How to Make a Katana Blade

Resource: http://www.ehow.com/how_4601898_build-a-katana.html

To begin the process one must forge two blades out of Japanese black sand. The steel is called "tamahagane" and it has no equal on Earth. Heat the steel, then fold it and hammer it. Repeat this process thousands of times. This will pound out the impurities and evenly distribute the carbon throughout the blade. This will make the katana very strong. Fold one of the blades more than the other. This will makes one hard blade and soft blade. Then, you have to bend the harder balde in a U shape. This process is followed by inserting the softer blade into the U shape. Pound them together so it becomes one blade. Continue to craft the katana blade so that it will start looking like a sword. Sharpen the point and hard edge then narrow the end to prepare for hilt. Then cover the blade with clay. Spread a thin layer on the blade edge and a thick layer on the rest. This will make different parts of the katana blade cool at different rates of time when it is heated. Also, the thin layer on the blade edge with make it even harder. Heat and cool the weapon. Then place the blade in a fire then dunk in a water. The mud will make the blade begin to bend backwards since it was placed unevenly. Repeat the heating and cooling process until the katana has it's characteristic curved shape we all know and love. Then remove the mud and polish the katana. Craft any artistic ridges on the sword. This process is done with special Japanese polishing stones.

The katana was one of the best or is the best sword of all time. It is considered legendary and since most people will know what a katana is, it did a great job at making a name for itself. The blade takes a long and tedious process, but It has given one of the best outputs to the sword world. This process also proves that with hard work comes great rewards! Go Swords!!