What Kind of Materials are Used to Make Samurai Swords?
A variety of materials are used to make samurai swords, including, but not limited to, the following: • A particular type of iron ore (black sand called satetsu) • Charcoal (a contributor of carbon) • A furnace for heating • A forge for forging (or, as done in earlier times, a blacksmith and two apprentices) • A second, lower carbon steel (shingane) • Stones for polishing (sandstone) • Various tools, such as hammers, etc
