Reaper Straight – Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Katana Sword

Reaper Straight – Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Katana Sword

A titanium-coated blade reads differently on a wall than a polished one. Where mirror steel reflects the room back at you, the titanium finish on the Reaper Straight (収割者-直刃) holds its own color – a consistent dark metallic tone that does not compete with the fittings or the saya but sets a deliberate, composed palette from tip to tsuka-gashira (pommel cap).

Specifications

Forged in Longquan

Longquan, in Zhejiang province, has produced edged weapons for over 2,600 years – the city’s bladesmiths are recognized by the Chinese government as inheritors of an intangible cultural craft tradition. Dragon Blade Forge has worked within that community for over 40 years, and the Reaper Straight is made in that same environment, by hands that have shaped shinogi-zukuri (ridgeline) profiles across tens of thousands of blades.

The substrate here is rust-resistant carbon steel given an oil quench and temper, then finished with a titanium coating. That coating layer changes the surface chemistry of the blade – titanium deposits bond tightly and create a finish that resists fingerprint oils and atmospheric moisture more effectively than bare carbon steel. For a blade displayed in a living space, that translates directly to less visible maintenance and a surface that stays consistent over time without intervention.

Weight, Balance, Draw

The tsuka (handle) at 27.0 cm / 10.6 in gives a substantial grip presence when you take the piece down from its mount – the cotton ito wrap provides a tactile texture under the fingers, the diamond-shaped lozenge panels created by the wrap sitting firm and evenly spaced along the full handle length. The saya (scabbard) is lacquered solid wood in the half-K style, the lacquer surface smooth enough that the blade draws without resistance while still holding securely at rest on the wall mount.

Keeping It Sharp

The titanium coating handles most of the passive maintenance for you – a wipe with a soft cloth every few weeks is sufficient for dust and ambient oils. The iron fittings at the tsuba (handguard) and habaki (blade collar) benefit from a light oil application twice a year to keep surface oxidation away. Store horizontally, saya on, away from direct sunlight, which can fade the lacquer on the scabbard over extended exposure.