T10 Carbon Steel Katana with Clay Tempered Blade in Black Piano-Lacquer Saya - Gold Dragon Tsuba

The blade starts with T10 carbon steel - a high-carbon tool steel chosen for its density and edge retention. Each nagasa is hand-forged and clay tempered: a layer of clay is applied to the spine before quenching, forcing the edge to harden at 60 HRC while the spine remains comparatively flexible. The result is a visible hamon line that runs the full 28.34-inch length, a direct record of the heat treatment rather than an etched imitation.

The tsuka runs 10.23 inches and is built in the traditional layered method. Hardwood core halves are fitted to the full tang, then wrapped in real white samegawa - ray skin whose pebbly surface resists slipping. Over that, black cord is wound in the standard diamond pattern, locking the samegawa in place and providing the final grip surface. The contrast between white skin and black wrap is one of the most recognizable visual signatures of classical Japanese sword furniture.

At the junction of blade and handle sits a real copper tsuba finished in gold tone. The guard is cast with dragon and wave relief across its face - a motif that carries considerable cultural weight in Japanese craft traditions, representing strength and fluid power. The openwork habaki beneath it echoes the same gold palette, tying the fittings together visually.

The saya is hardwood shaped to the blade and finished in multiple coats of piano lacquer, producing a deep, mirror-smooth black surface. Hand-applied gold accent motifs - rendered in the same loose, organic style visible across the saya body - break the black ground without overwhelming it. The black sageo is tied at the koiguchi in the standard knot, ready for use or display as delivered.

At 40.55 inches overall and 2.64 lbs, this katana holds the proportions and weight distribution of a full-size nihonto. Every component - clay-tempered T10 blade with real hamon, white samegawa tsuka, gold dragon copper tsuba, and piano-lacquer saya with gold motifs - is present and fitted as shown. No stand is included.