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Japanese Folding Tanto

Browse our Japanese folding tanto collection - handcrafted Japanese tanto short swords in traditional folded steel, T10 clay-tempered, and shirasaya configurations with full-tang construction. Japanese folding tanto combine the compact tanto blade format with the fold-forged or clay-tempered construction techniques associated with the highest tier of traditional Japanese bladesmithing. Free US shipping and hassle-free returns included.

Showing 128 Products
T10 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Real Hamon in White Saya - Hand-Painted Wolf Scabbard Collectible
1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Black Matte Hardwood Saya and Gold Alloy Tsuba - Full Tang Japanese Short Sword
Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya
Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel With Real Hamon In Natural Rosewood Saya
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 179.00 USD
Clay Tempered T10 Steel Tanto with Real Hamon in Dark Blue Dragon Saya - Gold Alloy Wave Tsuba
Clay Tempered T10 Steel Tanto With Real Hamon In Dark Blue Dragon Saya - Gold Alloy Wave Tsuba
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319.00 USD
ON SALE! 20% OFF
Was: 399.00 USD
Blue Manganese Steel Tanto with Gold Geometric Tsuba - One Piece Law Replica Collectible
Blue Manganese Steel Tanto With Gold Geometric Tsuba - One Piece Law Replica Collectible
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129.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 189.00 USD
T10 Carbon Steel Japanese Tanto with Black Lacquer Saya - Snake Tsuba, Brown Ito, Dragon Motif
T10 Carbon Steel Japanese Tanto With Black Lacquer Saya - Snake Tsuba, Brown Ito, Dragon Motif
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159.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 229.00 USD
Handmade Full Tang Tanto Sword 1095 Carbon Steel With Blue Blade
Handmade Full Tang Tanto Sword 1095 Carbon Steel With Blue Blade
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169.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 239.00 USD
T10 Clay Tempered Tanto Sword with Real Hamon in Red Saya - Gold Floral Tsuba Collectible
T10 Clay Tempered Tanto Sword With Real Hamon In Red Saya - Gold Floral Tsuba Collectible
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 209.00 USD
T10 Carbon Steel Tanto with Hamon Line in Black Finish - Full Tang Short Tanto with Samurai Tsuba
T10 Carbon Steel Tanto With Hamon Line In Black Finish - Full Tang Short Tanto With Samurai Tsuba
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179.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 259.00 USD
Manganese Steel Tanto Sword with Dark Blue Ito Wrap in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Full Tang Collectible
1090 Carbon Steel Tanto with Red Piano-Lacquer Saya - White Ito Gold Alloy Fittings
1090 Carbon Steel Tanto With Red Piano-lacquer Saya - White Ito Gold Alloy Fittings
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109.00 USD
ON SALE! 20% OFF
Was: 139.00 USD
T10 Folded Clay Tempered Tanto Sword with Real Hamon in Brown Ito and Kanji-Carved Leather Saya
T10 Folded Clay Tempered Tanto Sword With Real Hamon In Brown Ito And Kanji-carved Leather Saya
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179.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 209.00 USD
1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Black Ito Wrap, Red Samegawa and Bronze Orchid Tsuba - Full Tang
1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Golden Blade in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Burlywood Ito Wrap
1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword With Golden Blade In Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Burlywood Ito Wrap
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109.00 USD
ON SALE! 20% OFF
Was: 139.00 USD
Double Edge Tanto in Folded Red Pattern Steel with Bronze Beast Guard and Ebony Saya
Double Edge Tanto In Folded Red Pattern Steel With Bronze Beast Guard And Ebony Saya
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159.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 189.00 USD
Ghost of Tsushima Tanto - Jin Sakai Short Sword Replica, 1065 Carbon Steel, Blue Blade
Ghost Of Tsushima Tanto - Jin Sakai Short Sword Replica, 1065 Carbon Steel, Blue Blade
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129.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 149.00 USD
T10 Clay Tempered Shirasaya Tanto with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya - Aikuchi Collectible
T10 Clay Tempered Shirasaya Tanto With Real Hamon In Natural Rosewood Saya - Aikuchi Collectible
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 179.00 USD
T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto with Real Hamon in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent
T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto With Real Hamon In Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 15% OFF
Was: 179.00 USD
Handmade Japanese Tanto Sword 1060 Carbon Steel With Blue Blade
Handmade Japanese Tanto Sword 1060 Carbon Steel With Blue Blade
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 209.00 USD
Clay Tempered 1045 Carbon Steel O Tanto with Golden Blade and Engraved Snake Saya in Black
Clay Tempered 1045 Carbon Steel O Tanto With Golden Blade And Engraved Snake Saya In Black
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119.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 169.00 USD
1060 Carbon Steel Tanto in Blue Blade with Black Lacquer Saya and Gold Tsuba
1060 Carbon Steel Tanto In Blue Blade With Black Lacquer Saya And Gold Tsuba
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149.00 USD
ON SALE! 30% OFF
Was: 209.00 USD
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Frequently Asked Questions

