Custom Katana Sword Parts

The Katana sword is made from many different parts, each one contributes to the sword full functionality and each one is important, it might be confusing at first to keep up with all the Japanese terms for every part of the sword.

Here is an organized list of all the Katana sword parts and terms available for customization on our site and their functionalities:

For any sword enthusiasts like you, making the decision to choose full tang Katana is certainly a must.

The term full tang means that the blade steel goes all the way through the entire handle and it’s made of one piece of solid steel.

This allows the Katana for increased force leveraged through the handle against any resistance of the material cut by its blade.

On most of our swords, the Tang is being held by 2 Mekugi pegs, on shorter blades like the Tanto we sometime use 1 Mekugi peg.

All of our swords for sale are full Tang.

Folded Steel Swords

You probably heard about the folded steel Katana, or sometime referred to as Damascus steel Katana sword, During feudal Japan, the folding process was done to even out the impurities in the steel.

Yet today with modern steel being used, the folding process is not necessary for the blade capabilities, it is being done for traditional and aesthetic purposes. When the steel is folded, each fold multiply the layers of the steel, which creates a subtle Hada, and results in a beautiful grain pattern on the blade. Yet it does not improve the cutting abilities of the blade.

The folding has to be done properly and with utmost care, otherwise it can create air pockets between the layers, which will eventually result in blade failure.

All of our swords and steel types can be ordered folded. Our standard is 13 folds, which creates 8192 layers of steel.

If you are looking for a traditional looking blade with folded pattern, then you can choose one of our folded steel Katana swords from your preferred type of steel at the custom sword pages.

Clay tempered Katana is a sword that went through the differential hardening process, also known as clay tempering.

The main goal of the clay tempering process is to give the Katana a very hard edge that is stronger, more capable and durable, while at the same time keeping the spine of the sword softer and bendable.

This help in making the clay tempered Katana very resistant to breaking, with extremely sharp and hard edge that is more resistant to wear.

Clay is being used to cover the blade, yet the edge is left exposed, so when it is heated and quenched, the edge of the blade cools quickly and becoming very hard, while the rest of the blade takes longer to cool, and produce a softer steel.

This also results in authentic Hamon line which can be seen on the Samurai Katana blade, different clay tempering techniques produce different Hamon patterns.

If you are looking for a clay tempered sword, You can choose between our 1095 carbon steel Katana and T10 Tool Steel Katana.

Those type of clay tempered blades are usually referred to as Battle ready Katana swords, as they can stand the rigours of test cutting and a real combat.

The Tsuba (Katana Sword Guard)

Apart from being a very sharp weapon, The Samurai Katana swords are works of art. During ancient days the Tsuba was also used to exhibits the swordsmen prosperity and stature.

The Tsuba serves as guard around the handle of the sword.
This keeps the sword in balance while it protects you from having your hand cut from the blade.

There are instances when the Tsuba means the difference between your life and death because it blocks the incoming slash from your opponent’s sword.
There are different Tsuba designs available made from different materials.

Mainly there are two basic types of Tsuba:

Tetsu – which is made of iron
Kinko – uses softer metals like copper, alloy, gold and silver

We offer variety of Tsuba designs, made of metal alloy, brass, iron and copper. You can choose your preferred style for your sword hand guard.

Fuchi Kashira (Hilt Collar & Pommel)

Fuchi Kashira are actually two words which refers to ornamental fittings attach to the hilt of the Japanese swords. Fuchi is the Hilt collar while Kashira is the Pommel.

The Kashira fits over the edge of the hilt and the Fuchi fits around the hilt close behind the Tsuba.

At Katanas for sale you can decide which fittings you want to use on your custom made Katana sword.

Knowing that even the tiniest part and every inch of the sword is custom made makes all the difference.

For high end swords we recommend choosing the high quality copper set of fittings which feature beautiful designs of animals, Samurai, Warriors, and lot more. The fittings are made by top notch craftsman and worthy to decorate your sword with.

If you would look closely at the details, you can truly appreciate the exquisite appearance that goes into each of this Fuchi and Kashira.

Menuki are referred to as handle ornaments. However, just as anything associated with this custom made Katana not everything is as it seems.
The Menuki usually sold in pairs and are placed on each side of the Tsuka.
For practical purposes the Menuki is created to help you get a better grip of the handle since it fills the gap in the palm of the hands.

Some schools do emphasize that its purpose is to ensure that the hand is properly placed. Originally the Menuki was meant to hide the Mekugi pegs. This is a peg that bolts the Tsuka to the Nakago, commonly made of bamboo, but can be made of copper or other materials.
You can plan the design of the Menuki to work with a specific theme of fittings like dragons or tigers, or any other design you can find from our selection. We have several types of qualities available.

