Choosing the steal of your katana
At our shop, we only use high-quality steels, so if you’re a collector or simply looking for a decorative piece, any steel we offer will serve you well. However, if you’re interested in cutting practice or want to explore the different properties of various steels, please read further for more detailed information on each type.
Types of Steel for Katanas :
1060 Steel
Characteristics: 1060 steel contains approximately 0.60% carbon.
Strengths:Balanced hardness and flexibility.
Good edge retention.Relatively easy to sharpen.
Weaknesses:Not as tough as higher carbon steels. Moderate resistance to corrosion.
Best For: Functional swords for martial arts practice and cutting exercises (tameshigiri). These swords are durable yet retain enough flexibility to avoid breaking during practice.
1070 Steel
Characteristics: 1070 steel contains around 0.70% carbon.
Strengths:Higher hardness compared to 1060.
Good edge retention.Suitable for sharp, resilient blades.
Weaknesses:Less flexible, more prone to chipping under stress.
Requires regular maintenance to prevent rust.
Best For: Cutting-focused swords which require a sharp and robust edge. Ideal for intermediate users looking for a balance of performance and maintenance.
1090 Steel :
Characteristics: 1090 steel contains approximately 0.90% carbon.
Strengths:Superior hardness.
Excellent edge retention.Very sharp cutting edge.
Weaknesses:Can be quite brittle and prone to breaking under improper use.
Higher maintenance to prevent corrosion and rust.
Best For: Experienced users and collectors looking for high-performance blades for serious cutting tasks. Not ideal for beginners due to the skill required in maintenance and use.
T10 Steel :
Characteristics: High-speed tool steel with higher carbon content (about 1.00%) and tungsten.
Strengths:Extremely hard and wear-resistant.
Excellent edge retention. With proper heat treatment, can achieve impressive toughness.
Weaknesses:Very high maintenance to keep from rusting.
Can be brittle if not properly made or handled.
Best For: Professionals and serious practitioners. T10 is favored for its ability to hold a razor-sharp edge and extraordinary hardness, making it suitable for high-performance cutting.
High Manganese Steel (often 1070 with added manganese) :
Characteristics: Higher manganese content improves overall durability and toughness.
Strengths:Greater impact resistance compared to standard 1070.
Good flexibility and toughness.Reasonably good edge retention.
Weaknesses:Still requires consistent maintenance to prevent rust.
Best For: Versatile use for both cutting and display. The added toughness makes it a more durable option for novice to intermediate users.
S8 Steel
S8 Steel :
Characteristics: S8 steel is an air-hardened tool steel with a higher silicon and manganese content.
Strengths:Excellent impact resistance and toughness.
Good wear resistance. Retains its properties at higher temperatures.
Weaknesses:Less edge hardness compared to higher carbon steels.
Requires special handling during heat treatment.
Best For: Practical use in tools and heavy-duty applications where durability and toughness are more crucial than a razor-sharp edge. Suitable for specialty tools and impact applications.
T8 Steel :
Characteristics: T8 steel contains about 0.80% carbon and is similar to high carbon steels with added tungsten content.
Strengths:High hardness and excellent edge retention. Good wear resistance.
Combines toughness and cutting ability.
Weaknesses:Maintenance-intensive to prevent rust.
Higher risk of brittleness if not properly heat-treated.
Best For: High-performance blades requiring excellent edge retention and hardness. T8 is ideal for experienced practitioners who can properly maintain and handle the blade.
Damascus Steel :
Damascus steel refers to the pattern-welded steel known for its distinctive wavy patterns and high durability.
Characteristics: A blend of different steels, typically high carbon and low carbon, forge-welded together.
Strengths:Beautiful, unique aesthetic with swirling patterns.
Combination of hardness and flexibility. Good edge retention and durability.
Weaknesses:Quality can vary significantly depending on the quality of the steels used.At Kazebushi, we use only quality steels, so you have nothing to worry about.
