| Every wonder why so many people collect Samurai | | | | charcoal powder onto the blade. The spine is given a |
| swords? Is it the unique beauty that is entrenched | | | | thicker coat than the edge, which helps to shape the |
| within every beautiful blade? Or perhaps the | | | | blade in the next step. The blade is then placed back |
| mysterious soldiers that wielded this mighty weapon, | | | | into the furnace to be heated to around 1,500°F |
| conquering enemy after enemy? I like to think it's the | | | | 4. Shaping the blade. The next part of the process has |
| craftsmanship that went into the forging of this | | | | been depicted in many movies through the years. The |
| legendary weapon which help fuel both the Samurai's | | | | blade is pulled from the fire and plunged into a bucket |
| numerous victories and the mystery that surrounds this | | | | of water, or sometimes oil. This rapid cool-down |
| masterpiece of metal work. Let's examine what it | | | | process is called "quenching". Because of the different |
| takes to make Samuri swords. | | | | thickness of coating applied to the blade, the blade can |
| The Samuri sword is a katana sword, which is a | | | | be bent, creating the unique curves associated with a |
| general term for single-edged sword. Most bladed | | | | Samuri sword. |
| weapons were designed to be either a piercing or | | | | 5. Sharpening and Polishing the sword. Just as you |
| slashing weapon. The Samuri swords were designed | | | | would expect, great care is taken to produce a highly |
| to do both. | | | | polished and sharpened weapon. The skilled craftsmen |
| The mystic surrounding the making of Samuri swords | | | | may take up to two or more weeks honing the |
| is not so mysterious once you know the secrets of | | | | swords razor-sharp edge. There are no shortcuts |
| this age old art. There are basically 9 steps to making | | | | taken here. The sword maker will rub the blade with a |
| quality Samuri swords. | | | | series of grinding and polishing stones until the desired |
| | | | effects are produced. |
| 1. The first step is to gather the necessary materials to | | | | 6. Adding the final piece to the blade. After the blade is |
| begin the construction of the mighty blade of the | | | | almost finished then the sword makers can add a |
| Samuri sword. The blade is made up of two different | | | | decorative guard of either iron or other metals at the |
| types of high-carbon steel, one slightly softer than the | | | | swords hilt. |
| other. These two pieces are then pounded together, | | | | 7. Now the handle is made. The handle is made out of |
| and then folded over each other until one piece finally | | | | two halves of wood. They are wrapped in leather or |
| emerges. | | | | some other material, then wrapped with silk or cotton |
| 2. The steel is then smelted. Traditionally the steel is | | | | cord into the desired grip pattern. |
| smelted over a period of three days and three nights. | | | | 8. The sword is then assembled and ready to meet |
| One key ingredient to this process is the temperatures | | | | with final inspection to see if it can pass the rigorous |
| needed to smelt the blade needs to up to 2,500°F. | | | | test needed to be called a Samuri sword. |
| The steel is continuously pounded and heated until it | | | | 9. The final step is the making of the scabbard which is |
| becomes long and thin. This process produces a | | | | made by combining two halves of wood fixed |
| laminated effect of thousands of layers, strengthening | | | | together and then liquored or painted. As you can see, |
| the blade and making it flexible at the same time. | | | | much love, care, skill, patience and attention is given to |
| 3. Coating the blade. After the pounding is complete | | | | the creation of building Samuri swords. |
| the metal is coated with a thick mixture of clay and | | | | |