Custom-Made Hand Forged Samurai Sword Japanese Katana

Your custom-made katana begins its life in the famed swordsmithing town of Longquan located in the remote, green mountains of Qinxi. The art of blade making has continued, unabated, for over 2,600 years near the cold, shining waters of the Ou River. Your sword's exact crafting methods are entirely up to you, and will depend on your selections. No matter what your preferences are, you can expect the swordsmith who creates your sword to pay the utmost attention to every detail — from the blade length and material to sharpening and engraving.

Your Sword Options

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For your custom katana, there are several options in each category including:

• Blade Length

• Blade Material

• Tsuba: Select from over a hundred unique blade guard designs

• Ito Color: Choose from silk or leather handle wrapping in a variety of hues

• Hamon Type: Explore several temper line styles

• Signature Engraving

• Fittings

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You may also request customization for your Japanese katana sword beyond what is listed, including blade color (natural, black, red, blue), a straight ninjato style blade, blade geometry, battle wrap, rayskin wrapped saya, saya inscription, and more.

How to Place Your Order

1. Select your preferred options from the dropdown/checkboxes

2. Click 'Add to Sword Bag'

3. Write us a note if you have any additional requests

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Custom Sword Creation Process and Timeline

Your katana is powerfully real and custom made by masters of the craft using traditional hand forging methods. As such, the process usually takes 2-3 weeks. Sword prices start at $189.99 with free shipping for a 1060 high carbon steel katana and can vary widely depending on the options selected. 

We encourage you to explore our site for ideas on the style and details of your sword. If you have any questions, please contact our dedicated customer support team through email (sales@swordsofnorthshire.com), or call us toll-free at 1-844-NIHONTO (1-844-644-6686).

Japanese Katana Sword Glossary

Recent Testimonials

Jamie E 

 

I requested a spring steel blade with no bo-hi, dyed red. I LOVE IT! The blade is perfect. No wavy lines and straight as an arrow. It has great balance for a katana. You can feel the power in it. I wanted it sharpened for heavy cutting and it is much sharper than I expected, especially the tip. The handle is not too big and it feels great. The sword fits the Saya perfect, right out of the box. The red etching on the blade looks awesome. It does not reflect much light at all, but you can see a reflection in it when you look closely. I was looking all over the place for a good katana, but I couldn't find one that I actually liked everything about it. What a find with Swords of the Northshire! I would definitely buy more swords from them. Thanks

Paul S. Marshall 

 

I have purchased 2 Swords from Swords of Northshire. One a custom Katana. The Katana was a beautiful piece of functional art. An amazing piece. I also purchased a Wakizashi. There were some minor imperfections in the edge geometry. Northshire paid the return shipping and replaced the entire blade at their expense. I highly recommend them to anyone considering the purchase of a Japanese sword or any other product they supply. I have already picked out a third sword which I intend to purchase in the near future. Thank you again.

Kyler   

 

I collect all kinds of swords, and I can honestly say the one I just got from swords of northshire is my favorite and one of the best quality blades I've ever gotten thank you so much!

Beau Tarlton 

 

I was looking at getting my wife a Katana for Christmas and all of the reviews online said Swords of Northshire was the place to go. I wasn't disappointed, the customer service was outstanding (Bryce Ronquille) and the level of detail available was amazing. The sword came excellently packed and in very short amount of time. Bryce kept us informed of the progress along the way and provided pictures before shipping of the final product, which was nothing less than a work of art. The workmanship in the sword was amazing, extremely well built and detailed. I cannot wait to add more of these to my collection.

Pawel Jackowski   

 

I'm very pleased with my custom katana. The blade is smooth and the polish shows the folding and hamon exceptionally well. It's lighter than what I'm used to. I own a number of Cheness and Hanwei blades and this one is by far the most maneuverable and well balanced. It slices through small dowels, PVC pipe and bamboo like through butter. After some 20 hours of use it shows no significant scratches and is as sharp as new. The fittings are all tight and the ito has not moved an inch, which is a common problem with many of my other swords. The habaki is nicely fitted to the blade as opposed to the blade being filed to fit. The saya is a little loose which sometimes causes the blade to cut into the wood while re-sheathing but this is a common problem with many katana and easily solved with proper technique. Although I've not measured, it seems like the Sakihaba and Monouchi is a little thicker than the rest of the blade which makes it nice for cutting. The customer service was exceptional and delivery was fast. I will certainly recommend these blades to others.

