Shikoto Rurousha Handmade Katana/Samurai Sword - Damascus

Bound in leather but unbound by convention, the Rurousha is no ordinary katana
Shikoto’s “Rurousha” Katana may be stylishly bound in genuine leather bands, but it refuses to be bound by traditional notions of “orthodox” sword design. And when it comes to shear strength and raw cutting power, the Rurousha simply knows no bounds! Indeed, the Rurousha is one-of-a-kind in style, engineering, appointments and more - from its robust, breathtakingly beautiful Damascus steel blade to its rustic, leather-centric garb and beyond.

Swordcraft artistry only a seasoned hand could produce
Shikoto developed the Rurousha with the serious swordsman in mind. Master smiths painstakingly hand forge every blade, and seasoned sword artisans carefully handcraft each tsuka and saya. From vigorously hammering the molten blade steel to gingerly wrapping the leather thongs around the tuska and saya, every step in the Rurousha's construction receives the utmost care and precise attention to detail. Some of the world's - and history's - most revered, time-tested techniques are employed, and every material meets or exceeds stringent quality standards. A quintessential example is the Rurousha's eye-catching Damascus steel tanto blade, which teems with potency and visual splendor - a spectacular wonder in its own right, with its contrasting lines, waves, swirls and other mesmerizing patterns. Each line is a distinct variety of steel, hammer welded and folded repeatedly to yield the thousands of layers in each Rurousha blade. The unique metalsmithing technique’s roots stretch back to the Middle Ages, and today it’s still painstakingly performed by seasoned hands, unsullied by soulless automation and disconnected mechanization.

Ancient hand forging technique yields distinctly modern katana
In a nutshell, a master Shikoto swordsmith from the ancient sword-making village of Longquan fires a stack of steel strips - each a different alloy - in a white-hot forge until the metal glows cherry red. He then removes the stack and hammers it until it’s around half as thick as the original. Then he folds the metal onto itself lengthwise and hammers each half together. The process is meticulously repeated - hundreds of times in some cases - until the desired layering effect is achieved, at which point a final quenching strengthens the resulting blade blank and an acid etching highlights vivid contrasts in the layers. And the slow, laborious process itself it just the beginning! In order to achieve sufficiently dramatic contrasts, Shikoto’s master smiths must expertly select an appropriate combination of steel alloys of varying color, luminescence and other visual qualities. For the sake of strength, resilience and countless additional blade factors, the smiths must also must consider each alloy’s distinct melting point, proper stacking order, forge temperature and myriad other variables. Simply put, an unbelievable quantity of blood, sweat and tears goes into every Rurousha blade, but lay eyes on it just once, and you’ll know it was well worth the trouble. Furthermore, like a steel snowflake or fingerprint, the patterning on no two Rurousha blades is exactly alike.

Display worthy beauty, battlefield-worthy capability and strength
But the Ruruousha is so much more than a pretty face. More like a “wild beast decked out in regal robes,” the Rorousha’s stout tanto blade slices effortlessly and pierces cleanly through even the most challenging materials, retaining its carefully honed, razor sharp edge through even the most brutal cutting trials. The Rurousha's weight is shrewdly distributed to maximize swinging momentum and power, blow after devastating blow. This impeccable balance also improves control and responsiveness, allowing for greater agility and flexibility in combat. The leather wrapping that encircles the tsuka affords a comfortable, no-slip grip, further enhancing the Rurousha’s superb feel. Flawlessly cast, the tsuba features a clean, no-frills design, bathed in a warm, antiqued patina.

Enduring quality and allure, generation after generation
The Rurousha has proven itself time and again, and it holds its own against any of today's most expensive katana, outperforming many. But the old cliché is true - "action" does indeed "speak louder than words," and at this unbeatable, downright unheard of price, why deny yourself the opportunity to experience Shikoto's Rurousha Katana for yourself? No matter how you use it, with proper care you can enjoy it for a lifetime, then pass it down to your children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren! The Rurousha is heirloom-quality and built to be treasured by generations of your descendants - your legacy preserved in hand forged Damascus steel.

• Bound in rustic genuine leather, unbound by convention - distinctive katana bucks trends, boasts a style all its own
• Full tang 30" Damascus steel blade accented with twin fullers, engraved kanji; expertly hand forged by seasoned swordsmiths using proven, centuries-old techniques
• Blade boasts thousands of distinct layers of high carbon steel - a sea of contrasting lines, waves, ripples, swirls and other spellbinding patterning
• Tsuka wrapped in genuine leather thongs for unique visual appeal, comfortable no-slip grip; flawlessly cast tsuba with clean, contemporary design
• Hand lacquered wooden saya protects blade; handsome mottled color scheme, genuine leather wrapping
• Overall length: 41 1/4" - the quintessential full-sized Japanese samurai sword; powerful yet easy to wield