Black Blade Katana - T10 Steel Clay Tempered Sword with Snake Engraved Saya and Gold Alloy Tsuba

This black blade katana features a 28.5-inch nagasa forged from T10 carbon steel, clay tempered to achieve a hardness of 60 HRC. The clay tempering process produces a natural hamon line along the edge, visible even against the deep black finish of the blade. The result is a blade that pairs visual depth with genuine differential hardening - a harder cutting edge supported by a more resilient spine.

The 10.25-inch tsuka is built on a hardwood core wrapped in black PU samegawa, then finished with black PU leather ito in a traditional diamond-pattern wrap. Gold-toned menuki are set beneath the wrap, adding subtle contrast against the dark handle. The full tang construction runs the entire length of the handle, secured for structural integrity.

At the guard position sits a gold-tone alloy tsuba in an oval shape, featuring an intricate sunflower-like relief pattern with fine detailing on both faces. This ornamental tsuba is one of the defining visual elements of the piece, complementing the gold accents found on the menuki and kashira. Collectors who appreciate this style of fitting may also enjoy our Clay Tempered Folded Steel Katana collection for similar premium craftsmanship.

The hardwood saya measures 28.5 inches and carries a matte natural lacquer finish in a dark, speckled tone. A hand-engraved silver snake motif winds along the upper portion near the koiguchi, reinforcing the python theme that defines this katana's character. A bronze-toned snake head emblem is inlaid on the saya body, and a black sageo cord is tied at the kurikata. For those drawn to dark-themed handles and fittings, our Black Leather Handle Japanese Samurai Swords offer related designs worth exploring.

With an overall length of 40.5 inches and a weight of 4.5 lbs, this katana has the heft and proportion of a traditionally sized sword. The cohesive black-and-gold color scheme, combined with the snake-engraved saya and clay tempered T10 steel blade, makes it a distinctive addition to any Japanese sword collection or themed display.