Katana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a full tang katana?
A full tang katana means the blade steel continues through the handle instead of stopping near the guard. This matters because the handle and blade are part of one continuous structure, which gives the sword better stability and durability than a partial tang or decorative-only construction. For collectors, full tang construction is also a useful sign that the sword was made with more serious build quality in mind. All TrueKatana swords are full tang, but buyers should still read each product page for steel type, blade length, sharpness, fittings, and intended use.
Are katanas legal in the US?
In general, owning a katana at home is legal in many parts of the United States, but laws can vary by state, city, age, transportation method, and public carry rules. Ownership is not the same as carrying a sword in public. California, New York, Texas, Florida, and other states may treat possession, open carry, concealed carry, and restricted locations differently. Before buying or transporting a katana, check your local laws and avoid carrying a metal sword in public unless you clearly understand the rules. TrueKatana products are best treated as collectibles or display items unless a product page says otherwise.
What is the difference between katana and samurai sword?
A katana is one specific type of Japanese sword. It usually has a curved, single-edged blade, a long grip for two-handed use, and a guard called a tsuba. “Samurai sword” is a broader phrase people use for swords associated with samurai culture. That can include katana, wakizashi, tanto, tachi, and other Japanese blade styles. In online shopping, many people use “katana” and “samurai sword” almost the same way, but they are not exactly identical. If you are buying one, focus less on the label and more on the details: blade type, steel, length, tang construction, edge condition, and intended use.
How to display a katana?
The safest and cleanest way to display a katana is with a proper sword stand, wall rack, or display case. Keep it away from moisture, direct sunlight, children, pets, and high-traffic areas where it could be knocked down. Many collectors display the katana in its saya, especially if the blade is sharp or carbon steel. If you display the blade unsheathed, make sure the room is dry and the blade is lightly oiled. For a traditional look, place the sword horizontally on a stand with the handle to the left or right depending on your display preference. The most important thing is stability and safe handling.
What are katanas made of?
Modern katana swords can be made from several types of steel. Common options include 1045 carbon steel, 1060 carbon steel, 1095 carbon steel, T10 tool steel, folded steel, Damascus-style steel, and sometimes tamahagane for higher-end traditional-style pieces. The fittings may include iron, brass, copper, alloy, wood, rayskin, cotton wrap, leather wrap, and a lacquered wooden saya. The best material depends on what you want from the sword. A display buyer may care more about polish and design, while a collector may look more closely at steel, heat treatment, hamon, and full tang construction. All TrueKatana swords are full tang, which is an important construction detail for buyers to know.
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Customer Reviews
It's a beautiful sword and sturdy sword with fine craftsmanship and detail, well packaged and good delivery. The only issue i have is that the description of the sword on the site said it was razor sharp while on delivery i noticed it was quite dull. r
This was something i specifically looked for upon ordering and was disappointed with when it arrived.r
Maybe you could monitor the descriptions of the swords on the site better so customers buy exactly what they want in a blade. r
r
Beside this one detail it's a fantastic sword and good service.
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Hamon Blade in Black Saya & Green Ito Wrap
Verified Purchase
Nice presentation in box, beautiful sword. Willr
Order another
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Koi Tsuba in Brown Samegawa - Gold-Gilded Koshirae
Verified Purchase
The black one on top, in the image. Excellent quality, a true masterpiece. I have compared it to my other one, white one. As far as quality, balance and cutting potential. The one I bought from true katana (black one) is unparalleled in every way.
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Hamon Blade, Purple Tsuka & Black Lacquer Saya - Koshirae Style
Verified Purchase
Best Katana I have ever owned. It is the masterpiece of my sword collection.
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Koi Tsuba in Brown Samegawa - Gold-Gilded Koshirae
Verified Purchase
The Sword looks just like the pictures but until you actually hold the Sword in your hands and see it up close in person you can’t appreciate the Craftsmanship that is put into making the Sword it was worth the money and it was delivered to my house a few days earlier than the original delivery date
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon - Brown Multi-Color Saya Copper Shrimp Tsuba
Verified Purchase
Came on time and looks amazing. Find craftsmanship and razor sharp.I'm super happy
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon - Brown Multi-Color Saya Copper Shrimp Tsuba
Verified Purchase
Very nice looking sword with good balance and weight. However, the blade was not evenly sharpened as I requested. Moreover, the blade is not razor sharp like I wanted it to be. Therefore, I would not describe it as "Battle Ready" as advertised. r
r
The upper half of the blade is sharp enough to remove some hairs on my arm, but does not shave the skin. The lower half of the blade is not sharp enough to remove any hairs on my arm. Will have to buy some fine ceramic wet stones to finish the sharpening myself, because I want the blade to razor sharp across the full length of the blade. Swords can't be shipped back to China to correct the poor full blade sharpening.