Adam Deane   

 

Terrific katana. Being able to customize the design to such a degree - including the kind of steel used in the blade - is awesome. I feel like this is MY katana. The quality of work and parts are excellent. I look forward to using it in training.(It's definitely a REAL sword.)

Benjamin on 05/17/2018

( 5 / 5 )

a:2:{s:7:"content";s:1132:"Swords of Northshire is the best option for a beginner who wants to buy a strong, sturdy blade that can hold up to some use, but is still beautiful enough to use as a piece in a collection. The customer service is AMAZING, I got an answer to emails in less than 24 hours, and the level of customization can satisfy anyones wishes. When I ordered my custom katana I asked how I could get a different color of ito than the ones listed as options, and if I could have the engraving to be on the opposite side of the blade than the standard. All I had to do was put my requests in the comments section during checkout and they did it. It is also worth mentioning that on the handle everything is very tight and secure, I can\'t move the ito wrap AT ALL.\r\n\r\nAgain, blown away by customer service and the quality of the blade, this is exactly the sword I wanted, and it is more than worth the money. I would like to point out that I am a very skeptical buyer and took about two weeks before \r\nI finally decided to buy the sword, so for all you skeptical buyers out there, THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT! Thank you again Swords of Northshire.";s:6:"images";a:3:{i:0;s:55:"data/review/1e724102296dc9af74782e6ce9139657DSC7014.jpg";i:1;s:55:"data/review/3b268f7704f811d799084881ee52123dDSC7016.jpg";i:2;s:55:"data/review/9cca8cc890eab5c95c98944a72cfb08cDSC7021.jpg";}}

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Kristina Nagy on 07/31/2017

( 5 / 5 )

Sword is gorgeous. Exactly what I envisioned and had in mind. Also, love the fact if you want further customization you can email and don't have to wait for days for a response. You get one swiftly. And, the fact that I was emailed pictures of the sword is definitely a plus. Loved my sword when I saw the pictures and fell in love when I got to hold my sword in my hands. Couldn't ask for a better customization. I will definitely and actually have already recommended this company to others. Will definitely be purchasing more from here.

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Alexander Smith on 11/11/2017

( 5 / 5 )

I had a spring steel wakizashi made using this service, it proved to be a reliable blade and I definitely will be ordering from swords of northshire again.

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Simon on 07/29/2017

( 5 / 5 )

Great craftsmanship and phenomenal customer service. They were extremely easy to work with and very professional. The sword arrived quickly. Beautiful work of art that is also razor sharp.

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R. Newton on 08/22/2017

( 5 / 5 )

I have now purchased 2 swords from Swords of Northshire and I have only praise for the company & the product. Customer service was amazing as my saya was damaged in shipping and without hesitation the folks at Swords of Northshire replaced it quickly. I have done some cutting tests with my beautiful gyaku kobuse blade and its nothing short of spectacular. I would recommend anyone looking for a high quality, functional, beautiful samurai sword that they go with Swords of Northshire. Amazing craftsmanship and quality for a reasonable price.

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• Are your swords full tang/functional?

  Yes, every sword on our website is full tang and functional. The full width of the blade extends into the handle and is secured with two bamboo mekugi pegs. Even our most affordable swords (1060 high carbon steel) when sharpened are very capable, and can cut through traditional tatami mats easily. 1060 steel is a great compromise between hardness and durability and is the best option for light to medium cutting and iaido forms.
  
  For heavier cutting such as thick bamboo and bone, we suggest to select one of our 1095 steel blades. It’s high hardness and excellent edge retention make it the best option for heavy duty cutting. We offer mono-tempered 1095 blades (same hardness throughout), or clay tempered blades (differentially hardened) to give the blade the dual benefit of a very hard/sharp cutting edge, and a softer, flexible spine for added shock absorption.

• How are your swords constructed?

  Our swords are constructed with traditional Japanese methods and can be fully disassembled for maintenance. The carved handle and scabbard are made of hardwood from a tree species local to Longquan called DU tree, it’s hard and durable and not prone to issues like splitting. The handles are wrapped with genuine rayskin, and the handle and tang are drilled with two holes (mekugi-ana) which will be used to secure the blade into the handle with tapered bamboo mekugi pegs.
  
