Tori Elite Katana

Description of the Product

Katana was a traditional Samurai’s weapon and Katana is commonly also known as a Samurai sword. Carrying a sword was a symbol of high social status, as it was in knightly Europe, and as a widely known symbol of prestige and power it was carried as an essential part of a gentleman’s attire both in civil life and during war. Carrying a sword was allowed only for the Samurai.

The Samurai were the ruling class of the Japanese society for a surprisingly long time, for almost 700 years. Feudal age lasted up until modern times in Japan and the Samurai were the warrior class of this military-run feudal system separated from the merchants, artisans and farmers. Samurai run all of the management and administration but also dealt with war and security of the society.

The Tori Elite Katana combines truly elegant and beautiful furniture to a K120C powder steel forged and folded blade. The blade is made of pattern welded steel often also called Damascus steel where separate layers of steel are forged together, then folded and forged together, folded and forged and so on to make a homogenous and durable blade. This is a method traditionally used in Feudal Japan when manufacturing swords. Alternating layers of steel form an organic wavy pattern that can be best seen near the hamon (tempering line).

The blade geometry and physical characteristics are a result of years of study for the optimum design for today's martial artists and is especially well-suited for Tameshigiri (martial art of test cutting). Excellent blade for frequent cutting and for advanced practitioners of Iaido (martial art that emphasizes quickly drawing the sword). The blade is a little wider than traditional, allowing for easier cuts on normal tameshigiri targets. The traditional soaked tatami mat is the ideal target, but foam noodles and various water bottles can be an inexpensive substitute.

The Tori Elite embodies the classical design elements of one the most prolific sword designs in history. With its strong Shinogi Zukuri shape that accentuates the differential heat treatment, an authentic yokote (a line/bevel that separates the finish of the main blade and the finish of the tip) and a real hamon (wavy temper line near the edge) this blade is traditionally proportioned and styled. This sword appeals to the history collector, but also performs well in cutting of hard or soft targets.

The Tori Elite Katana features premium fittings. The Tsuba and Fuchi/Kashira have a flying crane theme. The crane is one of the Japanese holy creatures, symbolizing good fortune and longevity because of its fabled lifespan of a thousand years. Menuki, the grip-enhancing brass ornament on the handle, features Kabuto (classical samurai helmet). The high quality brown leather Tsuka-ito (handle-wrap) is wrapped over high quality black Same (rayskin). The Saya (scabbard) is wrapped at the mouth with black-lacquered rattan and finished in a textured brown lacquer. The long tang is double-pegged with bamboo pegs for security.

A Traditional Japanese Sword maintenance kit is included. The kit contains blade oil (traditional choji oil that is made of mineral and clove oil), rice papers, an oiling cloth, a powder ball for blade polishing, a brass awl and hammer that is used if one wishes to disassemble the sword and a Saya shimming veneer to retighten the scabbard to the blade if needed. The kit is contained in a fitted wooden box.

Included is traditional cloth bag to keep your sword in pristine condition when in storage or while transporting.

Made by Hanwei. Specs can vary slightly from piece to piece.

• Overall length: 101,6 cm
• Blade length: 71,1 cm
• Handle length: 28 cm
• Weight: 1,1 kg
• Point of Balance: 12,7 cm
• Width at Guard: 3,4 cm
• Width at Tip: 2,6 cm
• Thickness at Guard: 6,4 mm
• Thickness at Tip: 4,1 mm
• Blade material: K120C Powder Steel
• Sharpness: Very sharp