T10 Clay Tempered Katana with Red Hardwood Saya - Real Hamon, Tiger Alloy Tsuba

The blade starts with T10 carbon steel, a high-carbon tool steel selected for its edge stability and ability to hold a refined profile after hand finishing. Clay tempering - applying a differential clay coat before the quench - produces a visible, authentic hamon line running the length of the 28.34-inch nagasa. At 60 HRC on the edge and a softer spine behind it, the blade achieves the structural contrast that defines traditional Japanese forging.

The handle is 11.02 inches of hardwood wrapped first in genuine white rayskin (samegawa), then bound in black cotton cord using a standard diamond wrap pattern. The rayskin's naturally textured surface sits beneath the cord, adding grip and a tactile layer consistent with historically accurate tsuka construction. A black silk tassel finishes the kashira end.

The saya is the most visually striking component. Red hardwood lacquered to a piano finish provides the base, and over that surface, hand-painted embossed artwork depicts flowering branches, birds, and foliage in white, cream, and soft gold. The motifs run nearly the full 28.74-inch length of the scabbard. A black-red sageo cord is secured at the kurikata with traditional knotwork, providing contrast against the deep red lacquer.

The tsuba is cast alloy with a tiger-themed relief design, finished with gold and silver gilding across the raised detail work. The circular guard is substantial and deeply textured, sitting between a hammered gold habaki and the base of the tsuka wrap. The combination of gilded alloy against the black handle cord and chrome blade creates a deliberate color progression from tip to saya.

Overall length is 39.76 inches, total weight 3.08 lbs, packaged in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch box at 4 lbs shipping weight. Every component - steel, wood, cord, lacquer, and metalwork - is finished to a consistent standard that makes this katana a serious addition to any Japanese sword collection.