News
Collectible Katanas, Tachi, Jian & Dao: A Collector's Guide
What makes a katana collectible? How the katana, tachi, jian and dao differ, what collectors look for, and how to build a collection across Japanese and Chinese traditions.
Steel and Spirit: The Jian in Daoist Tradition
In Daoist ritual practice a sword is treated as something closer to a person than a tool. A look at the ritual jian, the thunder rite, and the lineage behind our Master Collection.
The Sword That Watches: Japan's Tradition of the Protective Blade
Long before collectors framed them on stands, Japanese swords were given, carried and kept close as protective talismans. A look at mamori-gatana and the guardian meaning in a sword's fittings.
How a Katana Is Clay Tempered, Step by Step
From forge to final polish: how a katana is clay tempered step by step, how to tell a real hamon from a fake, and how to care for a clay-tempered blade. Part 2 of our clay tempering series.
What Is Clay Tempering? Differential Hardening Explained
What really happens inside the steel when a smith clay tempers a katana: martensite vs. pearlite, the hamon, the curve, and which steels work. Part 1 of our clay tempering series.
Katana Steel Types Explained
Quick answer: T10 and 1095 are modern high-carbon tool steels — T10 is a little harder and more wear-resistant, 1095 is simpler and more forgiv...