How to Pick a Samurai Sword

Familiarize yourself with the properties of samurai swords before making a selection.

Whether you're selecting a basic katana for casual practice or are embarking on an intensive study of kenjutsu and the Japanese sword, familiarizing yourself with the factors that distinguish an effective weapon from one that is merely decorative is vital. With a careful eye for detail and a basic understanding of the anatomy of the "daito" sword, practically any martial artist can become a judge of quality weapons.

Things You'll Need

• One or numerous katana swords
• Scrap of cloth

Instructions

1. Observe the "tsuka" or handle of the sword. Determine if the handle is made of plastic material or traditional wood bindings. Find the metal pins securing the blade "tang" to the handle and count them: any number less than three indicates lesser quality.

2. Test the sturdiness of the "tsuba," or pommel-guard. Determine whether or not the material (traditionally a metal design or pattern) is shaky or less stable once you grip the sword. Ensure that the tsuba is not too thick, thereby throwing off the balance of the sword.

3. Unsheathe the katana with the blade facing up. Examine for nicks, oil stains, rust or other signs of wear-and-tear along the blade. Carefully test the blade's condition by gently guiding a cloth along the blade and testing for any snags in its cutting edge. Study the "hama" or temper line along the blade where the softer spine-metal of the sword meets the harder edge. Note any damage.

4. Examine the "kissaki" or blade tip. This is one of the most crucial parts of the Japanese sword. Ensure that the tip is intact and does not have any chips or alterations.

5. Hold the sword in both hands and examine the straightness of the blade. Practice the basic over-head cut with the blade while making sure to avoid hitting the ground or your own foot during the downswing. Test the steadiness of the blade.

6. Extend your palm and gently place the center point of the sword in it. Discover which place on the sword is the balancing point and decide whether the blade is balanced for daily use (most katanas by nature are significantly well-balanced).

7. Decide on the particulars you'd like for your chosen weapon. Experiment with your sword and decide on a desired length, blade thickness, tsuka length, tang size, hama pattern, tsuba decoration, and any other parts of the sword that you feel inclined to customize or alter in some way.

8. Contact a swordsmith such as Cold Steel, Paul Chen or Bugei and inquire about prices for custom-made blades of your specifics, or simply test and purchase a current model of katana (the Paul Chen Practical Katana being a popular introductory blade). Train diligently and acclimate yourself to your weapon through daily practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice caution when in the company of an unsheathed blade. Never underestimate the cutting potential of a Japanese sword.

References

• Bugei: Bugei Exclusive Swords
• Swords of the East: Hanwei
• Cold Steel

Resources

• PickyGuide: Guide to Katana Swords