HIGHLANDER HANDMADE CLAY TEMPERED KATANA ( 1095 CARBON STEEL + FOLDED STEEL ) ( HONSANMAI BLADE )

( REPRODUCTION OF THE HIGHLANDER TV SERIES CLOSED MOUTH DRAGON HANDLE KATANA ) 

( KATANA IS BRAND NEW AND IN PERFECT CONDITION HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR CUTTING )

( BLADE GEOMETRY CONFIGURATION ) - ( HONSANMAI ) ALSO CALLED "SAN MAI" ROUGHLY TRANSLATED AS "THREE SLICES" IS A TECHNIQUE OF LAMINATING OR FOLDING THREE TYPES OF STEEL TOGETHER.

( IS THE BLADE CLAY TEMPERED ) - ( YES )

( DOES THIS BLADE HAVE A REAL HAMON FROM CLAY TEMPERING ) - ( YES ) 

( BLADE EDGE SHARPNESS ) - ( THE BLADE EDGE IS SHARP THE FULL LENGTH OF THE BLADE IT CAN BE USED FOR CUTTING BAMBOO ) THIS BLADE HAS BEEN HAND SHARPED AND HAND POLISHED USING THE TRADITIONAL JAPANESE METHOD WITH MULTIPLE GRADE SHARPENING WHETSTONES WHICH MAKE THE SURFACE OF THE BLADE LIKE A MIRROR. 

( DOES THIS BLADE HAVE A BO-HI OR FULLER ) - ( YES ) ( THIS KATANA BLADE HAS TWO BO-HI OR FULLERS OR BLOOD GROOVES ON EACH SIDE OF THE BLADE.

( TSUBA MATERIAL ) - ( BRASS ) - ( DRAGON THEME )

( HABAKI OR BLADE COLLAR ) - ( BRASS ) - ( LEOPARD SPOT THEME )

( SEPPA OR WASHER ) - ( BRASS )

( SAYA OR SCABBARD MATERIAL ) - ( HARDWOOD WITH RATTAN WRAPING AT TOP OF THE SAYA ) - (SAYA OR SCABBARD COLOR IS SPACKLED BLACK LACQUER ) RATTAN IS A LONG-STEMMED VINE PLANT THAT LOOKS A LITTLE LIKE BAMBOO.

( HANDLE MATERIAL ) - ( "REAL COW BONE MEAL" ) THE COW BONE MEAL WAS GROUND INTO A FINE POWDER THEN TURN INTO A LIQUID PASTE AND POURED INTO A MOLD OF THE KATANAS DRAGAN HANDLE AND ALLOWED TO HARDEN. IT HAS THE LOOK AND FEEL OF BONE BECAUSE IT IS BONE NOT CHEAP PLASTIC OR RESIN WHICH IS LIGHTER THAN BONE.

( SAGEO OR CORD MATERIAL ) - ( HIGH QUALITY BRAIDED THICK COTTON ) SAGEO OR CORD COLOR IS BLACK WITH WHITE DOTS TOTAL LENGTH IS 2.6 METERS OR 8 FEET 6 INCHES.

( KATANA OVERALL LENGTH ) - ( 42 INCHES OR 3 FEET 6 INCHES )

( BLADE LENGTH ) - ( 27 inches OR 2 FEET 3 INCHES ) 

( BLADE WEIGHT ) - ( 1.30 KILOGRAMS OR 2 POUNDS AND 13.9 OUNCES )

( BLADE SPINE THICKNESS ) - ( 7.1 MILLIMETER OR 71/254 INCHES )

( DOES THIS KATANA COME WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY ) - ( YES ) AND THE COA IS SIGNED MY THE RYAN SWORD BLADE SMITH.

( KATANA MANUFACTURER'S DATE ) - ( IT WAS FORDGED ON JUNE 2017 AT THE "SHEN GUANGLONG SWORD FACTORY" ) - ADDRESS IS NO. 88 GUANG TONG ROAD LONGQUAN, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE CHINA 323700 )

( WHAT IS HONSANMAI AND FOLDED STEEL AND CLAY TEMPERING )

The successful combination of lamination or folding technique and the differential heat treatment technique, along with the skill and experience to do the job properly, are the true art of making a masterpiece Katana. In this Katana the Ryan Sword blade smith has selected the Honsanmai lamination as the lamination technique and clay tempering as the differential heat treatment Tempering process.

This blade is laminated or folded using the Honsanmai (or simply "San Mai" roughly translated as "Three Slices") lamination process. San Mai involves laminating or folding 3 types of steel together to offer a hard brittle edge that is razor sharp and can keep the edge, but leave the rest of the blade more soft and durable and able to absorb impact and avoid shattering. The Hamon on this Katana is real. There are 2 Bo-Hi or blood grooves on each side of the blade for weight reduction.

The purpose of the clay tempering process is to further improve the sharpness of the edge and durability of the overall blade.