  The handle is wrapped tightly with silk or genuine leather ito by an expert of the craft. The sword can be disassembled by hammering out the two mekugi pegs and pulling the handle and fittings from the blade. Every sword is fitted very tightly and securely with the highest safety standards. When the sword is shaken, you will not hear any rattling of fittings. It can even take considerable strength to disassemble the sword because of how secure the fitting is.

• Are there any issues shipping to my country?

  We can ship to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia with no customs issues. Hand forged swords are perfectly fine to possess in these countries. We’ve shipped to each hundreds of times before.
  
  We can also ship to the following countries: The Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Austria, Belgium, Finland, South Africa, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Philippines, Laos, Brazil, Cuba, Panama, Argentina, Greenland Island, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Pakistan, Niger, Nigeria, Qatar, Melta, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, Bela Rus, Cayman Islands, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia, and Taiwan.
  
  For other countries, we can consider using a package forwarding service. Please contact us for more information.

• How are engravings done?

  Custom Engravings are laser engraved on the blade near the handle.
  
  English engravings are done in a very nice cursive font, except if it’s in all caps we'll use serif. We’ll hand pick a font that looks best for your engraving.
  
  Japanese/Chinese engravings are done in a beautiful stylized calligraphic Kanji. When picking a Kanji engraving option feel free to write it in English in the engraving box, and we’ll translate it to Kanji for you. The smith's name on blade option is done in Kanji by default

• How long does shipping take?

  Shipping usually takes around 7-10 days to most countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. In some cases bad weather and also the pre-Christmas rush can delay shipping around 1-2 weeks. We’ll provide a tracking number when your sword ships that you’ll be able to track with both EMS and your national post office.

• How long will it take to make my sword?

  Most swords are finished within 2-3 weeks. We’ll send pictures of your sword by email for confirmation (Please whitelist sales@swordsofnorthshire.com to make sure you get our email). We have semi-finished blades ready for the most common blade designs that can be polished and assembled as needed. Tanto and wakizashi swords usually take around a week longer to make since they are not as commonly ordered. Very customized swords such as blades with custom length and custom painted scabbards will take closer to 4-5 weeks.

• How are the packages shipped?

  Our swords are shipped very securely in form-fitted styrofoam that matches the shape of the sword so it won’t have any room to rattle around, even when abused by post office workers. The foam encasing is wrapped tightly with plenty of packing tape which keeps it waterproof. The package can be opened by cutting down the middle of the thin side.

• How much does shipping cost?

  We offer 100% free world-wide shipping!

• Can I customize this sword?

  Yes, you can customize every sword on our website. Even if you’re not happy with the existing options available to you, you can request just about any change you could think of. We can change most fittings, wrappings, and blade coloring (black, red, or blue) for free, these kinds of requests can be made in the order comments section during checkout. If what you need done is more complex and might cost extra, please contact us with your request. If you make a request in the comments section when ordering your sword and it happens to cost extra we’ll kindly follow-up and explain the cost difference and send an invoice for the cost if you’re happy with it.

• Where are your swords made?

  Our swords are made in Longquan, a small town in China with a swordmaking history that goes back 2,600 years since the Spring & Autumn period. The legacy of the Longquan sword began when the legendary swordsmith Ou Yezi 歐冶子 forged a sword named Longyuan at the foot of Qingxi Mountain, an area with abundant iron ore, cold springs for quenching, and fine stones for polishing blades. The methods of traditional forging and hand crafting were passed down and improved from generation to generation, and still today Longquan is famous locally and abroad for the quality of their swords. We work directly with the most trusted swordsmiths and craftsmen in Longquan to bring you the highest quality, fully functional swords at an affordable price. Each sword comes with a certificate of authenticity from the smith.
  
  Why not Japan?
  Sharpened steel swords made in Japan, called Shinken, are considered a national treasure and there are strict laws governing sword production. Each sword must be made in the old traditional process and using the traditional blade material (tamahagane) which takes months including smelting, forging, and polishing. Also each smith is only permitted to make a small number of swords each year. Because of these restrictions, real swords made in Japan are a rare and valuable commodity. Most Shinken cost over $10,000. Swords in Longquan are also considered a national intangible cultural heritage, but smiths are not bound by the same restrictions, so they are free to combine modern and traditional methods and materials to create some of the highest quality, fully functional swords in the world at affordable prices.

