Hanbon Forge's Blog

How to measure Japanese sword size properly

zhang 07/01/2019 0

* The nagasa is the most important specification of a sword (blade). This is considered the blade length, despite it's not the full length of the sword. The nagasa is measured in a straight line from the mune-machi (back of the blade which sits inside the habaki) to the tip of the kissaki (point). * The nakago is measured from the mune-machi to th...

THE TANG (NAKAGO) FILING MARKS (YASURIME)

zhang 02/01/2019 0

The tang (NAKAGO) is the end of the blade opposite to the point which usually contains information regarding the date, signature of the maker, owner's name, school/village, result of cutting test etc. Another distinguishing factor on various Samurai sword tangs are the filing marks. These consists of a series of straight lines that were applied by ...

Why would a reverse-bladed katana be harder to kill with

zhang 28/12/2018 0

Reverse-edged blade is called sakabato. On a normal katana, the outward curved side of the blade is sharpened, while the inward curved side of the blade is blunt. In contrast, the sakabato is a strange blade which designed as a simple katana with its blade forged on the opposite side than normal, making it a sword ill-fit for killing. A reverse bla...

How to remove the handle from a katana

zhang 26/12/2018 0

Once the mekugi (two bamboo pegs) have been removed, the tsuka (handle) is ready to be taken off. Our katana sword's handle is only fixed by the mekugi, no glue or others inside. Please draw the saya out of blade at first. With the blade tip pointed upward grasp the handle with both hands. Your right hand should be just below the tsuba (guard) and ...

Fuchi (sleeve) and Koshira (pommel)

zhang 24/12/2018 0

The Koshira (pommel) is a metal accessory mounted at the end of the tsuka (handle) of Japanese katana swords, while the Fuchi (sleeve) is the sword mounting between the tsuba (guard) and handle. The tang of the sword goes into the handle through the opening in the fuchi. Often matched sets these two pieces together are called fuchi-koshira. Wa...

Artistry of wielding the Tang Dao sword

zhang 21/12/2018 0

Artistry of wielding the Tang Dao sword is simply divided into: chopping, cutting, stabbing and blocking. Want a unique sword? Feel free to contact us: Phone: 086 13739276006 Email: sales@hanbonforge.com Website: www.hanbonforge.com Custom Sword Page: www.hanbonforge.com/CUSTOM-SWORDS/Custom-Your-Own-Swords ...

The world's three famous swords

zhang 19/12/2018 0

Damascus sword Damascus sword which is made of Wootz steel originated from India in about 8th century AD. Wootz steel was an ultra-high carbon steel with 1-2% carbon and was used to fashion the Damascus blades with a watered steel pattern. Damascus sword is represented by ancient Persia, and Iran's ancient iron weapons are very famous. Wootz steel ...

The different tsuba parts

zhang 17/12/2018 0

鍔 (鐔) Tsuba glossary 当金 Ategane A metal plug placed inthe Kozuka or Kogai-ana. Also refered to as Ume ( 埋 ) 縮緬 Chirimen AA crape paper finish. 土手耳 Dote-mimi A rounded raised rim. 覆輪 Fukurin An outer rim cover on a tsuba, usually in Shakado, Gold or some other soft metal. 形 (型) Gata (Kata) This means Shape, Maru Gata is Round Shape. 平 Hir...