Iron Tiger Forge Heron Straight Blade Katana
In stock
Price range: $199.99 through $229.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- T10 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 39 7/8''
- Weight
- 2 lb 4.7 oz
- Brand
- Iron Tiger Forge
- Culture
- Japanese
Overview
Iron Tiger Forge Heron Straight Blade Katana
An embodiment of supreme patience, the Heron inspired samurai with its ability to stand perfectly still, as if in deep meditation. For this it is also a Buddhist meditation symbol. This katana is likewise embellished with the Heron on its handmade brass tsuba and fittings. The blade is of clay-tempered T-10 carbon steel.
The wooden tsuka grip is wrapped in rayskin with woven black tsuka-ito cord wrapped tightly over. Two plant menuki lie within the wrapping. The blade is pegged into the hilt with bamboo mekugi, allowing for disassembly and customization if desired. The wooden saya scabbard is black lacquered with a purple woven sageo. Golden cherry blossoms, representing the fall of the samurai at his height, embellish the saya. The sword comes in a red and black cloth covered gift box with a wood-boxed cleaning kit and a black cloth sword bag
This katana was made in Longquan, China a region central to sword production during the Song Dynasty.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Iron Tiger Forge
- Culture
- Japanese
- Pommel
- N/A
- Overall Length
- 39 7/8''
- Blade Length
- 27 1/4''
- Blade
- T10 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 4.7 oz
- Edge
- Very Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 4 5/8''
- Thickness
- 6.8 mm - 4.6 mm
- Width
- 31.1 mm
- Grip Length
- 10 3/4''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
- Type
- Katana
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What steel and heat treatment does the blade use? Common Question
T10 high carbon steel, clay tempered.
Q How does it handle and where is the balance point? Common Question
It has a straight katana blade with a point of balance about 4 5/8 inches from the guard, offering quick, lively handling.
Q Is it battle ready and sharp out of the box? Common Question
Yes, it is listed as battle ready and ships very sharp.
Q Can the sword be disassembled for maintenance or customization? Common Question
Yes. The blade is secured with bamboo mekugi pins and can be disassembled.
Q What are the grip and scabbard materials and details? Common Question
Wooden tsuka wrapped in rayskin with tight black tsuka-ito; black lacquered wooden saya with purple sageo and gold cherry blossom accents.
Q What motifs are on the fittings? Common Question
Heron-themed handmade brass tsuba and fittings; plant menuki under the wrap; cherry blossoms on the saya.
Q Where is it manufactured? Common Question
Longquan, China.
Q What are the key dimensions and weight? Common Question
Overall length 39 7/8 inches; blade length 27 1/4 inches; width 31.1 mm; thickness 6.8 mm tapering to 4.6 mm; weight 2 lb 4.7 oz; grip length 10 3/4 inches.
Q What comes with the sword? Common Question
A red-and-black cloth-covered gift box, a wood-boxed cleaning kit, and a black cloth sword bag.
Q Any care tips? Common Question
Keep the high-carbon blade clean and lightly oiled after handling; store in the saya dry; periodically check and tighten the tsuka-ito and mekugi.
The Maker
Iron Tiger Forge
A Kult of Athena developed line, Iron Tiger Forge focuses on high quality Chinese swords and Martial Arts weapons. By working directly with the factory we are able to provide these products at unheard of prices for the level of quality and materials.
Often paired together
Very good quality. The blade is well made and seems to be properly heat treated. Flexes well and holds a good edge. Comes very well polished and sharp. The hilt is tight and snug, as well as the guard. Fits into the scabbard tightly as well. Everything comes in a cool decorative box with a maintenance kit. Nothing about this sword feels or handles cheap. I’d expect a sword like this to sell for a lot more. I had the opportunity to handle some of their other products, and their quality is just as good. If I’m ever in the mood for a Japanese style sword again, I’ll be looking at swords made by this company.
I just received this beautiful Katana today, the balance in this Katana is excellent !! And everything else in this Katana , especially the quality is first class, you can not beat the price , thank you Kult of Athena.
Elias
Excellent Katana, very hard steel, beautiful patina, very good balance, very sharp, and I didn’t see any scratches , after when I did cut some thick plastic bottles. ( this is my second review , about this sword, I don’t know if they received the first one) sorry about that.
Elias
I really love this sword. To me, it seems, it’s a Chinese copy of a Japanese copy of an earlier Chinese ‘ Dao ‘ type of sword. It even handles like it, the balance is remarkable , the sword really wants to dance in your hands with fluid motion, It becomes very easy to be one with the Tao with this in your hands. The blade does blade things very well, the cutting parts cut, the stabbing bit stabs, and it’s everything I’d expect out of a T10 clay tempered sword.
My particular example came with some minor detractors, though. The blade collar has a tiny bit of play, the hilt wrapping is a teeny bit loose, and the scabbard to blade collar fit is not very snug ( i’ve since remedied that with a wooden shim, though. ) The transport box, while nice, mainly sits with the others in my closet.
Concluding this review, I’d make a proposal on how to improve this particular model: Scrap the whole idea that this is an ‘uchigatana’, and dress the sword in 9th century or so inspired ‘ Tachi ‘ or ‘ chokuto ‘ koshirae. The market for early Japanese weaponry is surprisingly slim, and I feel this blade, if dressed right, would really fit the bill.
Absolutely beautiful work on this blade! I am really impressed with how well crafted it is, and I really like how well balanced it seems to be.
The hilt is a slight bit more narrow than the katana I own, which is nice as allows a better one handed grip than on the katana.
The travel box is a nice addition, although I doubt that I will ever use it much.