Habaki-blade-collar

Habaki (Blade Collar)

Habaki is a custom made wedged shaped metal collar that will keep the Samurai sword from falling out of its saya.

There are several purposes behind the use of Habaki and these are:

  • Secure the blade in the scabbard this shifts the pressure for the blade
  • Acts as a solid shoulder to mount the handle and guard
  • Provides transition from tang to blade
  • Prevents the sword from falling out of the scabbard
  • Supports the fuchi, kashira and menuki

A standard blade collar like this is normally made of brass or iron.

The Habaki makes the sword firm and sturdy and once it is fitted, the carbon steel Katana blade is ready for a handle.

Seppa (Washers)

Seppa are washers positioned above and below the Tsuba they work to tighten the fittings. Katana sword has two Seppa.

Some describes them as the spacers that hold the Tsuba on each side. the common materials used for Seppa can be bronze, brass or copper.

Seppa must fit well to ensure that the Tsuba will not loosen and the handle will remain as is.

Ito Wrap (Handle Wrap)

The Japanese term used for wrapping your handle is Tsukamaki.

We offer two styles of wrapping, the traditional wrap (Tsumami-Maki) and battle wrap (Katate-Maki).

The Ito can be made from leather or rayon silk in a variety of colors. Normally we match the color of the Sageo to the color of the Ito.

Rayskin Samegawa

The Samegawa is the stingray skin fitted into the handle of the sword.

The Japanese Samurai warrior used stingray skin on the hilt of the Katana sword for the primary reason that Samegawa provides a nonslip grip even if it was soaked in blood.

Saya (Scabbard)

The saya is the sheath of the Samurai sword. It is traditionally made out of lacquered wood, and it’s main purpose is to protects the Katana blade when it is not in use.

Removing the blade from the Saya like you see in the movies, without hurting yourself or damaging the saya, takes practice and skill.

The fluid and graceful movement of drawing the sword and returning it back to the Saya is known as laido.

Sword Engraving

Sword engraving will ensure that your custom sword is unique and personalized for your taste. This opens up endless of possibilities, and you can engrave your favorite quotes, something meaningful and even an image.

If you were looking for the perfect gifts for men, then engraving on your sword can make a big difference between a Katana, and custom Katana that was intended for the person you want to give it to.

When using sword engraving, every inch of the custom Katana will become part of that personalization and evidence of beautiful craftsmanship.

You can use any language you want for the engraving, if you prefer something written in English, Japanese Kanji or Chinese characters.

Sword engraving has managed to put thoughts and ideas into steel and use it to express an art work.

Think of the sword as the craftsman canvass, Imagine owning a piece with something full of meaning, like your soul belongs in the sword.

Blade Coloring

If you ever dreamt about this black blade Katana, then now you can have it. And you don’t have to limit yourself to black.

We offer several variations of blade colors for your custom Katana or any other Samurai sword or Ninja sword available on the site.

The blade colors available depends on the type of steel you have chosen.

Folded Steel –Choose between Black & Red blade, and Purple sword blade.

Non Folded Steel – Choose between Blue, Gold or Black blade Katana.

The blade coloring is a natural acid dyeing method. Each color will give your sword unique look and will change the overall appearance. You can further enhance those with requesting polish for the blade.

Remember that the process of selecting your blade is the very first step that you need to take in building your customized Katana and will affect the rest of your blade choices.

Start now

Have you ever dream of making your martial art moves holding your own custom Katana sword in your hand?

You can start now by making a choice on what type of custom sword you wish to purchase.

Our recommendation for you is to choose higher quality blade that uses the traditional methods of clay tempering.

This will result in authentic hamon line due to the differential hardening process and will make the sword for more flexible.

You can choose folded steel to further enhance the sword beauty and have the impressive texture of the thousands of steel layers on the sword. As a rule of thumb, the more complicated the techniques employed during the process of making the Katana blade. The more valuable the sword will be.

Suffice to say that our custom handmade Katanas are unique work of art where our craftsmen love for what they are doing can be clearly seen in each of the swords that you will order.

The amount of detail that goes into each of these custom made Katana is astounding, especially with possibility to further customize each sword to have unique personality based on the one who will own it.

Our team of craftsmen will make it happen. after all, it is our goal to make you happy and satisfied so you will be coming back for more!

If you have special requests, remember to be specific as much as possible when you contact us, so that we can better comply and provide you with the sword you are dreaming of.

We want to ensure that you are getting not just a Katana but, something that you will treasure to own for the rest of your life.

After all this symbolizes a prized possession that the average guy do not own.

This highly valued blade will essentially live longer then you if properly treated and maintained.

The Samurai regarded the Katana sword as an extension of his soul.

That is how highly revered this Samurai sword is, especially to those that admire the technical excellence and other qualities that makes the Katana sword so special.