What Should You Know About the Best Katana Swords? Swords made in Japan using traditional techniques are collectively referred to as Katana. It is one of the most well-known and famous swords on the entire globe. Many of them are widely valued as works of art due to their gorgeous shape, which has symbolic importance in addition to their function as a weapon since ancient times. These Japanese samurai swords were famed for their expertly crafted single, razor-sharp cutting edge and sturdy but flexible curved steel blades. The Samurai's sword was allegedly his soul, according to legend. So, what should you know about Katanas? The Forging Process A traditional Katana is constructed of tamahagane, high-carbon steel produced by smelting iron sand, a kind of Japanese iron ore, in a massive furnace known as a Tatara. The tempering process, during which the blade is quench-hardened, is the most crucial step in forging. It is divided into little pieces by the smith, who then layers the steel in layers based on the carbon concentration. Additionally, they melt down this in their forge and fold the steel several times to homogenize it. The swordmakers formerly believed that the process transferred the blade's spirit into the Katana at this juncture. The smith may occasionally give the sword a rough polish before sending it to a competent polisher for finishing (usually to a mirror finish). The sword was ready for fitting after polishing. Today, carbon steel of various grades is mainly ideal for making Katanas. Swords of zinc and aluminum alloys that can withstand specific external stresses, on the other hand, are exclusively used for ornamentation or non-tameshigiri exercise. A Katana's resistance (how much it bends when struck), elasticity (how quickly it returns to its original shape), and durability (how long the blade lasts after hitting) are all top indicators of its quality.