Katana Blog

From Musashi's 60 undefeated duels to the missing Honjo Masamune, the cursed blades of Muramasa, and the demon-slaying Dōjigiri — the warriors and swords that made history.

An $800 "hand-forged" katana turned out to be a $40 stainless steel fake. Here are the 8 checks that would have caught it — tang, hamon, steel, fittings, weight, price, listing, and seller.

Clay tempering isn't marketing — it's a 1,000-year-old process that gives a blade two hardness zones, a real hamon, and a natural curve. This guide explains what it means, how to verify it's real, and whether the price premium is justified.

The Damascus pattern is stunning. But does it cut better? This guide separates ancient Wootz from modern pattern-welding, real from fake, art from hype — so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Kill Bill says yes. Physics says it depends. This guide uses real hardness data, historical tameshigiri records, and expert analysis to separate katana cutting myth from reality.

The katana starts out straight. The curve happens in five seconds during quenching — martensite expansion at the edge, pearlite at the spine. This guide explains the science, the advantages, and the myths.

Samurai katana vs European longsword — two civilizations, two blades, one question. This guide compares cutting power, thrusting, armor penetration, martial arts systems, and delivers an honest verdict.

That misty line along a katana's edge isn't decoration — it's the boundary between two steel structures created by clay tempering. Learn the science, the art, and how to tell real from fake.

T10 and 1095 are the two most debated katana steels. This guide compares composition, hardness, toughness, hamon quality, maintenance, and price — with a clear verdict for each use case.