T10 steel offers the best balance of hardness, flexibility, and edge retention — it's our most popular choice for functional katana. 1095 high-carbon steel is harder and holds a sharper edge but is slightly less flexible. Damascus steel features beautiful layered patterns created by folding multiple steel types together, combining beauty with performance. For beginners, we recommend T10 or 1095. For collectors seeking visual impact, Damascus is unmatched. All three steels are available across our full katana collection, starting from $89.