Ronin Elite 2011 Baku Katana
The Baku (nightmare devourer) katana has been traditionally forged and laminated in the soshu kitae tradition (seven
panel steel). This school was developed by the Japanese smith Masamune, and combines panels of hard, medium,
and soft steels. The core of the blade is formed from softer, more malleable steel giving it exceptional flexibility. A layer
of slightly harder steel is bonded to each side of the core to add support. The last layers are a very hard steel bonded
to the top, bottom, and both sides of the core forming the ha (cutting edge) mune (back edge) and shinogi-ji (blade
flats). This form of laminar construction provided for a sword that could be sharpened to a razor edge due to the
hardened steed used for the ha, but was extremely resilient to battle damage due to its softer more flexible core.
Blade lamination: Soshu Kitae seven panel steel
Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tempering: Differentially hardened (clayed) and water quenched
Rockwell Hardness: 62 edge / 40 spine
Fittings: Handmade fuchi, kashira, tsuba, and menuki
Kurikata, Koiguch, Kojirii: Polished buffalo horn
Polish: Japanese finger stone polish.
Blade length: 29 inches (habaki to tip)
Over all length: 40.9 inches
Tang: Full tang with Ronin kanji.
Grip: 10 inches
Wrap: Silk ito over genuine ray skin.
Saya: Black silk sageo over red lacquer with buffalo horn inserts
Ability level: Advanced dojo use (bamboo, tatami mats, etc)
Number of pieces in production run: One (1)
Price: $800
The Baku (nightmare devourer) katana has been traditionally forged and laminated in the soshu kitae tradition (seven
panel steel). This school was developed by the Japanese smith Masamune, and combines panels of hard, medium,
and soft steels. The core of the blade is formed from softer, more malleable steel giving it exceptional flexibility. A layer
of slightly harder steel is bonded to each side of the core to add support. The last layers are a very hard steel bonded
to the top, bottom, and both sides of the core forming the ha (cutting edge) mune (back edge) and shinogi-ji (blade
flats). This form of laminar construction provided for a sword that could be sharpened to a razor edge due to the
hardened steed used for the ha, but was extremely resilient to battle damage due to its softer more flexible core.
Blade lamination: Soshu Kitae seven panel steel
Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tempering: Differentially hardened (clayed) and water quenched
Rockwell Hardness: 62 edge / 40 spine
Fittings: Handmade fuchi, kashira, tsuba, and menuki
Kurikata, Koiguch, Kojirii: Polished buffalo horn
Polish: Japanese finger stone polish.
Blade length: 29 inches (habaki to tip)
Over all length: 40.9 inches
Tang: Full tang with Ronin kanji.
Grip: 10 inches
Wrap: Silk ito over genuine ray skin.
Saya: Black silk sageo over red lacquer with buffalo horn inserts
Ability level: Advanced dojo use (bamboo, tatami mats, etc)
Number of pieces in production run: One (1)
Price: $800
