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Even a beautiful, tranquil bamboo grove may have a beast lurking in the shadows
Savage yet beautiful, tough yet graceful, Sokojikara's “Shadow Grove" Katana is a wild animal in the refined trappings of a nobleman. This traditional Japanese samurai sword is beautiful, eye-catching and no doubt impressive from the very first glance. But many of the Shadow Grove’s greatest treasures lie beneath its striking visual facade, and some - like clay tempering - are even altogether intangible. The Shadow Grove is a veritable swordcraft goldmine, never ceasing to yield rich sword-wielding experiences from the moment you first grasp the tsuka to your inaugural cut and every time you brandish it beyond.
Made of blood, sweat, tears, and premium 1065 steel
Sokojikara developed the Shadow Grove with the serious swordsman in mind. Master smiths painstakingly hand forge every Shadow Grove blade, and seasoned artisans carefully hand etch and paint every saya. From vigorously hammering the formless, molten steel to gingerly tapping in the tiny wooden mekugi, every step in the Shadow Grove'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 is top-of-the-line. A quintessential example is the Shadow Grove's potent 1065 tanto blade. One of the most sought-after high carbon steels in modern swordcraft, 1065 alone would yield a blade with a nasty bite. But the Shadow Grove takes it a step further, enhancing the blade with a time honored differential hardening technique called “clay tempering.” Unique to traditional Japanese swordcraft, clay tempering was developed centuries ago by Edo-period smiths and is integral to the katana's longstanding, well-earned reputation as the sharpest sword on earth. A 1065 blade may have a “nasty bite,” but a clay tempered 1065 blade like the Shadow Grove’s is nothing short of devastating. And the “devastation” persists, battle after battle, cut after cut…
Seasoned hands yield “sharpest sword in the world,” clay tempering ensures it stays that way
Clay tempering imparts edge retention that's simply without equal. Like a koi gliding through a still pond, the Shadow Grove's blade slices through rolled bamboo tatami mats and even cinder blocks cleanly and effortlessly, suffering neither crack nor fissure and all-the-while retaining its razor sharp edge. The Shadow Grove can withstand such punishing cutting trials thanks, largely, to clay tempering. Prior to the intense heat of the hardening phase, Sokojikara's seasoned swordsmiths coat the newly formed, unrefined blade with clay - a thin layer along the edge, a thicker layer on the body and spine. When the blade emerges from the hardening forge, the clay layers' contrasting thicknesses cause the steel to cool at slightly different rates, yielding two distinct hardness regions. The less-insulated edge cools faster, making it harder for superior edge retention and shear strength. The thicker, more insulating coat of clay causes the body/spine to cool more slowly, rendering it "tougher"- less brittle, more flexible and better equipped to absorb impact energy. Though conceptually simple, clay tempering requires skilled hands and years of experience. It’s a slow, labor-intensive process that has changed little since its 15th century origins. But when you see the Shadow Grove in action, you’ll undoubtedly agree it’s well worth the time and effort.
Sublime feel, practically Zen-like wielding experience
The Shadow Grove'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 delicately textured genuine ray skin same and soft braided ito that cloak the tsuka afford a comfortable, no-slip grip, further enhancing the Shadow Grove’s superb feel. Flawlessly cast from brass like katana of ages past, the brass tsuba is embellished with vibrant relief work and bathed in a warm, antiqued patina. A classic brass menuki is nestled between ito and ray skin same, offset by traditional bamboo mekugi.
Experience the Shadow Grove, then pass it on
The Shadow Grove 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 Sokojikara's Shadow Grove 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 Shadow Grove is heirloom-quality and built to be treasured by generations of your descendants - your legacy preserved in hand forged steel.
- Literally a “handcrafted masterpiece” - blade hand forged by master smiths, saya hand carved and painted by master artisans
- Full tang 28" 1065 high carbon steel blade - expertly hand forged by seasoned swordsmiths using advanced techniques honed over centuries
- Centuries-old clay tempering process yields tough, impact-absorbing blade spine/body and history's sharpest edge; also produces natural hamon line
- Classic tsuka wrapped in delicately textured genuine ray skin same and braided ito; traditional wooden mekugi, brass menuki
- Elegant, exquisitely detailed tsuba flawlessly cast from brass like katana of ages past; accented with vibrant relief designs
- Hand lacquered wooden saya protects blade while adding classic style to this spectacular ensemble; embellished with traditional sageo
- Overall length: 41" - the ultimate Japanese samurai sword; unstoppable in battle yet not too large to impede movement
