Samurai Sword vs Katana: Understanding the Difference Are They the Same Thing? Sort of. But not exactly, and the difference matters more than most people r
When to Sharpen Your Katana (and When Not To) Most sharpening mistakes happen before the whetstone ever touches the blade. Owners sharpen too early, too of
How to Remove Rust from a Carbon Steel Sword Carbon steel rusts. That is not a flaw in the material. It is simply the nature of high-carbon steel, which is
Sword Storage: How to Display and Store Your Katana Safely A blade can survive the forge, survive the grinder, survive final polish, and then rust in a col
How to Oil Your Katana: Step-by-Step Guide Why Oiling Matters Carbon steel does not forgive neglect. A blade forged from 1095, T10, or any high-carbon stee
Full Tang vs Rat Tail: Why Sword Construction Matters Most buyers spend their time comparing blade steel, hamon lines, and handle wrap patterns. Those deta
How a Katana Is Forged: Step-by-Step Process Most people who ask how a katana is made are expecting a short answer. They want to hear “steel, fire, hammer”
Longquan: 2,600 Years of Swordmaking History Most sword-producing regions have a history measured in centuries. Longquan measures its in millennia. Swordsm
Katana vs Wakizashi: Which Japanese Sword Is Right for You? Two swords, one tradition. The katana and the wakizashi share the same curved geometry, the sam
Damascus vs Carbon Steel Katana: Which Should You Buy? This question comes into our inbox several times a week. Someone has a budget, a purpose in mind, an



















