Let's talk about Hanwei Paul Chen and a couple of their Katana Swords that they have used this Tamahagane Steel on. Tamahagane Steel is a type of Japanese Steel translated as "jewel steel" which is mainly used to make Samurai Swords and Katana Swords. (SH2294 Paper Crane Katana Sword shown)
Tamahagane Steel is made by building and firing a Tatara, the traditional Japanese sword steel smelter. This charcoal fired furnace produces a very pure steel from iron sand and this steel "kera" or bloom can be broken and separated into high and low carbon pieces. These will form the "skin" steel and the "core" steel of the blade. The skin steel is forged and folded repeatedly. Careful heat treating, shaping and polishing reveals the tight "hada" or layer pattern of the blade and the white particles of the "hamon" or temper line. It takes about one week to build the tatara and complete the iron conversion to steel.
While this vigorous process results in the beautiful qualities much admired by collectors, it also produces a very functional blade as the high carbon content of the skin steel makes a very hard edge possible while the softer core steel gives the blade its resilience and ability to absorb shock.
The Paul Chen Paper Crane Katana Sword (SH2294) and the Paul Chen Paper Crane Wakizashi Sword (SH2328) are both made with the Tamahagane Steel and are without a doubt some of the greatest achievements in sword making artistry available from Hanwei.
The swords offer a Paper Crane motif tsuba with Nanako (stippled background) and an incredible hada and prominent hamon. They both also have a black lacquered saya with hand woven silk sageos.
These are fully functional and beautiful swords and are a MUST have to your current collection or a great way to start off your collection. They are priced right now at over 10% off the regular price and when you sign up to become a Samurai Supply Member on our home page, we will take an extra 7% off the price! Order yours now securely on our site and take advantage of this great price and this amazing sword!
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