The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.

What should I look for when buying a katana?

The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.

What is that wavy line running down my blade?

Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.

How do I take care of my katana?

Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.

What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?

Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Wooden Handle Katana, Realistic Katana, Handmade & Full-Tang Katanas

151 Results

Shinwa Black Knight Katana on bamboo mat, showcasing black Damascus steel blade and ornate dragon tsuba.

Black katana inside black scabbard with black hanging cord and faux ray skin handle.

Katana tsuka wrapped in black cord over faux ray skin.

Zoomed view of the brass dragon menuki under the black cord wrapping of the faux ray handle.

Black and gold notch on black lacquered scabbard with black hanging cord wrapped around it.

Close view of the black cord wrapped handle with line detailing on pommel.

Detailing of the stark contract between the orangish brown lines and curves on the black Damascus steel blade.

Tsuba with black dragon aside full view of the katana with black Damascus blade and black lacquered scabbard with view of detailing on pommel.

Shinwa Black Knight Katana

$89.98 ~~Price reduced from $192.99 to~~

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Honshu Boshin Katana with carbon steel modern tactical samurai ninja sword with black tpr grip

Close view of honshu katana sword encased in black leather sageo

Close up view of steel pommel with lanyard hole and tpr rugged textured no slip handle

Close up view of sageo wrapped with a black cord around a black knob

Close up view of Honshu boshin katana carbon sharp steel blade

Zoomed view of stainless steel guard on a japanese sword

Close view of Honshu Boshin Katana with black TPR handle with silver pommel showcasing a lanyard hole

Honshu Boshin® Katana - Tactical Sword, Hand Forged 1060 Carbon Steel

$129.99

Sokojikara Natsukashii Handmade Tachi / Samurai Sword - 1060 Carbon Steel, Clay Tempered, Hand Forged - Genuine Rayskin - Brown Saya - Fully Functional, Battle Ready, Full Tang - 41"

Sokojikara Natsukashii Handmade Tachi / Samurai Sword

$109.98 ~~Price reduced from $196.99 to~~

Different views of the Shikoto Tiger Wood Katana

A view of the blade, scabbard and handle

Shikoto Tigerwood Katana And Scabbard - T10 Carbon Steel Blade, Clay Tempered, Full-Tang, Tigerwood Handle, Iron Tsuba, Brass Habaki

$459.99

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Shinwa Royal Warrior Katana/Samurai sword with black lacquered scabbard, black nylon cord wrapped handle and sharp Damascus steel blade.

Zoomed view of custom winged tsuba design along with black scabbard and detailing of the hardwood handle wrapped in nylon cord.

Shinwa katana handle shown wrapped with black nylon cord.

Detailed view showcasing the faux ray skin of the handle wrapped with braided cord and metal adornment.

Closeup view of the sharp hand forged Damascus steel blade.

The tsuba is shown with a black detailed winglike pattern.

Detailed view of the black braided cording wrapped around the solid black lacquer hardwood scabbard.

Brass collar shown surrounding the Shinwa blade with another look at the winged tsuba.

Shinwa Royal Warrior Handmade Samurai Sword

$97.98 ~~Price reduced from $229.99 to~~

Katana sword of red and black damascus steel blade leads to TPR grip, lays next to black wooden saya wrapped in leather

Honshu katana encased in black wooden saya wrapped in black leather rope that leads to steel handguard and rugged TPR tsuka

Zoomed view of rugged TPR grip and stainless steel handguard with slight peek of red and black damascus steel blade

Zoomed view of the rugged TPR tsuka with textured grooves showing a no-slip grip

Close view of red and black damascus steel blade extended from a sleek black handguard

Close view of black rugged TPR handle on Honshu Boshin handmade katana sword

Black cord wrapped around wooden saya woven through shito dome

Honshu Boshin® HellFyre Damascus Handmade Katana Sword - Hand Forged Red & Black Damascus Steel, Exclusive Metallurgical Process - Full Tang, Modern Tactical - TPR Grip, Wooden Saya - 41"

$199.99

Shinwa Unbroken Night katana shown with black lacquered scabbard and detailed view of the cast tsuba.

The black lacquered scabbard is shown with black nylon hanging cord and zoomed view of the point of the Damascus steel blade.

Detailed view of the cast tsuba with ornate swirl design.

The black faux ray skin handle is wrapped in black cord.

Zoomed view of the brass dragon menuki under the black cord wrapping of the handle.

The black hanging cord of the scabbard matches the black cord of the katana’s handle.

The black faux ray skin handle is wrapped in a black nylon cord with brass menuki peaking out.

Shinwa Unbroken Night Handmade Samurai Sword

$66.98 ~~Price reduced from $205.99 to~~

Shikoto Rurousha handmade katana shown with cast tsuba, wooden scabbard wrapped in leather to match the leather wrapped handle.

The lacquered wooden scabbard is shown with mottled color scheme and leather wrapping.

Zoomed view of the cast tsuba just beneath the leather wrapping of the handle.

The handle is wrapped with genuine leather for grip.

The scabbard has a black hanging cord wrapped around an ornamental piece that matches the brown leather wrapping of the handle.

Kanji is engraved into the Damascus steel blade, just below the brass habaki.

The handle is wrapped in genuine brown leather.

Shikoto Rurousha Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword - Hand Forged Damascus Steel; Engraved Kanji, Twin Fullers, Unique Genuine Leather Wrapping, Cast Tsuba - Functional, Battle Ready, Full Tang Tanto

$183.98 ~~Price reduced from $252.99 to~~

The handle of the odachi sword is shown next to the scabbard, both wrapped with leather.

Japanese Odachi Sword

$135.99

Musha three piece Samurai sword set shown side by side with zoomed views of the engraved blade and floral-like pommel.

All three swords have ray skin handles wrapped in black cording and coordinating red scabbards.

The three sword set is shown all with coordinating red scabbards on a wooden display and zoomed view of the handles.

Musha Red Hand Forged Samurai Sword Set

$92.98 ~~Price reduced from $143.99 to~~

Honshu Boshin HellFyre Damascus Handmade Wakizashi Sword - Hand Forged HellFyre Damascus Steel, Exclusive Metallurgical Process - Full Tang, Modern Tactical - TPR Grip, Wooden Saya - 34"

Honshu Boshin® HellFyre Damascus Handmade Wakizashi Sword - Hand Forged HellFyre Damascus Steel, Exclusive Metallurgical Process - Full Tang, Modern Tactical - TPR Grip, Wooden Saya - 34"

$179.99

White Zombie Slayer Katana Sword And Leather Wrapped Scabbard

$89.99

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS

What is a katana?
The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.
What should I look for when buying a katana?
The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.
What is that wavy line running down my blade?
Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.
How do I take care of my katana?
Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.
What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?
Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Japanese Katanas

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS