How to Build a Wholesale Katana

The katana is used in martial arts and also serves as decoration.

A katana is a Japanese sword with a distinctive curve that is commonly used as a samurai weapon. A wholesale katana is made with the intention of selling it to a retailer, who then marks the price up to sell the sword for a profit.

Things You'll Need

• Metal
• Trace lacquer
• Angle grinder
• Abrasive grinding disk

Instructions

1. Spray trace lacquer on the metal plate. Wait for the trace lacquer to dry and then draw the outline of the katana on the blade using an object with a thin tip.

2. Use the angle grinder to cut out the shape of the katana. This rough version will need further refining for it to function properly. Afterward, the rough edges should be smoothed out.

3. Use an abrasive grinding disk to grind down the markings. Try to keep the edges as smooth and straight as possible.

4. Spray trace lacquer on both sides of the blade. Wait for the spray to dry. Draw a line down the middle of the cutting edge of the blade.

5. Grind down the cutting edge using the abrasive grinding disk until you have a diagonal edge that travels from the middle part of the side of the blade down to the cutting edge line that you drew. Repeat this step on the other side. Now, you should have a thin edge that can cut.

6. Sand the katana with sandpaper. Start with 400 grit and sand the metal until it is smoother. Work your way up each grade until you reach 1,800 grit. Use closed-coat sandpaper since it sands more effectively than open-coat.

7. Use dish soap and a washcloth to remove any dirt or excess debris from the katana. Apply a quarter-sized drop of metal polish to the washcloth. Rub the blade until it has the shine you want.

8. Contact stores that sell swords and offer to sell them your homemade sword at wholesale price.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are traveling to a store that is a distance away, send an introductory letter, photos, brochure and sample to the retailer. Then call the retailer after a week and schedule an appointment. Do not wait too long, or else the retailer may have forgotten about the package you sent. However, do not call too early, since the package may not have arrived yet.

References

• Investor Glossary: Wholesale
• Samurai Sword Shop; How to Make a Katana; April 2009
• Wood Zone: Sandpaper 101
• Frugal Mom: How to Find and Sell to Stores and Galleries That Buy Crafts