Primary tamahagane designates the entry tier within tamahagane steel - the starting material that carries the essential character of tatara-forged steel at a more accessible price than the higher-grade finishing levels. It is still tamahagane: iron sand and charcoal smelted in a traditional tatara furnace, sorted by carbon content, folded, and forged into a blade with differentiated hardness across its structure. The difference is in the degree of surface refinement applied before the blade reaches this form.
For an assembler building their first tamahagane katana, or for someone who wants the material authenticity of tamahagane forging without committing to the premium finishing tiers, this blade provides that entry point. The 28.3-inch blade runs 37.8 inches overall with a 9.5-inch full-tang nakago - standard katana proportions, standard geometry, the same 1.26-inch width and 0.75-inch sori curvature. The weight is 1.76 lbs.
The hamon is real: the crystalline differential-hardening line formed when clay-coated steel meets the quench during tempering. Its specific form is unique to this forging. The jihada surface grain - the folded steel pattern across the flat - is present and visible, the inherent mark of the tamahagane forging process. The nakago's black-rust patina is preserved intact, the same protective measure Japanese smiths have used for centuries.
The nakago has no pre-drilled holes. Mekugi-ana placement is determined by the builder's tsuka dimensions and chosen fittings, so drilling is left to the assembler. See the full tamahagane blade range for the premium finishing tiers alongside this entry-level option. Free shipping, 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Primary tamahagane steel - entry tier into tatara-forged blade material at an accessible price point.
- 28.3-inch blade, 37.8 inches overall, 9.5-inch nakago - full katana proportions in tamahagane steel.
- Real folded hamon along the cutting edge - the differential-hardening line from clay tempering.
- Jihada surface grain visible across the flat - the folded pattern that marks tamahagane as a class apart.
- Black-rust nakago patina preserved; full tang with no pre-drilled holes.
- 1.26-inch width, 0.75-inch sori, 1.76 lbs - drill mekugi-ana to your own tsuka configuration.
Specification
| Item Number | TK-JP-G10466 |
| Primary Color | Steel |
| Primary Material | Tamahagane Steel |
