A Brief History of the Samurai Sword

Samurai swords have been renowned throughout history for the precise craftsmanship that gave them their strength and sharp cutting edge. They were a symbol of the elevated social status of Samurai and were often passed down through generations, but it wasn’t until the 13 th century they found their place in Japanese history.

Before then, the bow was the primary weapon in Japan, but when the Mongols invaded and brought a more frenzied style of battle, the strong and sharp Japanese swords proved to be far superior to both Mongol blades and armor. When Hideyoshi banned the carrying of weapons for civilians in 1588 CE, the swords became associated with the Samurai warrior class. Today, several of these swords are kept guarded in Japanese museums and are considered national treasures.

How Materials Effect the Quality of Your Sword

Carbon steel has always been used to craft katana and other Samurai swords. Traditionally, iron sand and soft pine charcoal would be converted into steel through a week-long layering process that allowed high and low carbon materials to be separated but did not produce much steel compared to the materials consumed. Today, we have easy access to various qualities of steel, but the best swords are still made from the strongest and longest-lasting carbon steel.

The first two digits of a carbon steel grade refer to the type of carbon steel, in this case, plain carbon steel (10). The last two digits signify the amount of carbon in the steel. The high carbon content (0.95%) of 1095 carbon steel is the most elite material used in the production of katanas and other Samurai blades. It takes and holds a keen edge that’s comparable, if not superior to, that of the traditional Katana. It also offers incredible strength, which is a characterizing feature of Samurai swords but is more difficult to craft with than weaker carbon steel grades.

Carbon steel with a rating of 1060 or 1045 is easier to work with and produces a strong and reliable sword, though these are not recommended for swords that will be used for purposes other than display.

The addition of tungsten in this alloy makes the sword more resistant to abrasions and scratches compared to other types of steel. It has a higher flex capacity than the 1095 carbon steel, but it will not hold its edge for as long. T10 tool steel is an appropriate choice for swords that will be lightly handled and primarily used for décor.

Folding was originally used as a technique to remove impurities from the steel. Today, pure steel is readily available, but folding can still be used as a decorative technique to create a grain pattern in the blade. A folded steel blade should be made only by experienced craftsmen to avoid the occurrence of gaps between layers that can severely compromise the strength of the sword.

Damascus is created by folding different grades of steel into each other only a few times before shaping the blade, allowing the contrasting pattern to show through in the finished result. This contrast was traditionally exaggerated with etching and polishing techniques.