News
Collectible Katanas, Tachi, Jian & Dao: A Collector's Guide
What makes a katana collectible? How the katana, tachi, jian and dao differ, what collectors look for, and how to build a collection across Japanese and Chinese traditions.
How a Katana Is Clay Tempered, Step by Step
From forge to final polish: how a katana is clay tempered step by step, how to tell a real hamon from a fake, and how to care for a clay-tempered blade. Part 2 of our clay tempering series.
What Is Clay Tempering? Differential Hardening Explained
What really happens inside the steel when a smith clay tempers a katana: martensite vs. pearlite, the hamon, the curve, and which steels work. Part 1 of our clay tempering series.
The Metallurgy and Legacy of the Hamon
Tool Steel Katanas: Tradition Meets Modern Metallurgy
Modern metallurgy meets tradition with tool steel katanas. Known for their toughness, edge retention, and durability, these blades combine the artistry of the samurai sword with the performance of high-tech steel. A tool steel katana isn’t just a weapon—it’s a modern evolution of one of history’s most iconic blades.
Clay Tempering a Katana: Why Smiths Still Do It
Why katana smiths still clay temper their blades: a hard edge and tough spine in one sword, the curve, the hamon, and what it means for collectors. Start here for our clay tempering series.
