Folded Melaleuca Steel Katana with Teal Cord Handle, Wave Engraving & Black Lacquer Saya

The blade is forged from folded melaleuca steel, a material prized for its layered grain patterns that emerge across the polished surface. Hand-finished to a chrome-bright polish, the edge carries a genuine hamon - the undulating temper line that results from differential heat treatment and stands as the visual signature of traditional Japanese sword craft. A wave engraving runs along the blade flat, adding a secondary layer of detail that catches light at every angle. Explore the full range in our Melaleuca Steel Katana collection.

The tsuka is built over a full-tang core and wrapped in PU blue samegawa ray skin, then bound with teal cord in a traditional diagonal pattern. Blue menuki accent pieces are seated beneath the wrap at intervals, providing both visual punctuation and tactile reference points. The pairing of teal cord against the blue ray skin creates a layered depth of color that reads as distinctly refined rather than simply colorful.

The iron tsuba presents a floral theme in raised relief, finished in a black and gold two-tone treatment. Floral motifs carry deep roots in Japanese aesthetic tradition, representing the transient beauty found throughout classical art and literature. The gold detailing within the iron work gives the guard a presence that anchors the transition between blade and handle without competing with either.

The saya is shaped from hardwood and finished in a deep black lacquer that mirrors the matte tones of the tsuba. Real horn koiguchi and kojiri fittings close the mouth and tip of the scabbard, details that distinguish a thoughtfully assembled koshirae from a standard production piece. The teal sageo cord wraps and ties at the saya in a braided presentation knot, completing the green-and-black color story that runs through every fitting. See more options in our Japanese Folded Steel Sword collection.

At 40.55 inches overall with a blade width of 1.259 inches and a weight of 2.8 lb, this katana is proportioned to present well whether mounted horizontally on a display stand or stored in its saya. Every component - from the folded steel blade with its wave engraving to the horn-fitted black lacquer scabbard - reflects a consistent standard of koshirae assembly that makes this a strong addition to any serious collection.