How Do You Find A Good Katana Sword?
The right katana for Iaido or Kenjutsu practice can have a tremendous impact on the development and growth of a sword artist. While the online marketplace seems increasingly saturated with swords of a mass-produced and inferior quality, there remain a handful of swordsmiths who continue the ancient tradition of handcrafting their “daitos.” Though generally more expensive and demanding in regards to cleaning and general maintenance, a top-quality katana can be a great treasure for the serious sword artist. Check your local martial arts or military surplus store (flea market stalls can also sometimes stock the rare quality katana). Examine the quality of the blade and handle of each sword. Determine whether the “tsuka” or handle is made with plastic or resin, and observe how many metal pins are used to fasten the handle to the blade tang. Study the temper line of the sword blade: avoid any sword that seems mass-produced, uses plastic for construction or has “440 stainless steel” inscribe
