Katana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a katana?
A katana is a traditional Japanese sword recognized by its curved, single-edged blade, circular or squared guard (tsuba), and long handle designed for a two-handed grip. Historically carried by samurai warriors, the katana is celebrated worldwide as both a masterwork of metallurgy and a symbol of Japanese culture. Today, katana swords are collected as art pieces, displayed as home decor, and used in martial arts training.
What steel is best for a katana?
It depends on your goals. 1045 carbon steel is durable and affordable — great for first-time collectors. 1095 carbon steel and T10 tool steel offer excellent edge retention and are ideal for serious enthusiasts. Damascus steel is prized for its distinctive folded patterns. For the ultimate in tradition, tamahagane steel represents the pinnacle of Japanese sword-making, produced using methods dating back centuries.
What is a full tang katana?
A full tang katana is a sword where the blade's metal extends the entire length of the handle, making the blade and handle one continuous piece of steel. This construction provides superior structural integrity, better balance, and enhanced durability compared to partial tang designs. All TrueKatana swords feature full tang construction as standard.
How should I care for my katana?
Clean the blade with a soft, lint-free cloth after each handling to remove oils and fingerprints. Apply a thin layer of choji oil (or mineral oil) every few months to protect against rust. Store your katana in a dry environment with the cutting edge facing upward. For display pieces, avoid direct sunlight to preserve the saya's lacquer finish.
Does TrueKatana offer free shipping?
Yes. Every katana order ships free within the United States — no minimum purchase required. We also offer international shipping to most countries. Standard U.S. delivery typically arrives within 1–2 weeks for hand-forged items, while our Ready to Ship collection delivers in 3–7 business days.
What is your return policy?
We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on all purchases. If your katana doesn't meet your expectations, contact our support team within 30 days of delivery for a full refund or exchange. We want every customer to be completely satisfied with their sword.
Are your katana swords handmade?
Every katana in our collection is individually hand-forged by our team of 40+ skilled swordsmiths. From steel selection and forging to clay tempering and handle wrapping, each step is done by hand using traditional Japanese techniques. No two swords are exactly alike — that's what makes each one a genuine collectible.
Can I customize a katana?
Absolutely. Our custom katana service lets you choose the blade steel, length, handle wrap color, tsuba design, saya finish, and more. Custom Japanese swords are built to your specifications and typically ship within 3–4 weeks. Visit our Custom Katana page to start designing yours.
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Customer Reviews
fast service and nice looking katana also very shar[......
Golden Damascus Steel Katana with Snake Tsuba and Python-Pattern Saya - Full Tang Collectible Sword
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Great blade looks good only issue is that the sheath is pretty lose and will not keep the blade in well
1060 Carbon Steel Katana Sword with Blue Blade and Gold-Thread Lacquered Saya in Black Ito Wrap
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very good quality blade , it was exactly as advertized, really happy with this purchase
Damascus Steel Katana Sword with Black Piano Lacquer Saya and Dragon Tsuba - Full Tang Collectible
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I love it! The purchasing process was easy, and the shipping was quick. The Katana is amazing!
Damascus Steel Katana Sword with Black Piano Lacquer Saya and Dragon Tsuba - Full Tang Collectible
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Timely delivery and product was as advertised. Very nice sword!
T10 Folded Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon - Black Saya with Gold Dragon Motif in Silver Alloy Tsuba
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Love the product, packaging styrofoam got stuck to the leather strap though.
Obsidian Katana - 1060 Carbon Steel Black Blade with Leather-Wrapped Saya and Carry Strap
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Not like any videos were saying slandering the tk it's not flimsy, doesn't rust easily, is infact very sharp, saya isn't weak wood and overall is just a very decent maybe even entry level katana for only 200$ I will say though it did bend the very tip of the katana when I hit something metal on accident but that aside its very great qualityr
r
5 stars to the smith
Flower Tsuba T10 Carbon Steel Katana, Clay Tempered, Full Tang & Handmade
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I'm no expert, and won't pretend to be, but I did grow up around blades and martial arts and have owned many swords over the years. I'm 64 years old now, on the other side of some hardships and setbacks. r
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I still train with a boken, and have been since I was a teen, but I sold all my swords several years back. Life forced me to learn to do without, but as my life improved, I missed my swords and wanted to replace them.r
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My late Father was a cutlery distributor, so I built my previous collection with great discounts and lots of resources. I didn't have those advantages this time. I had to study the new market. So I began reading posts and watching reviews about the available makers and suppliers, as well as their specific offerings in my price range. This led me to take a chance on Truekatana and this particular offering.r
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I thought I owned some pretty nice blades before, but this one beats them all! I love everything about it! It feels great in my hand, and it is so much better than I hoped for. I immediately ordered another model katana, and I'm sure I'll be getting more in the future. It was packed well and arrived quickly and safely. r
r
I'm definitely a huge fan of Truekatana!
1060 Carbon Steel Black Katana with Clay-Tempered Hamon in Matte Black Hardwood Saya - Full Tang Collectible Sword
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The katana itself is glorious, absolutely glorious. A worthy piece of craftsmanship. However, when I ordered a “full-tang” blade, I thought the sword would he fucntionally sharpened. It’s essentially a blunt-edged blade, no cutting ability whatsoever.
Ornate Scroll Tsuba T10 Carbon Steel Katana, Clay Tempered, Full Tang & Handmade
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Craftsmanship is of excellent quality.I love the solid black aesthetic of the sword.Blade is sharp and durable.
Obsidian Katana - 1060 Carbon Steel Black Blade with Leather-Wrapped Saya and Carry Strap
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Was an amazing gift! r
He loved it and it’s actually very sharp and durable.
1060 Carbon Steel Katana Sword with Blue Blade and Dragon Tsuba in Black Piano Lacquer Saya
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Love my Cortana play wish they had a smaller one to go with it
Golden Damascus Steel Katana with Snake Tsuba and Python-Pattern Saya - Full Tang Collectible Sword
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Our grandson was delighted by this gift. It was well crafted and exactly what he wanted to display on his fraternity wall.
White T10 Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Piano Lacquer Saya and Silver Flower Tsuba
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Very beautiful weapon, well crafted and sharp, glad it chose here to buy it from
T10 Folded Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Black Matte Saya - Dragon Tsuba Collectible Sword
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This was a Christmas gift and she absolutely loved it. This was my 2nd purchase from here and always quality stuff. You won't be disappointed.
T10 Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Pink Katana with Cherry Blossom Tsuba and Piano Lacquer Saya
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