Performance Series Katana – Raimie XL Katana by Paul Chen / Hanwei

As storm clouds gather and your hand grips the tsuka of the Raimie XL Katana, you channel your focus, stepping forward with a single, fluid motion. The blade slices through the air, delivering a thunderous strike that cleaves your target with precision. Crafted by CAS Hanwei, the Raimie XL Katana represents the pinnacle of heavy-cutting katana design, blending tradition with modern innovation all purpose-designed for powerful, heavy cutting performance. A large katana with a wide blade and a lot of presence, the Raimie XL cannot be ignored and it will cut and sever tatami and bamboo over and again with ease.

The Raimie XL Katana is part of CAS Hanwei’s Performance Series, the industry benchmark for cutting katana since the mid-2000s. Designed for practitioners, this updated series continues to dominate the market, widely imitated but unmatched in authenticity and performance. With four decades of expertise, CAS Hanwei ensures every sword embodies precision and reliability.

Joining the well-established lineage of the Practical XL and Practical Plus XL, the Raimie XL Katana upholds the renowned geometry of the XL Series. The blade is forged from robust and reliable 1566 high carbon steel which is tempered at its edge to a hard 60 HRc and a shock-absorbing 40 HRc at its spine. Its aesthetic is inspired by billowing clouds and the raimie (thunderclap), reflected in intricate details from fuchi to kashira. The double-pegged, fully removable tsuka features a wooden core wrapped in synthetic components, ensuring affordability without compromising quality. The silver habaki, menuki, and seppa contrast strikingly against the black tsuka-ito and white faux same (rayskin), creating a bold visual harmony. The textured black saya resists fingerprints and smudges, offering practical handling compared to traditional lacquered finishes.