Wakizashi Sword, Hand Forged 1095 Carbon Steel with Black Saya
Wakizashi Sword, Hand Forged 1095 Carbon Steel with Black Saya
Please enter the text you want engraved.
- Engraving adds 3 to 5 business days.
- We engrave your text exactly as typed, so double check the spelling.
- We send a proof image before we engrave.
- Engraved blades cannot be returned or exchanged unless the blade itself is defective.
A wakizashi is the shorter companion blade of the Japanese pattern, the same shape as the katana in a length that suits a small space. This one carries a 20 inch blade in 1095 high carbon steel, clay tempered, and runs 29.5 inches overall, with a black cord wrapped handle and a black lacquered wooden saya. It is forged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina, and it sells as a first Japanese piece or a gift.
Specification
| Blade length | 20 inches |
| Overall length | 29.5 inches |
| Handle length | 8 inches |
| Blade steel | 1095 high carbon steel, clay tempered |
| Blade finish | Polished bright, soft wavy hamon line following the edge |
| Guard | Oval iron tsuba, dark finish, pierced pattern |
| Pommel or collar | Brass habaki at the base of the blade |
| Handle | Black cord over white rayskin, bamboo peg |
| Scabbard | Black lacquered wooden saya, horn mouth, blue silk sageo |
| Engraving | 20 dollars per piece |
| Made in | Forged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina. |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life. |
The blade
The steel is 1095 high carbon. It takes a fine polish and answers to a clay tempered heat treat. Clay is laid along the spine before the quench so the spine and the edge cool at different rates. Once the blade is polished, a soft wavy line shows where they meet, and that line is the hamon, the mark the process leaves. The blade is single edged, with the gentle curve of this pattern. The honest trade is carbon steel, which darkens with use and rusts if left wet.
The fittings
The guard is the tsuba, the oval disc between blade and handle, iron, dark finished, with a pierced pattern. At the base sits the habaki, a brass collar that wedges into the mouth of the scabbard and keeps the blade seated. The tang runs the full length of the handle, held by a mekugi, a bamboo peg pushed through the side. Tap it out and the handle lifts off for cleaning.
The handle
The handle is the tsuka, 8 inches, long enough for two hands. White rayskin goes on first and black cord runs over it, crossed one turn against the next so small diamonds of rayskin show through. The wrap is pulled tight by hand, so the spacing shifts piece to piece. A black end cap closes the butt.
The scabbard
The scabbard is the saya, and it is wood, as this pattern asks for. The outside is lacquered black, and a horn piece at the mouth keeps the opening from wearing as the blade goes in and out. The habaki wedges into that mouth and holds the blade. A dark blue silk sageo is tied at the throat. Do not store the blade shut in the saya for months, since wood holds moisture.
Who it suits
This is the piece people choose when a full katana is more length than the room allows.
- Buyers wanting a first Japanese pattern blade
- Collectors adding the shorter companion to a katana
- Gift buyers after something that gets kept
What comes in the box
- The 1095 wakizashi
- The lacquered saya and sageo cord
- A care card
- A free engraving quote
Every piece is different
Every blade is forged, ground and finished by hand, so runs stay small and no two are alike. The hamon, the polish and the spacing of the wrap all vary from the photographs.
Looking after it
Wipe the blade dry after handling and never put it away wet. The gray patina carbon steel takes on is normal and protects it. Oil it lightly before storage, and do not leave it shut in the saya. The handle comes off at the peg for cleaning. More in our knife care and sharpening page.
Put a name on it
Laser engraving is 20 dollars per piece, added on this page. Around 30 characters fits on the blade or handle, and clean line art engraves better than a photograph. A proof image goes out before the laser runs, and it adds 3 to 5 business days. See the engraving page.
Questions buyers ask
What is a wakizashi? The shorter companion blade of the Japanese pattern, the same shape as a katana.
What is a hamon? The wavy line a clay tempered quench leaves along the edge, seen once the blade is polished.
Can the handle be taken off? Yes. A bamboo peg holds the tang, so tapping it out frees it.
Will this steel rust? It can. Dry it after handling and oil it before storage.
Is it legal to own? Sword and long blade laws vary by state, city and country, so check your local rules before ordering.
How should I display it? On a stand or a wall mount, away from damp and direct heat.
For the longer piece beside it, see our hand forged 1095 katana, and for a short blade in pattern welded steel the Damascus tanto. More sits in katana swords, in high carbon 1095, and in hand forged swords.