T10 is a tungsten-alloyed tool steel with a carbon content in the 0.95-1.05% range - higher than most blade steels, with tungsten additions that improve wear resistance and help maintain a fine grain structure at the hardening temperatures required for differential tempering. It is a steel that rewards the clay-tempering process: the tungsten's grain-refining effect makes it well-suited to the differential hardening that produces a hamon, allowing the edge zone to reach the hardness needed for edge retention while the spine remains tough.
This blade is handforged T10 at 28.3 inches, clay tempered with a real hamon along the cutting edge. The differential hardening process - clay applied to the spine slowing its cooling while the edge quenches hard - produces the crystalline boundary visible along the edge zone, its specific form unique to this forging's clay pattern and quench. Jihada surface grain from folding is visible across the flat.
The specifications follow standard katana geometry: 37.8 inches overall, 1.26-inch width, 0.75-inch sori, 1.76 lbs. The 9.5-inch full-tang nakago carries its black-rust patina intact - the protective oxidation layer that Japanese blade construction has relied on to shield the tang from corrosion within a handle.
T10 provides a different set of material properties from tamahagane: more consistent across the blade, with tungsten additions providing an extra margin of wear resistance, at a lower price point than the tamahagane variants. For an assembler weighing material options, the bare blade collection offers T10, tamahagane, and pattern steel for direct comparison. Full tang, no pre-drilled holes. Free shipping, 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 28.3-inch T10 carbon steel blade - tungsten-alloyed tool steel selected for edge retention and grain control.
- Clay tempered with real folded hamon - differential hardening line distinct to each individual forging.
- Jihada surface grain from folding visible across the flat - evidence of the multi-step forge process.
- 9.5-inch full-tang nakago with black-rust patina; 37.8 inches overall, 1.76 lbs, 0.75-inch sori.
- 1.26-inch blade width - standard katana geometry, consistent with traditional proportions.
- No pre-drilled holes on the tang - drill mekugi-ana to match your own tsuka dimensions.
Specification
| Item Number | TK-JP-G10467 |
| Primary Color | Steel |
| Primary Material | T10 Carbon Steel |
