Almost all swords were made of steel as at the time the forgers didn't know about the effect of various trace metals on the strength of steel. The earliest swords were made of copper, followed by bronze (copper + tin). Iron became the material of choice during the Iron Age (obviously). Once steel was discovered, all swords were made from it. The actual material is called carbon steel and contains ~1.5% carbon.

Other additives include:

Chromium - Aids hardening; used in stainless-steel alloys; can cause the steel to crack during forging
Tungsten - Provides for a sharp and long-lasting edge; hard to forge
Manganese - Adds strength during the heat-treatment process
Molybdenum - Keeps the steel hard at higher temperatures; very difficult to forge when present in high quantity
Nickel - Adds strength, does not increase hardness; appears in higher concentration in stainless-steel alloys
Silicon - Improves flexibility and hardness

In most cases the sword design dictates how the sword will perform in terms of flexibility and weight. Even today, steel is the material of choice.

Is this bratty taking another stab at humour?

His wit is becoming razor sharp.

All I can say is WOW!

I did see information stating that Japanese swords can cost up to £35K. While I would be sure that those would be extremely special one-offs with elaborate designs, it's not hard to see why.

To a nation that doesn't know the secrets, they may as well be forged from magic. Some of them have an incredible history too, which would add value should they ever be sold.

As an engineer even just the smelting process is fascinating.

I think they only make proper Tamahagane steel something like thrice a year.

The sword Kusanagi is one of the three items in the Japanese Imperial Regalia (the Japanese equivalent of the British monarchy's Crown Jewels). It hasn't actually been seen by anyone outside the monastery in which it is kept for a very long time, has a very interesting history and possibly the the monks who claim to have it are pulling a great big scam...

My ninjutsu teacher has a Japanese made katana and of course it's folded steel. It's razor sharp and whilst we're not insured to use it, practising techniques with a live blade is far more effective than with an oak training weapon (which nonetheless is weighted very nicely and still very painful if you're not quick enough to avoid it). I believe it cost him a couple of grand and it's perfectly capable of slicing through flesh and bone and won't shatter easily. On the rare occasions I have used it, it focusses the mind and drastically improves my kamae (posture).

You can beat the feel of a real, well crafted weapon if you intend to train in its use, whatever your intended purpose.

I thought that Katana was a Samurai sword, not a Ninjitsu sword. Though not an expert, this is one difference that I have noticed. A site I've just visited explains the differences in the way that the sword was used and made- as Ninjas could not afford the quality swords of the Samurai.

The Ninja sword is shorter, straight and used for stabbing.

It's really not that simple. Firstly the number of varying sword styles throughout Japan's history is immense. Secondly, the ninja used whatever was available to them as a weapon. As the samurai were the ruling warrior class at the time, the ninja trained to become expert in the use of samurai weaponry - including the katana. Stealing from samurai (as well as others) may well have been commonplace.

However, it's extremely difficult to verify anything about how the ninja trained and lived, because most of it is myth. Many experienced people I've spoken with believe this was intentional on the part of the ninja as yet another misdirection in order to confuse their enemies.

The ninja are believed to have trained in the ways of the samurai as they did not believe in the same honour system. The ninja merely valued their survival, rather than the "correct" way to fight. In this way they were often able to get the drop on the samurai using their own weapons and training against them. There are many examples of this in the kenjutsu that I study as part of my training, as well as other arts, involving other weapons. We learn the samurai way, then how the ninja may have enhanced the techniques to discount etiquette and take the advantage.

I personally believe that violence is not honourable and I will avoid if at all possible. However, if pressed into a situation, fight etiquette is irrelevant and I would want to move hard and fast to end the situation ASAP. This is in keeping with the way the ninja fought and it is how Bujinkan ninjutsu is taught today. The samurai thought differently.

In short, to to say "the ninja did this or that" with authority, is not only impossible, but silly IMHO. But it is easy for us westerners to get it wrong because "martial arts" has become so huge over here and for the most part is westernised and misinterpreted.

Thanks for that, okenobi. I haven't thought about ninjas much since my younger days when there were many films that featured such things. I accept that you know a hell of a lot more than me, and you have offered substantial clarification there.

Ninjas are cool

You're welcome.

I don't know a lot honestly. I've just been fortunate to talk and train with people who have trained with sensai in Japan for years.

You say about films and such and I remember that too. I think the 70s and 80s was when the first westerners "discovered" the ninja and all of the pop culture stuff started. Shinobi on the Mega Drive is just one example!! My soke (Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi) who is currently the head of the Bujinkan, began learning ninjutsu in the 50s from Takamatsu sensai until his death in 1972. It wasn't until the 80s that the Americans began arriving in Japan en masse and bringing ninjutsu to the attention of the rest of the world. Since then, Hatsumi sensai has trained USMC personnel and tons of other military and close protection people and so the art has remained "alive" in the minds of people even if it's just a pop culture understanding.

For me, the first time I saw a ninja was You Only Live Twice! I still love that movie and to think that it was released in the late sixties is pretty nuts!

Oh and JJ, most of me wants to disagree because that's not what it's about for me........... but I can't help but do so a little

I've been and gone and bought this



A two-handed sword 47" long over all. It's not an expensive one, but it matches the style and weight of the ones used in the nearby training academy. Although I won't be able to use this there as it is sharp, while I only have one sword, it might as well be like the one I will train with.

I've been having a good think about the Samurai swords and decided that the- traditionally made- Paper Crane Katana is very nice, but is understandably expensive at £2,000. I had a good chat with the shop bloke today, and he told me that a customer waited two years for one, because so many failed to reach the standard required as they were using the traditional steel.

Modern folded steel Katanas are, as far as I can tell, folded not for the sake of it, but to achieve the decorative effect of a polished blade so it's worth considering a significantly cheaper modern steel Samurai sword. It seems to me that a lot of the money paid for a genuine one is probably to make up for all the wasted time. I'll have to start saving.

There was an amazing array of the less expensive, re-enactment swords in the shop, and there were some really smart pieces. I only have one major problem- apart from money and the missus- and that's room. I've already told my oldest that I'm having his bedroom the moment he leaves home.

I think if I was to go out and get a sword it would either be one of these or, more likely one of these.

Mark