The standard katana blade runs 27-29 inches; the wakizashi typically measures 12-24 inches. At 20 inches, this tamahagane blade occupies the upper end of that shorter range - long enough to carry full katana-style curvature and a clear hamon, compact enough to build into a shorter sword format or a non-standard katana project.
For the assembler building a matched daisho set - long sword and short sword from the same material - this 20-inch blade provides the companion piece to the 28.3-inch variants in this series. Both carry tamahagane steel, real folded hamon, and the same nakago preservation. The visual language of the finished pieces will be consistent at the material level.
The blade is handforged tamahagane - iron sand and charcoal smelted in a tatara furnace into the layered steel that Japanese smiths have used specifically for sword work. The 20-inch edge carries a real hamon: the crystalline differential-hardening line formed when clay-coated steel meets the quench. Jihada grain is visible across the flat. The 7.95-inch nakago retains its black-rust patina intact.
At 1.21 lbs, this is the lightest blade in the series - the shorter length removes mass from the outer edge zone, shifting the balance point closer to the hand. For a builder calibrating the final balance of an assembled piece, the difference from the 1.76-lb full-length blade is a meaningful starting variable.
Full tang, no pre-drilled holes. Drill mekugi-ana to match your tsuka dimensions. Browse the full tamahagane blade range for the 28.3-inch configurations. Free shipping, 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 20-inch tamahagane blade, 27.95 inches overall with 7.95-inch nakago - compact katana proportions.
- Shorter geometry suits wakizashi-length builds or a daisho companion to the 28.3-inch variants.
- Real folded hamon and jihada surface grain - the same authentic forge marks as the full-length series.
- Natural black-rust nakago patina preserved - the traditional protective measure of Japanese sword-smiths.
- 1.26-inch width, 0.75-inch sori, 1.21 lbs - noticeably lighter than the 28.3-inch configuration.
- Full tang, no pre-drilled holes - drill mekugi-ana to match your own tsuka dimensions.
Specification
| Item Number | TK-JP-G10462 |
| Primary Color | Steel |
| Primary Material | Tamahagane Steel |
