| When it comes to Samurai Swords, there is | | | | blades. When choosing?Japanese Swords?there |
| quite a bit of terminology for the new | | | | are basically 3 different styles to consider, |
| collector to understand. But we want to make | | | | the katana sword, the Wakizashi sword and the |
| it easy for anyone to find a good quality | | | | Tanto sword. The Japanese Katana Sword is the |
| samurai sword that will last a lifetime, no | | | | most popular among collectors and martial |
| matter if | | | | arts students alike. The katana sword was the |
| you’re | | | | first and is still the most popular of all |
| looking for one of the very sought after Paul | | | | samurai swords. The blade is typically |
| Chen Katana swords for battle or just a | | | | 29†long with an |
| quality sword to hang over the mantle. The | | | | overall length around |
| first thing to consider for your new samurai | | | | 40†The |
| sword is the type and quality of the blade. | | | | Wakizashi sword is the shorter companion |
| If you’re | | | | blade of the katana sword. We first see the |
| looking for a you want to be sure and choose | | | | Wakizashi sword during the Muromachi period |
| a full tang blade, which all of our authentic | | | | (1568-1603). The Wakizashi was about |
| samurai swords feature as well as all of our | | | | 18†long and |
| battle ready swords. The term | | | | only allowed to be carried by a samurai. |
| â€Å"full | | | | Carrying both the katana and the Wakizashi |
| tang†means that | | | | was popular for the next few hundred years. |
| the blade and the part of the sword under the | | | | The smallest samurai sword would be the tanto |
| Tsuka (handle) is one long piece of steel. If | | | | sword or dagger. Originally tanto swords were |
| you get a sword that is not full tang then | | | | 12†in length or |
| you’re | | | | less but |
| basically buying it to hang on the wall and | | | | it’s not out |
| nothing more. The next thing to consider when | | | | of the ordinary to come across a Tanto that |
| choosing a sword is the type of steel that | | | | is 15†long. |
| the blade is made of. There are basically 3 | | | | Samurai sword collecting is a very popular |
| types of steel, 420 J2 (Stainless steel), | | | | past time for many Americans. Something that |
| High Carbon, and Folded steel. If you are | | | | is becoming even more popular is martial arts |
| looking for a battle ready sword | | | | that make use of samurai sword for fighting |
| you’ll want | | | | and cutting exercises. The most popular and |
| to stay away from the 420 J2 Stainless. High | | | | affordable authentic samurai swords are the |
| carbon steel is very high quality steel; | | | | Paul Chen Swords. You can find decent Paul |
| however folded steel is the strongest. | | | | Chen Practical Katana Swords?for under $200. |
| Actually | | | | However for less than a hundred more you can |
| it’s not | | | | get yourself a Paul Chen Practical Plus |
| that the folded steel is a different type of | | | | Katana. If |
| steel, but how the blade is forged. A folded | | | | you’re |
| steel blade is typically made from high | | | | looking for something a little more pricy the |
| carbon steel. The difference is that a folded | | | | Paul Chen Bushido Katana or the Orchid Katana |
| steel blade is just like it says; the steel | | | | will last a lifetime and can take quite a |
| is folded over and over again until the smith | | | | beating. The Orchid and Bushido also come in |
| believes that it is adequate. Some people say | | | | a Wakizashi and Tanto. In conclusion, the |
| that a good high carbon steel blade can be | | | | most important thing when buying your sword |
| just as strong as a folded steel blade. The | | | | is that you know what kind of blade you're |
| smiths for the Thaitsuki Nihonto Swords claim | | | | getting. If you want a functional sword be |
| to have mastered a form of forging high | | | | sure that you're not getting one that's only |
| carbon steel blades that is just as strong if | | | | made to hang on the wall. |
| not stronger than many of the folded steel | | | | |