1095 Carbon Steel Tanto with Blue Blade - Black Ito, Real Rayskin & Blue-Gold Striped Hardwood Saya

The blade is forged from 1095 carbon steel and hardened to 62 HRC, producing a striking blue-finished surface with a sculpted wave hamon running the length of the edge. At 28.74 in long and 1.259 in wide, the nagasa carries a gentle curve typical of the tanto form, tapering to a clean point that makes the profile unmistakable. The blue coloration shifts in light, catching cool highlights near the spine and warmer tones toward the edge - a finish style sometimes called "raging fire" in reference to the layered contrast between the blue body and the white hamon line.

The tsuka is built over a full-tang core, wrapped first in genuine black rayskin (samegawa) that provides grip texture beneath the binding. Navy blue ito is wound in the traditional diamond-gap style over the rayskin, revealing white samegawa diamonds at regular intervals along the 10.62 in handle. A gold-tone menuki sits beneath the wrap, its form visible through the gaps and adding a point of detail that breaks up the dark cord uniformly.

The guard is a round alloy tsuba finished in matte black with an openwork floral cutout - a design that references natural motifs without overwhelming the overall color palette. The cutout pattern allows light through the guard, giving it visual depth. Paired with the black fuchi and kashira collars, the tsuba anchors the transition between handle and blade cleanly. For collectors interested in exploring different katana tsuba styles, the floral openwork here represents a classic approach to guard design.

The hardwood saya is the most visually distinctive element of the set. Diagonal gold stripes run across a deep blue lacquered body, creating a bold striped pattern along the full 29.92 in length. A navy blue sageo with a gold-tone bead slides through the kurikata, matching the ito color and completing the blue-and-gold theme that runs consistently across handle, guard, and scabbard. The lacquer coat is applied over the hardwood base for durability and surface protection.

At 21.65 in overall and 1.54 lb, this tanto fits within the compact proportions that define the form - short enough for single-handed display positioning, substantial enough to feel solid when handled. Shipping weight is 2.2 lb in a 23.6 x 3.9 x 3.5 in package. Whether added to a tanto swords collection or displayed alongside full-length pieces, the consistent blue-and-gold color story makes it a strong standalone visual.