What construction techniques define a Japanese folding tanto?
A Japanese folding tanto is built using traditional steel processing techniques that refine the blade material beyond standard single-alloy construction. The primary technique is differential clay tempering, applied to T10 or high-carbon steel: clay is applied to the spine before quenching to create a hard edge zone and a softer spine, producing the characteristic hamon temper line on the finished blade. In folded construction, the steel is heated and folded multiple times before forming, refining the grain structure. On a tanto's compact blade, these techniques produce a hamon of concentrated detail and a grain structure that rewards examination under magnification. A folding tanto in T10 with visible hamon is one of the most technically complete expressions of traditional Japanese bladesmithing in the small-format category.
How does the tanto blade format differ from katana and wakizashi in a collection?
The tanto blade format differs from the katana and wakizashi primarily in its blade length and what that length enables and constrains for display. At 15 to 30 cm, the tanto is compact enough to display in cases, on desktop stands, or in smaller wall arrangements where a katana would be impractical. The shorter blade means the tanto's construction details - hamon activity, grain pattern, blade geometry at the kissaki tip - are concentrated into a small area that rewards close examination in a way that larger blades spread across more surface. In a display that includes all three blade lengths - tanto, wakizashi, katana - the tanto creates the small detail-focused element that contrasts with the wakizashi's medium proportions and the katana's sweeping length, completing the full Japanese blade length hierarchy.
What is a shirasaya tanto and how does it differ from a standard tanto mounting?
A shirasaya tanto is mounted in a plain, undecorated natural wood housing - both the handle and scabbard are plain unstained wood without ray skin, cord wrapping, tsuba guard, or decorative lacquer. Shirasaya literally means white scabbard, referring to the unfinished natural wood. This mounting style was historically used to store blades between active use, as the minimal fittings eliminated sources of moisture retention and allowed the blade to be inspected quickly. In the collecting context, a shirasaya tanto presents the blade with minimal visual distraction, emphasizing the blade's own geometry, surface quality, and hamon as the primary aesthetic elements. The contrast between the natural pale wood housing and the steel blade creates a specific visual restraint that many collectors find more sophisticated than fully decorated mountings.
What care is specific to a folding tanto with a visible hamon?
A folding tanto with a visible hamon requires care that specifically protects the hamon boundary zone, which contains very fine crystalline activity that is the most visually significant but also most vulnerable area of the blade. The fundamental routine is consistent: wipe the full blade with a soft lint-free cloth after every handling to remove fingerprints and moisture, then apply a thin coat of camellia or mineral oil across the complete blade surface, paying particular attention to the hamon zone. The fine nie crystals in the hamon boundary area have greater surface area than the flat blade zones and can develop oxidation more quickly if left without oil protection. For examination of the hamon, use a bright angled light source - the nie activity in the temper boundary reads most clearly under raking side light. Never use polishing compounds or abrasive materials anywhere on a hamon blade.

Customer Reviews

Jim Gilbert New York, United States
Feb 24, 2026 13:07

My second blade bought from True Katana and I am very happy with both. Sharp and beautiful to look at.r
Highly recommend

Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya
Jim Gilbert New York, United States
Feb 24, 2026 13:06

What a beautiful blade.r
I am not an expert sword collector, but the blade is beautiful, sharp and makes me smile every time I handle it.

Damascus Steel Tanto with Blue Saya - Gold Alloy Tsuba, Black Cord Handle, Purple Gem Accent Damascus Steel Tanto with Blue Saya - Gold Alloy Tsuba, Black Cord Handle, Purple Gem Accent
Markeisha Boyd North Carolina, United States
Feb 15, 2026 15:42

My boyfriend loved the short katana the weight was pleasing unexpected and now wants to order a long.

1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Black Matte Hardwood Saya and Bronze Alloy Oval Tsuba - Full Tang 1045 Carbon Steel Tanto Sword with Black Matte Hardwood Saya and Bronze Alloy Oval Tsuba - Full Tang
John Ernest Rau Ii Michigan, United States
Feb 13, 2026 12:24

It is amazing and thats coming from a blacksmith it is a great blade i do plan on buying 2 more in the future i am very pleased

T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto with Real Hamon in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto with Real Hamon in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent
Goraan Petrovic Croatiahr, Croatia
Feb 13, 2026 11:30

I am pleasantly surprised by your friendliness and service. I will definitely buy another blade in the future.

Clay Tempered T10 Steel Tanto with Real Hamon in Dark Blue Dragon Saya - Gold Alloy Wave Tsuba Clay Tempered T10 Steel Tanto with Real Hamon in Dark Blue Dragon Saya - Gold Alloy Wave Tsuba
Brian Larsen Colorado, United States
Feb 12, 2026 21:01

The Tanto is BEEFY. Like a Crow Bar with a sharp edge. Nicely made T10, clay tempered, glossy black sheath. VERY nice.r
r
The Damascus was BEAUTIFUL with an AMAZING Folded Pattern on the blade. SHARP and ready. I like it so much I bought another as a gift for a friend.r
r
VERY happy!!!!!!!

T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto with Real Hamon in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent T10 Carbon Steel Hamidashi Tanto with Real Hamon in Black Piano Lacquer Saya - Gold Habaki Accent
Arvin Rogelio Castillo Gonzalez Utah, United States
Feb 12, 2026 20:56

its my first one, not the only one. i love good for decoration

Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya Shirasaya Tanto T10 Folded Clay Tempered Steel with Real Hamon in Natural Rosewood Saya
Daniel Luhrsen Florida, United States
Feb 12, 2026 16:14

Fantastic design and blade! Beautiful color as well! Love the feel of it! Definitely will be getting more!

Ghost of Tsushima Tanto - Jin Sakai Short Sword Replica, 1065 Carbon Steel, Blue Blade Ghost of Tsushima Tanto - Jin Sakai Short Sword Replica, 1065 Carbon Steel, Blue Blade