There are a number of factors in determining what a well made sword is. The four key attributes are strength, flexibility, hardness and balance. Handmade katana swords typically have the perfect balance between all of those. The manual forging, heat treating and polishing result in a blade that's hard enough to hold an edge, but flexible enough to withstand a blow. Hand forged samurai swords are well known for their balance of strength and flexibility.
The type of steel used in a handmade sword, and how it is tempered play a vital role in its overall quality. The Japanese have mastered the folded steel technique, where the blade is repeatedly folded back onto itself - creating fantastic cutters that can be wielded with deadly efficiency.
We are proud to offer an amazing collection of handmade swords for sale for our discerning collectors, including our very own line of handmade swords - exclusive to Swords.com.
The type of steel used in a handmade sword, and how it is tempered play a vital role in its overall quality. The Japanese have mastered the folded steel technique, where the blade is repeatedly folded back onto itself - creating fantastic cutters that can be wielded with deadly efficiency.
We are proud to offer an amazing collection of handmade swords for sale for our discerning collectors, including our very own line of handmade swords - exclusive to Swords.com.
MSRP:
ON SALE
$1,330.00
Availability: In stock
ON SALE
Handmade Swords for Sale
[ browse all handmade swords ]
|
MSRP:
ON SALE
$1,280.00
Availability: In stock
ON SALE
MSRP:
ON SALE
$1,280.00
Availability: In stock
ON SALE
Handmade swords are typically manufactured using traditional tools and techniques that have been passed down for centuries. Most of our handmade swords are fully forged, sharpened, polished and assembled in their entirety by swordsmiths. Some are hand forged manually, but the sharpening or polishing is automated under strict supervision. All are thoroughly inspected by an expert smith.
Swords are difficult items to create, and for the most part, the tools a smith uses have remained the same since the masters of yesteryear. To build a handmade sword, one generally uses an anvil, a selection of hammers, and other shaping tools and equipment. In fact, our Spanish swords from Toledo and most of our fully functional, custom katana swords and other samurai swords (e.g., wakizashi, tanto) are manufactured using many of these traditional tools.
The anvil has long been associated with sword forging, and is quite an important tool for sword creation - it's often associated with medieval swords and forging of heavy armor and weapons, but is in fact used for every type of blade. The face of the anvil is tempered to be smooth and hard, and is where the actual shaping of the sword takes place. This surface will have round edges so that it won't damage the sword during hammering. Near the face is a section called the pad, which is used for chiseling. The very recognizable horn shape at the end of the anvil, called the bick, or simply the horn, is used to shape the sword material. An anvil also has a series of holes, often called hardy holes, generally reserved for holding hammers and shaping tools.
A very important tool used in sword forging is a crowned hammer. A crowned hammer has a rounded face rather than being straight across to avoid causing damage to the sword. There are several types of hammers available for sword forging. A set hammer is used to make flat edges. A sledge hammer, which is a large, heavy hammer weighing upwards of 15 pounds, is used when a sword-to-be needs a large amount of shaping before lighter-duty tools can be used. Oftentimes, one person will hold the sword on a flat surface, generally an anvil, while another operates the sledgehammer. One of the smaller shaping hammers, the peen is used for most of the fine shaping work.
Other tools used for making a sword include chisels, fullers, and punches. All of these tools are used for some of the finer detail-work when creating a sword, such as cutting grooves and holes as well as minor bending and shaping of the steel. This is very common for Japanese swords and Chinese swords.
Of course, all of the above mentioned tools are used while the sword is still hot, therefore making the forge one of the most important pieces in a smith's arsenal. The forge is a large oven that can run on electricity, gas, or coal. The sword will be placed in the forge for a period of time that varies depending on material used and temperature. After the blade is removed from the forge, it is placed in a quench tank, which is a large vat filled with a type of oil that helps harden the steel.
The creation of each sword is a laborious process that hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. While each smith uses his own technique and materials, almost all of them will use the tools described above. Just like anything else, if you want a perfect end product, you must begin with the correct tools. Antique swords and many of history's military swords and knives were made this way.
More modern fantasy swords like ninja swords, anime swords and movie swords are very rarely hand made. These replica swords are factory made, and are far lower in quality - but cheaper - than their handmade counterparts.
Swords are difficult items to create, and for the most part, the tools a smith uses have remained the same since the masters of yesteryear. To build a handmade sword, one generally uses an anvil, a selection of hammers, and other shaping tools and equipment. In fact, our Spanish swords from Toledo and most of our fully functional, custom katana swords and other samurai swords (e.g., wakizashi, tanto) are manufactured using many of these traditional tools.
The anvil has long been associated with sword forging, and is quite an important tool for sword creation - it's often associated with medieval swords and forging of heavy armor and weapons, but is in fact used for every type of blade. The face of the anvil is tempered to be smooth and hard, and is where the actual shaping of the sword takes place. This surface will have round edges so that it won't damage the sword during hammering. Near the face is a section called the pad, which is used for chiseling. The very recognizable horn shape at the end of the anvil, called the bick, or simply the horn, is used to shape the sword material. An anvil also has a series of holes, often called hardy holes, generally reserved for holding hammers and shaping tools.
A very important tool used in sword forging is a crowned hammer. A crowned hammer has a rounded face rather than being straight across to avoid causing damage to the sword. There are several types of hammers available for sword forging. A set hammer is used to make flat edges. A sledge hammer, which is a large, heavy hammer weighing upwards of 15 pounds, is used when a sword-to-be needs a large amount of shaping before lighter-duty tools can be used. Oftentimes, one person will hold the sword on a flat surface, generally an anvil, while another operates the sledgehammer. One of the smaller shaping hammers, the peen is used for most of the fine shaping work.
Other tools used for making a sword include chisels, fullers, and punches. All of these tools are used for some of the finer detail-work when creating a sword, such as cutting grooves and holes as well as minor bending and shaping of the steel. This is very common for Japanese swords and Chinese swords.
Of course, all of the above mentioned tools are used while the sword is still hot, therefore making the forge one of the most important pieces in a smith's arsenal. The forge is a large oven that can run on electricity, gas, or coal. The sword will be placed in the forge for a period of time that varies depending on material used and temperature. After the blade is removed from the forge, it is placed in a quench tank, which is a large vat filled with a type of oil that helps harden the steel.
The creation of each sword is a laborious process that hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. While each smith uses his own technique and materials, almost all of them will use the tools described above. Just like anything else, if you want a perfect end product, you must begin with the correct tools. Antique swords and many of history's military swords and knives were made this way.
More modern fantasy swords like ninja swords, anime swords and movie swords are very rarely hand made. These replica swords are factory made, and are far lower in quality - but cheaper - than their handmade counterparts.
