| When it comes to samurai swords, there is quite | | | | most popular of all samurai swords. The blade is |
| a bit of terminology for the new collector to | | | | typically 29" long with an overall length around 40" |
| understand. But we want to make it easy for | | | | The Wakizashi sword is the shorter companion |
| anyone to find a good quality samurai sword that | | | | blade of the katana sword. We first see the |
| will last a lifetime, no matter if you're looking for | | | | Wakizashi sword during the Muromachi period |
| one of the very sought after Paul Chen Katana | | | | (1568-1603). The Wakizashi was about 18" long |
| swords for battle or just a quality sword to hang | | | | and only allowed to be carried by a samurai. |
| over the mantle. | | | | Carrying both the katana and the Wakizashi was |
| The first thing to consider for your new samurai | | | | popular for the next few hundred years. |
| sword is the type and quality of the blade. If | | | | The smallest samurai sword would be the tanto |
| you're looking for a you want to be sure and | | | | sword or dagger. Originally tanto swords were 12" |
| choose a full tang blade, which all of our authentic | | | | in length or less but it's not out of the ordinary to |
| samurai swords feature as well as all of our battle | | | | come across a Tanto that is 15" long. |
| ready swords. The term "full tang" means that | | | | Samurai sword collecting is a very popular past |
| the blade and the part of the sword under the | | | | time for many Americans. Something that is |
| Tsuka (handle) is one long piece of steel. If you | | | | becoming even more popular is martial arts that |
| get a sword that is not full tang then you're | | | | make use of samurai sword for fighting and |
| basically buying it to hang on the wall and nothing | | | | cutting exercises. The most popular and |
| more. | | | | affordable authentic samurai swords are the Paul |
| The next thing to consider when choosing a | | | | Chen Swords. You can find a decent Paul Chen |
| sword is the type of steel that the blade is made | | | | Practical Katana Sword for under $200. However |
| of. There are basically 3 types of steel, 420 J2 | | | | for less than a hundred more you can get |
| (Stainless steel), High Carbon, and Folded steel. If | | | | yourself a Paul Chen Practical Plus Katana. If |
| you are looking for a battle ready sword you'll | | | | you're looking for something a little more pricy the |
| want to stay away from the 420 J2 Stainless. | | | | Paul Chen Bushido Katana or the Orchid Katana |
| High carbon steel is very high quality steel; | | | | will last a lifetime and can take quite a beating. |
| however folded steel is the strongest. Actually it's | | | | The Orchid and Bushido also come in a Wakizashi |
| not that the folded steel is a different type of | | | | and Tanto. |
| steel, but how the blade is forged. | | | | In conclusion, the most important thing when |
| A folded steel blade is typically made from high | | | | buying your sword is that you know what kind of |
| carbon steel. The difference is that a folded steel | | | | blade you're getting. If you want a functional |
| blade is just like it says; the steel is folded over | | | | sword be sure that you're not getting one that's |
| and over again until the smith believes that it is | | | | only made to hang on the wall. If it's not clearly |
| adequate. | | | | stated on the page for the sword, don't hesitate |
| Some people say that a good high carbon steel | | | | to contact the store to ask any questions you |
| blade can be just as strong as a folded steel | | | | might have. |
| blade. The smiths for the Thaitsuki Nihonto | | | | At Japanese Swords 4 Samurai we have a |
| Swords claim to have mastered a form of | | | | samurai sword expert waiting to answer any |
| forging high carbon steel blades that is just as | | | | questions you might have. |
| strong if not stronger than many of the folded | | | | Want to own a real Japanese Samurai Sword |
| steel blades. | | | | come and check out our store. |
| When choosing a sword samurai sword there are | | | | You can find us online at |
| basically 3 different styles to consider, the katana | | | | At Japanese Swords 4 Samurai we have a |
| sword, the Wakizashi sword and the Tanto | | | | samurai sword expert waiting to answer any |
| sword. The Japanese Katana Sword is the most | | | | questions you might have. |
| popular among collectors and martial arts students | | | | Want to own a real Japanese Samurai Sword |
| alike. | | | | come and check out our store. |
| The katana sword was the first and is still the | | | | |