T10 Steel Tanto with Clay Tempered Blade, Black Saya & Gold Snake Fittings

The blade of this tanto is forged from T10 steel and clay tempered to a hardness of 62 HRC, producing a visible hamon line along the 12.5-inch nagasa. The differential hardening process creates a harder edge zone alongside a more resilient spine, and the hand-finished surface carries a bright chrome polish that catches light cleanly from tip to habaki. This is a precision-finished blade built for display presence as much as structural integrity.

The handle assembly pairs a 6.3-inch tsuka with black cord wrapping laid over a white polyurethane leather base. The ito pattern sits tightly wound, giving the grip both visual texture and a secure purchase. The full tang construction extends through the entire handle, keeping the balance point consistent across the sword's 20.5-inch overall length.

The gold-tone alloy tsuba is cast with a raised dragon composition, the surface detail dense enough to reward close inspection. It separates the blade from the handle with clean contrast - bright gold against chrome steel on one side, black ito on the other. The menuki and collar fittings continue the gold hardware theme throughout the handle zone.

The black hardwood saya is finished in piano lacquer, giving the surface a deep, reflective gloss. A sculpted gold snake ornament is mounted along the body of the saya, paired with red line engraving that runs beneath it - a distinctive visual detail that sets this piece apart from standard tanto scabbards. The black sageo cord is braided and knotted at the koiguchi, completing the two-tone color scheme. For more designs in this format, browse our Tanto Blade collection.

At 20.5 inches overall and 1.5 lbs, this tanto occupies the compact end of the Japanese short sword spectrum without sacrificing visual weight. The combination of clay tempered T10 steel, gold hardware, and the python-themed saya makes it a strong focal point in any display arrangement. If you prefer a similar aesthetic in a traditional hamidashi format, the Clay Tempered Hamidashi collection offers related options worth exploring.