Chrysanthemum Tsuba Tamahagane Steel Katana, Handcrafted, Black Saya & Brown Tsuka
Verified Purchase
Good communication. Honest and provided a quality product! r
Thankyou!
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Koi Tsuba in Brown Samegawa - Gold-Gilded Koshirae
Verified Purchase
Thia katana might be expensive, however the steel and the design is top notch! After i have held the blade and practice with it, I have to say that this blade will protect and serve me well.r
r
Thank you to true katana for the blade. Well made and well done!
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Dragon Tsuba, Brown Cord Handle in Black Lacquer Saya
Verified Purchase
About 2 years ago I purchased my first katana ever from this site and I couldn’t have been more excited. I had settled upon a shirasaya katana with a nice plain wood look for around $250-$300 US. It was a nice katana made from T10 Carbon steel, but it obviously was going to have its imperfections for the price. It served me well and was a great beginner katana. This time however, I wanted something a bit higher quality and with full fittings. When you look at the two blades, it is a night and day difference. Don’t get me wrong they are both magnificent looking blades, but there are basically no faults with the new blade. The hamon itself is absolutely hypnotic and of hard not to just stare at. Not only that but the sword came in a box with a protective bag that you can keep as well. The amount of craftsmanship that went into this blade compared to the other is clear. The best part was they gave me a coupon for 25% off. I could not resist buying this and I hope this blade lasts generations beyond me so I will be taking great care of it. Well worth the paying more and they gave shipping info and updates the whole way here.
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Red Rayskin Saya and Black Cord Tsuka
Verified Purchase
Hello, as of today 6/14/2024 and this survey, the sword itself is awesome and we appreciate you expediting our purchase yesterday. Unfortunately, we still can not login to your website and all of our emails to you regarding website technical support, as well as the emails we sent regarding tracking and this order have gone unanswered. We have shared all of our contact information with you and it is our hope, you contact us so we can login properly before our next purchase.
Here is just one of our emails to you yesterday.
Hello, we are not sure if any of our emails have reached you, as we still have not received one email or phone call response and are still unable to login to your website to track our order. Surprisingly, we received our sword in question this afternoon and we thank you for getting this issue resolved. The sword looks and feels right and we appreciate your work and determination to get this shipped to us today. We were not expecting delivery, only a response. We do respectfully suggest you find a solution for your website problem and log in issues, we still cannot log in. We also respectably ask that customer service address the communication problems we just experienced, No responding to customer emails or phone calls is terrible business and will slowly but surely hurt what we feel is an outstanding company with a great reputation. Communication has solved almost every problem we have ever experienced in our own business and we hope to do business with you again.
Thank you for finding a solution today.
Eric Severino
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Red Rayskin Saya and Black Cord Tsuka
Verified Purchase
Blade is very nice, heavy but balanced, very sharp, I am very happy with my purchase
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Red Rayskin Saya and Black Cord Tsuka
Verified Purchase
I don't have a pic of the sword only a video but I do have a pic of what it did to my thumb when I dropped it and reached for it mid-fall. The sword obviously came super sharp, it looked just like the pictures on the website. It cuts good (not just fingers) so please be careful. Cuts bamboo like butter. It's definitely carbon steel not stainless. The weight is good not too heavy but with enough heft it'll swing good. The hamon is beautiful, the saya feels good and durable. I've bought swords for about $200 that weren't anywhere near the quality of this sword. I got it on discount from the website, TrueKatana also upped the discount after it sat in my cart for a week so I couldn't pass it up at that point. Took about 7 days to get it even from outside the US. The only issue I've found is it needs two mekugi (pegs through the handle and tang) instead of just one. I got it for use not for show so two would've been preferable for rigidity. Also if you plan on sharpening you need the right stones to polish or it will scratch the blade. I felt good with my purchase, definitely got my money's worth. I will get another as soon as possible. Also I'm giving 5 stars because this is the first one I've bought at this price range and with only one thing I considered a con (the single mekugi) I have no reason to not give a full 5 star rating. I hope this helps anyone considering making a purchase.
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Red Rayskin Saya and Black Cord Tsuka
Verified Purchase
My order arrive in record time and was as specified. Very pleased with the merchandise and the service. Thanks
Tamahagane Steel Clay Tempered Katana with Real Hamon in Red Rayskin Saya and Black Cord Tsuka
Verified Purchase
This is a real katana, well-balanced with unique detail. Everything was as advertised and like other reviews, shipping was fast.
Tamahagane Steel Katana with Hamon Blade, Purple Tsuka & Black Lacquer Saya - Koshirae Style
Verified Purchase