Best For: Collectors and enthusiasts who value aesthetics and historical significance, as well as those wanting a functional and visually stunning blade.
1060 Steel
Characteristics: 1060 steel contains approximately 0.60% carbon.
Strengths:Balanced hardness and flexibility.
Good edge retention.Relatively easy to sharpen.
Weaknesses:Not as tough as higher carbon steels. Moderate resistance to corrosion.
Best For: Functional swords for martial arts practice and cutting exercises (tameshigiri). These swords are durable yet retain enough flexibility to avoid breaking during practice.
1070 Steel
Characteristics: 1070 steel contains around 0.70% carbon.
Strengths:Higher hardness compared to 1060.
Good edge retention.Suitable for sharp, resilient blades.
Weaknesses:Less flexible, more prone to chipping under stress.
Requires regular maintenance to prevent rust.
Best For: Cutting-focused swords which require a sharp and robust edge. Ideal for intermediate users looking for a balance of performance and maintenance.
1090 Steel :
Characteristics: 1090 steel contains approximately 0.90% carbon.
Strengths:Superior hardness.
Excellent edge retention.Very sharp cutting edge.
Weaknesses:Can be quite brittle and prone to breaking under improper use.
Higher maintenance to prevent corrosion and rust.
Best For: Experienced users and collectors looking for high-performance blades for serious cutting tasks. Not ideal for beginners due to the skill required in maintenance and use.
T10 Steel :
Characteristics: High-speed tool steel with higher carbon content (about 1.00%) and tungsten.
Strengths:Extremely hard and wear-resistant.
Excellent edge retention. With proper heat treatment, can achieve impressive toughness.
Weaknesses:Very high maintenance to keep from rusting.
Can be brittle if not properly made or handled.
Best For: Professionals and serious practitioners. T10 is favored for its ability to hold a razor-sharp edge and extraordinary hardness, making it suitable for high-performance cutting.
High Manganese Steel (often 1070 with added manganese) :
Characteristics: Higher manganese content improves overall durability and toughness.
Strengths:Greater impact resistance compared to standard 1070.
Good flexibility and toughness.Reasonably good edge retention.
Weaknesses:Still requires consistent maintenance to prevent rust.
Best For: Versatile use for both cutting and display. The added toughness makes it a more durable option for novice to intermediate users.
S8 Steel
S8 Steel :
Characteristics: S8 steel is an air-hardened tool steel with a higher silicon and manganese content.
Strengths:Excellent impact resistance and toughness.
Good wear resistance. Retains its properties at higher temperatures.
Weaknesses:Less edge hardness compared to higher carbon steels.
Requires special handling during heat treatment.
Best For: Practical use in tools and heavy-duty applications where durability and toughness are more crucial than a razor-sharp edge. Suitable for specialty tools and impact applications.
T8 Steel :
Characteristics: T8 steel contains about 0.80% carbon and is similar to high carbon steels with added tungsten content.
Strengths:High hardness and excellent edge retention. Good wear resistance.
Combines toughness and cutting ability.
Weaknesses:Maintenance-intensive to prevent rust.
Higher risk of brittleness if not properly heat-treated.
Best For: High-performance blades requiring excellent edge retention and hardness. T8 is ideal for experienced practitioners who can properly maintain and handle the blade.
Damascus Steel :
Damascus steel refers to the pattern-welded steel known for its distinctive wavy patterns and high durability.
Characteristics: A blend of different steels, typically high carbon and low carbon, forge-welded together.
Strengths:Beautiful, unique aesthetic with swirling patterns.
Combination of hardness and flexibility. Good edge retention and durability.
Weaknesses:Quality can vary significantly depending on the quality of the steels used.At Kazebushi, we use only quality steels, so you have nothing to worry about.
Best For: Collectors and enthusiasts who value aesthetics and historical significance, as well as those wanting a functional and visually stunning blade.