A japanese katana sword is a single-edged sword that was designed to be used for both slashing and thrusting. The curved shape of the blade allows for both a thicker back (mune) and thinner edge, making it a powerful weapon for both close quarters combat and distance fighting.
The forging process for a katana starts with heating a block of steel in a clay tatara furnace. The steel is then struck and elongated with a hammer, called a tsuchi, creating a rough outline of the final sword. Once the smith is happy with the initial outline, the tsuchi is then heated again and hammered to create the shape of the sword. This is referred to as Sunobe and it is at this stage that the sword takes on many of the distinctive features which distinguish it from other blades.
Once the sword is forged, it is polished with a series of progressively finer stones to bring out the beauty of the hamon and to ensure that the blade is razor sharp. It is at this point that the smith will often add a scabbard mount to further enhance the appearance and status of the katana.
The hilt, guard and scabbard are then created by other specialized craftsmen who may add details such as gold inlay or carving to further enhance the appearance of the sword and make it more appealing for ceremonial use. Once these elements are complete, the smith will attach them to the blade and complete the assembly of the katana. Visit site