It involves smearing clay on the blade during heating and quenching to offer a uniform hardness to the blade and remove weak Points which can occur when the heating or quenching is less even. It also allows the blade smith, by placing clay thicker on Certain parts of the blade, to make the edge harder (thus more able to keep the famous razor sharp edge) and the rest of the blade less hard but able to absorb impact.

( WHAT IS 1095 STEEL ? )

1095 steel is high carbon steel under the 10XX family, and it is popular in knife and sword blades. As with other 10XX steels, the first two digits represent the primary components in its composition. In this case, 1 represents carbon, and 0 means no other central element in its composition.

The last two digits represent the carbon content which is 0.95%. The less than 1% carbon content makes 1095 high carbon steel and not tool steel. Generally, tool steels contain more than 1% carbon content. 1095 steel alloy mainly contains Carbon and Manganese.

In addition to carbon, the other element in 1095 blade steel is manganese making it basic steel. It has high hardness and recommendable wear resistance. AISI 1095 Carbon steel is sometimes referred to as spring steel and is often used for applications that involve constant stress.

For many years it was popular in making kitchen knives and old pocket knives. Today, knife makers use it for survival knives, Kukri Knives, and bushcraft knives, among other items, and it is loved because of its high machinability.

( 1095 STEEL - ELEMENT & PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION & FUNCTION )

Carbon C0.90%-1.03%Increases edge retention, hardness, and tensile strength. It also improves steel resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion.

Manganese Mn0.30%-0.50%Improves the strength and hardness of steel. When the steel is heat-treated, hardenability is improved with increased manganese.

Sulfur S0.05%Improves machinability but is regarded as an impurity in high quantities.

Phosphorus P0.03%Improves machinability and hardness, but is regarded as an impurity in high quantities.

( 1095 STEEL COMPOSITION & 1095 STEEL PROPERTIES )

1095 Steel Hardness

The Rockwell hardness of 1095 steel is 55-58 HRC. However, the hardness of this steel varies with manufacturers depending on the carbon used and 1095 steel heat treatment. With this hardness level, 1095 is categorized as hard steel and hence good wear resistance and edge retention.

1095 Wear Resistance

Always expect good wear retention from hard steels, and this is what we get from 1095. It might not be the best in wear resistance out there, but you can trust knives made from this steel for outstanding outdoor performance.

1095 Steel Edge Retention Does 1095 hold an edge?

Thanks to the carbon and manganese levels in 1095 steel, it can get a good edge and maintain it for a long. To improve the edge retention of 1095, knife makers are advised to take it through the proper heating process during the blade-making stage. Otherwise, blades that are not adequately heated become dull faster, and you will be required to sharpen your knives often.

1095 Corrosion Resistance

An important detail you should know is 1095 steel is not stainless steel, and hence it can rust easily. However, with proper care and maintenance, your knives can remain rust-free for as long as you have them.

Ensure to wash and wipe them dry after every use to protect them from rusting, another secret to keeping 1095 steel knives free from rusting is oiling them immediately after drying.

1095 Toughness

1095 is not as tough as other high-end steels, but it has a low to medium level of toughness for tough applications. A level of toughness that can withstand batoning is impressive. Do not be afraid to carry your 1095 knife for outdoor activities as it will not chip or break as long as it has undergone the recommended heating process.

1095 Sharpening

1095 steel shines in sharpness. The steel is easy to sharpen, even for blades that have been coated or heat-treated to increase hardness. Irrespective of the sharpening tool you are using, this steel can get a razor-sharp edge without much effort. If you are starting your journey in knife sharpening, 1095 knives should help you master the sharpening art quickly.

( ABOUT RYAN SWORD THE MAKER OF THIS KATANA )

Located in the southwestern part of Zhejiang Province in China is the picturesque countryside of Longquan. 

Aside from its beautiful, natural scenery, this region is also known for its prized celadon wares and sword products.

The history of sword-making in Longquan can be traced back to a few thousand years. Skilled swordsmiths and artisans of long ago forged blades of exceptional quality that eventually spread to other parts of China and even to other Asian countries like Japan and Korea.

Ryansword is a company that is proud to continue this treasured sword-making tradition. 

Our forge and workshops itself are located in Longquan were nature provide inspiration for the art of blade-making. 

Drawing from the knowledge and experience passed from renowned blademakers of old, we make excellent quality blades, not just Chinese swords but a wide variety of other blades as well, like katana and other Japanese blades, European swords and blades from movies and Anime. 

Blade collectors, aficionados, martial artists or just any blade lover can chose from our extensive catalog of sword models.

We also accept custom orders and just any other blade design to satisfy our customers' requests and needs. You can choose what fittings, color, sheath, handle and blade material you would want on your blade or you may send us a drawing with dimensions and description of your design.

You can find our products and our contact information at our website www.ryansword.com. 

We will cater to your requests and try our best to give you a blade that is worthy of the blade-making

legacy of Longquan.