiyan in Longquan. Sanmai and laminated blades build a hard core into softer outer layers, the same principle Japanese smiths used to pair a keen edge with a resilient body. See our folding technique guide for how layered steel is made.
Historic steels: Tamahagane and wootz
Tamahagane is the iron-sand steel at the heart of the Japanese sword tradition, labor-intensive to produce and refine. Our three Tamahagane katana are our most premium Japanese pieces: the Kyōjin and Kyochiku sit in our high-end tier, and the Suihyou in our heritage tier. Wootz is crucible steel, the material behind the legendary "Damascus" blades of history, and it shows its own natural crystalline pattern. The Fūun pairs that pattern with a clay-tempered hamon. The ancient metallurgy guide covers both traditions.
How to Choose
- Want a true hamon at the best value? Start with T8 or T10. The Makai ($229, T10) and Tenshōryū ($219, T8) are the most accessible clay-tempered blades we make.
- Want the classic high-carbon look? Go with 1095. Pieces like the Ryūki show the crisp hamon it is known for.
- Want the lowest price and the most forgiving steel? Look at high-manganese or 1065 in our entry-level collection.
- Want the steel itself to be the artwork? Choose Damascus, wootz or sanmai.
- Want the traditional material? Tamahagane, or a Master Collection piece forged by Zhao Peiyan.
Care: One Rule for Every Steel on This List
Every steel we carry is a carbon or alloy steel, not stainless, so all of them need the same basic routine:
- Wipe the blade after each handling.
- Apply a thin coat of oil every few weeks, more often in humid weather.
- Store the sword out of damp air.
Tamahagane and the high-carbon steels are the least forgiving if you skip a step. Our high-carbon blade care guide and oil guide cover the details.
Go Deeper: One Guide per Steel
- T10: our most-used steel
- 1095: the classic high-carbon steel
- T8: the most affordable clay-tempered blade
- 65Mn, 1065 & high-speed steel: our most accessible swords
- Damascus: pattern-welded steel as artwork
- Master Collection: Damascus and laminated jian and dao by Zhao Peiyan
- Sanmai & kobuse: laminated katana construction
- Tamahagane: the traditional steel of the Japanese sword
- Wootz: the crucible steel behind the Damascus legend
FAQ
What is the best steel for a katana?
There's no single best. T10 is our most popular all-rounder: clay-tempered, with a strong edge and a true hamon at every price point. 1095 is the classic alternative. Tamahagane is the traditional material, and Damascus or wootz are for collectors who want pattern as the focal point.
Are the HRC numbers measured on your swords?
They are typical ranges for each steel when heat-treated for a sword. Where a product page lists a measured figure, that figure applies to that sword.
Do all MoonSwords blades have a real hamon?
No. Every clay-tempered blade does, and the product title says so. Our high-manganese, 1065 and high-speed steel swords and most of our Damascus line are not listed as clay-tempered, so check the individual product page.
Do you sell stainless or spring-steel (5160/9260) katana?
No. Every blade we carry is a carbon, tool or traditional steel.