1095 Carbon Steel Katana with Blue Blade, Gold Skull Tsuba in Brown Ito Wrap

The blade of this katana is forged from 1095 carbon steel and finished in a deep blue that shifts with the light along its curved length. A hand-filed wavy hamon line traces the edge from base to tip, giving the steel a visual rhythm that references traditional tempering aesthetics. The blue finish holds consistent across the 41-inch overall length, with a refined tip geometry and clean shinogi ridge. Collectors drawn to Blue 1095 Carbon Steel Katana designs will recognize the deliberate contrast this color choice brings to a traditional silhouette.

The tsuka is built on a hardwood core wrapped in black PU samegawa, then bound in brown cotton ito using a standard diamond wrap pattern. Menuki hardware is set beneath the ito at the midpoint of the handle, adding tactile variation to the grip profile. The brown cord reads warm against the cool blue of the blade, creating a color tension that carries through the entire piece.

The tsuba is cast from alloy in a full skull form with gold-tone finish. The three-dimensional skull face sits centered on the guard, with surface detail across the cranium and eye sockets. The copper-toned habaki at the blade collar transitions cleanly between the guard and the blade's blue finish, keeping the fittings visually cohesive.

The saya is shaped from hardwood and finished in a hand-painted lacquer combining deep black and vivid red in a splatter and wash pattern. The irregular red pooling across the surface gives the scabbard a dramatic, high-contrast look. A brown sageo cord matching the tsuka ito is attached at the kurikata, completing the color story across handle, guard, and scabbard. For a broader look at this style, see the 1095 Full Tang Katana collection.

Total length is 41 inches and the piece ships at 4 lbs in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch package. The full-tang blade construction runs through the complete tsuka. No stand or display mount is included.