Ronin Elite 2011 Komainu Forrest Guardians Katana
The Komainu (lion dog) Forrest Guardians 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 Komainu themed 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: Teal silk sageo over black 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 Komainu (lion dog) Forrest Guardians 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 Komainu themed 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: Teal silk sageo over black lacquer with buffalo horn inserts
Ability level: Advanced dojo use (bamboo, tatami mats, etc)
Number of pieces in production run: One (1)
Price: $800
