Bushido Tonbo Katana

Part of a New Series of Bushido Katanas, handcrafted by expert craftsmen in a small town nestled in the Longquan Mountain Range of China's Zhejiang province, where the tradition of skilled sword making began over 2,000 years ago. Every part of this sword is expertly crafted by highly skilled smiths using a centuries-old method where the blade is pattern welded, a forging of multiple layers of different types of steel together, then twisting and manipulating them to create a visible pattern on the finished blade, resembling waves, achieved through this process called pattern welding, with most of the blade in the 40-45 HRC range and about 35 HRC by the guard. The simulated hamon is expertly applied by an artisan, a visual pattern or aesthetic appearance without the true hardening properties of a real hamon on a blade, designed to look like a traditional Japanese 'hamon'. Extremely sharp, an excellent cutter, each blade is honed to cleanly cut through a sheet of paper before it leaves the factory, which it does.

Functionality wise it feels solid, designed for tameshigiri, controlled cutting exercises, ceremonial use, collectors and enthusiasts. The tsuba and pommel are emblazoned with dragonflies, to the Samurai, the dragonfly was a symbol of fearlessness, swiftness and courage and believed they would bring soldiers strength and protection. Japan is also known as the Island of the Dragonfly or Akitsushima (akitsu is the Japanese word for dragonfly and shima means island). The tsuba, pommel and the fuchigashira (the collar next to the tsuba) are crafted of brass with an aged finish. The grip is genuine Rayskin wrapped with cord. The wood scabbard has a striking flat, mottled copper coloured finish with an eye-catching black and tan cord wrap. Includes cotton storage bag.

Dimensions: 109 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm