| Of the most recognizable deadly weapons in the | | | | of combat. |
| world are samurai swords. For centuries these | | | | Samurai swords are typically made from a |
| swords have been an iconic symbol of Japan | | | | Japanese steel known as Tamahagane. The blade |
| despite their more recent fame from movies and | | | | is made by combining two different steels; a hard |
| other forms of entertainment. The most famous | | | | outer steel that is wrapped around a soft, inner |
| of all samurai swords is the Katana, which is a | | | | steel. This creates a blade with a hard, razor |
| long, curved sword only bladed on one side. These | | | | sharp edge for cutting and a core that is able to |
| swords were developed sometime in the 10th | | | | absorb shocks, reducing the probability that the |
| century and were used to carry out surprise | | | | blade will break or bend. |
| attacks on the enemy. The warriors would wear | | | | After the blade is made they are then decorated. |
| these swords on their belt with the bladed side | | | | Although most blades are decorated, not all are |
| facing upwards. | | | | decorated in a place where it can be seen. The |
| Two other popular samurai swords are the | | | | file markings are important on samurai swords, |
| Wakizashi, which was a shorter sword, and the | | | | which are markings that are cut onto a bit of the |
| Tanto. These two swords were only allowed to | | | | blade that is intended to be covered up later. This |
| be carried in a pair by the samurai warriors and | | | | is done to assess the aging of the steel. |
| no one else. | | | | There are many companies that make replica |
| After World War II, the United States had banned | | | | samurai swords that are for sale for display only. |
| the production of any samurai swords. This was | | | | You can find these sellers online, at flea markets |
| only to be soon overturned, but only under the | | | | and in many magazines. These swords are usually |
| condition that they were to be made and owned | | | | made with a great deal of decoration on them in |
| for artistic value only. Since many of the | | | | order to make them very appealing to the eye. If |
| American soldiers were secretly sold authentic | | | | you want to get your hands on an authentic |
| samurai swords, you are able still able to find | | | | samurai sword, though, don't get your hopes up. |
| them in the United States. It is believed that at a | | | | There is rumor, however, that you can find |
| time it seemed that there were more Japanese | | | | craftsmen in Japan who still make these swords |
| samurai swords in America than in Japan. Many of | | | | as weapons; you just have to know where to |
| the samurai swords that you will find today are | | | | look and who to ask. |
| for display only and not to be used for any kind | | | | |