Katana

A katana is a traditional Japanese sword characterized by its curved, single-edged blade, circular or squared guard, and a long grip designed for two-handed use. Historically the primary weapon of Japan's samurai warriors, a traditional katana measures 3 to 4 feet in total length with a characteristic curvature of about 1 inch. Modern katana are hand-forged using high-carbon steel such as T10, 1095, or Damascus, and are available as both functional battle-ready weapons and decorative display pieces. At TrueKatana, we offer 2,500+ hand-forged katana across every style, steel type, and price range.

Yes. At the federal level, there are no laws prohibiting the ownership of katana in the United States. Katana are legal to purchase, own, and display in all 50 states for adults 18 and older. However, publicly carrying a katana is regulated differently by state — for example, California and New York have stricter rules on carrying bladed weapons in public. We recommend transporting your sword in a secure case. For a detailed state-by-state breakdown, see our full guide: Are Katanas Legal in the US?

T10 steel offers the best balance of hardness, flexibility, and edge retention — it's our most popular choice for functional katana. 1095 high-carbon steel is harder and holds a sharper edge but is slightly less flexible. Damascus steel features beautiful layered patterns created by folding multiple steel types together, combining beauty with performance. For beginners, we recommend T10 or 1095. For collectors seeking visual impact, Damascus is unmatched. All three steels are available across our full katana collection, starting from $89.

Yes. Every katana at TrueKatana is hand-forged by master swordsmiths using traditional techniques. Our battle-ready swords feature full-tang construction, high-carbon steel blades (T10, 1095, or Damascus), and razor-sharp edges capable of cutting through tatami mats and bamboo. Each sword undergoes quality inspection before shipping. We also offer display-grade katana for collectors who prefer unsharpened blades — every product page clearly indicates whether the sword is sharpened or not. Browse our High-Performance Katana for our sharpest battle-ready picks.

For beginners, we recommend starting with a 1095 or T10 carbon steel katana in the $89–$199 range. These offer excellent durability, a sharp edge, and full-tang construction at an accessible price. Our bestselling beginner katana include models with traditional ray skin handles and cotton-wrapped grips. If you're unsure, browse our High-Performance Katana collection for curated picks, or contact our team for a personalized recommendation.

Yes. TrueKatana offers extensive customization options across blade steel, blade length, handle wrapping color, guard (tsuba) design, scabbard (saya) finish, and engraving. You can build a completely unique sword tailored to your preferences. Custom orders typically take 2–3 weeks for forging and finishing. To start a custom order, email us at customerservice@truekatana.com with your requirements and our team will provide a quote within 24 hours.

TrueKatana is America's #1 hand-forged Japanese sword store, and here's why: We offer the largest collection with 2,500+ unique swords across every category — katana, wakizashi, tanto, ninjato, tachi, and anime replicas. We've earned 9,800+ verified customer reviews with a 4.9/5 average rating and fulfilled over 100,000 orders since 2019. We're a US-registered brand (SWORDSMAN INC.) operated from Irvine, California, with a local warehouse for fast domestic shipping. Every sword features branded TrueKatana packaging and comes with free U.S. shipping and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

TrueKatana is a US-registered brand (SWORDSMAN INC.) headquartered in Irvine, California. Our swords are designed in collaboration with Japanese sword experts and hand-forged in sword town China — a city with over 2,600 years of sword-making heritage and widely recognized as the world's premier center for blade forging. All domestic orders ship from our US-based warehouse in California, ensuring fast and reliable delivery. International orders ship directly from our partner forges.

We offer a 30-day return policy on all orders. If your sword arrives damaged during shipping, we'll send a free replacement — no questions asked. If you're not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can return it within 30 days for a refund. All swords also come with our quality guarantee: if any manufacturing defect is discovered, we'll replace the sword at no cost. For full details, see our Return Policy page.

Most in-stock orders ship within 1–2 business days from our California warehouse. Standard delivery within the US takes 5–10 business days after shipment. Custom-forged swords require 2–3 weeks for crafting before shipping. We offer free shipping on all US orders. International shipping is available to most countries, with delivery typically taking 10–20 business days. Tracking is provided for every order. For full details, see our Shipping Policy page.

Yes, we ship to most countries worldwide. US orders enjoy free shipping from our California warehouse. International orders ship directly from our partner forges with full tracking. Please note that international buyers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or import fees charged by their country. For country-specific import rules, see our Customs Information page.

To keep your katana in top condition: Store it in a dry environment, ideally in its scabbard (saya). Apply a thin coat of choji oil (or mineral oil) to the blade every 1–2 months to prevent rust. Avoid touching the blade with bare hands, as skin oils can cause corrosion. When cleaning, use a soft cloth to wipe from spine to edge, never edge to spine. If your sword came coated in a protective oil layer, this is normal — you can remove it with a soft cloth before display.