• How is the steel made?

  Each sword begins with a bar of high quality carbon steel. If the sword should be folded, the master smith heats the steel in a coal furnace until it is red hot and then hammers the steel flat, chisels a cut into the center, and folds the steel on top of itself around 12-13 times (4,096-8,192 layers). Any more is unnecessary and would cause too much carbon to be lost in the process. The fold cuts are alternated cross-wise and length-wise to achieve a unique grain pattern (hada) on the blade.
  
  The blade is repeatedly heated-treated in the process of shaping to keep the steel malleable while the smith hammers the steel into the rough desired shape of the blade. It’s crucial at this stage to minimize the number of times the blade is heated up; the smith must move at a very fast pace to prevent any more carbon on the surface from dissipating. Once the blade is shaped, the smith then begins the finishing process. First he does a rough filing, and then the blade is grinded with a whetstone to achieve the desired blade geometry.
  
  This is where the forging process will differ depending on the type of sword. If the blade is mono-tempered (through hardened) like all of our 1060 steel swords, the blade will be re-heated (tempered) and then quenched in oil. This cools the blade quickly, giving it the desired hardness and durability needed to make a functional sword. Heating and quenching the blade at the perfect temperature is something of instinct that can only be mastered through years of experience by a skilled swordsmith.
  
  If the sword is clay tempered, the smith will apply a special clay mixture to the blade before tempering and quenching (performed with water in this case). The adhesive clay is made out of a mixture of charcoal, pulverized wet stone, and other ingredients; the exact proportions and ingredients are the smith’s own personal secret. After the mixture is carefully prepared, the smith applies it to the roughly ground sword with equal delicacy. The clay is painted on to the blade in a thin layer. Once the light layer of clay is applied to the cutting edge, the smith will use a thicker clay mixture for the spine of the blade. This coating is to ensure the blade does not heat up too much and over-harden. After both layers are applied, the smith will go to work with a small spatula, arranging the clay in a specific pattern on the blade to create the beautiful, unique temper line.
  
  After shaping, finishing, and tempering, it is the job of the polisher to reveal the true beauty and soul of the sword. Our swords are polished with a series of 13 different water stones by an expert polisher, starting with coarse stones that finalize the shaping of the geometry of the blade, creating crisp and proper surfaces, and ending with fine stones that bring the sword to a mirror polish, revealing the beautiful grain pattern (hada) and temper line (hamon) that laid dormant within the steel, bringing the sword to life.

• How are your swords sharpened?

  The blade attains it’s sharp edge during the polishing process, with the final stages of fine stone polishing. Our swords are made with a traditional niku edge by default, meaning the cutting edge side of the blade is convex, slightly rounded for maximum durability. Traditionally, Japanese swords are made with niku so the samurai’s blade could retain it’s cutting edge even after cutting through his enemy’s bones and clashing against iron armor. Additionally, the added thickness meant the edge could be resharpened several times which was important considering the sword’s value. While we always recommend niku sharpness which is still very sharp and functional, we also offer a razor sharp option, which offers a sharper edge but sacrifices some durability, only suggested for light cutting such as tatami mats.

• Does folded steel improve performance?

  In feudal Japan, swordsmiths used a material called tamahagane which consisted of iron sands and charcoal smelted in a clay tatara furnace. This blade material was very impure, with gaps in the steel, less desirable elements, and an uneven distribution of carbon throughout. The steel was folded around a dozen times to even out the carbon content and remove impurities, creating a strong blade without any weak points in the steel.
  
  Though folding was once a vital process in making a quality sword, modern steel is already pure and possesses even carbon throughout, which eliminates the need for folding. Now it is only done for tradition’s sake, and to create the beautiful grain pattern (hada) on the blade which samurai swords are famous for. We offer folded 1060 and 1095 steel as an option for those who value the traditional forging process and unique beauty of traditional Japanese swords.

• Do you have more custom options?

  Yes, please contact us for our full fittings catalog which features more options not listed on our website.

• Can you recreate a sword from a show or game?

  Yes we've recreated many customer's favorite swords, please send details and pictures to sales@swordsofnorthshire.com and we’ll let you know about the possibilities and quote.

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