LK Chen – Tatsu Katana – Blemished Grade

The blade of the Tatsu (the Japanese dragon) Katana by LK Chen is inspired by a 14th Century blade forged by master swordmaker Shizu Saburō Kaneuji, the founder of the famous Mino-Den school of sword making. The Tatsu Katana is a solid combat weapon with the same curvature, width, thickness, subtle distal and profile taper and Bohi of the original sword used as a reference. This careful attention to historical details, dimensions and blade geometry has created a Katana with a more lively and responsive balance than most! Even the tsuba is a 1:1 replica of a fine Edo period original which features the Tatsu dragon on one side and roiling waves upon the other.

The blade is forged from tough T10 high carbon steel which was expertly differentially-tempered to possess a hardened steel edge with a genuine hamon. A careful and quality final polish to the blade brings out the natural beauty of the wave-like hamon line. This traditional clay tempered treatment gives the edge a 56 HRc hardness and a 40-45 HRc hardness for the rest of the blade. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira hilt components are crafted from fine and robust iron, with the other components (habaki, seppa and menuki) are of brass. The tsuka grip is crafted from hardwood and is fitted with genuine rayskin which is bound in knotted ito cord. Included with the sword is a black lacquered saya scabbard with a matching knotted black sageo cord.