Samurai Swords for Sale - Spice up Your Sword Collection

If you're into sword collecting, then at some point you will have to consider adding an authentic samurai sword to your collection. They will add a certain credibility and mystique to your sword collection.

While sword collecting can be a time consuming and fairly expensive hobby, the potential payback both emotionally and financially can be immense.

Samurai swords first came into prominence in the middle ages amongst people from the Orient. A samurai sword (if you have not seen one) typically has a very sharp edge. They were often used in combat between warriors and during war. These unique swords were created by craftsmen who employed forging and heat treating methods to make these unique swords that could withstand intense pressure in battle without breaking while being sharp enough to inflict maximum harm to an enemy.

Types of Samurai Swords

There are typically 3 main types of these Japanese swords

Katana - these are probably the most popular samurai swords around. They typically measure more than 24 inches and were the most common companion to a samurai warrior. One of the distinct features of the katana sword is its look - which is curved, slim, single edged blade and has a long grip so you can hold it with both hands. It is known for its sharpness so you have to be very careful when you have one in your possession.

Wakizashi - these are smaller than the katana and typically measure between 12 to 24 inches. It's been said that the Wakizashi were usually worn together with the katana by samurai warriors. The katana and Wakizashi were companion swords used by samurai warriors to monstrous effect in battle.

Tachi - these swords tend to be a bit more curved and generally longer than the katana. Its easy to mistake a katana for a tachi and vice versa. The manner in which a samurai sword was worn was used to identify if it was a tachi or a katana. It was traditionally used while samurai rode on horseback as it was long enough to hurt soldiers on foot.

While it is good to go to a physical shop and see a sword before buying, this might be impossible if you live in a town or city that does not have a sword shop. Make sure you do your due diligence before buying.
Adding a samurai sword to your collection will make a great addition to your collection plus a fantastic gift to someone you love or respect.

Pay Close Attention: I probably shouldn't share this with you but I want to help you as I know there are only a select group of people who have mastered the art of sword collecting and know where to get Medieval Swords

Take a minute to check out the next page where you'll find Limited Edition Swords, Medieval Swords and Japanese Samurai Swords

History of the Samurai Sword

By John Moxly

The samurai sword, also known as the katana, is a Japanese sword that typically has a curved single-edge blade longer than 23 inches and a long grip. The samurai sword has a rich history dating back from ancient Japan; it gained its popularity among waring clans in 12th century Japan and has traditionally been associated with an elite group of Japanese swordsman.

Origin of the term Samurai

The word samurai comes from the Japanese word 'saburau,' which means 'to serve.' The term originated as early as A.D. 702 and described highly-trained imperial guards who were loyal to the emperor.

History of the Samurai People

The samurai quickly rose to the status of elite swordsman and as early as the 12th century had established themselves as the knights of Japan. Between the 12th century and the 16th century, the samurai were active in a number of armed clashes, insurrections and battles over control of Japan.

The samurai were treated with great reverence and through the 17th century could legally kill any common person who did not show them sufficient respect. They lived by their own moral code, called Bushido, which deemed a death by enemy to be dishonorable; for this reason, the Samurai would often commit suicide if death on the battlefield appeared unavoidable.

Influence of Samurai on World War II

The era of the samurai people faded during the 19th century due to Western influences and the increased popularity of guns as a battlefield weapon. By World War II, modern militarism had swept through Japan and the iconic Samurai, with his trademark ponytail and sword, ceased to exist.

However, the tenets of the samurai people lived on into the modern era. Japanese forces during WW II were infamous for their intense loyalty, which led to them to engage in kamikaze missions and other acts of self-sacrifice to protect the Japanese state.

Construction of the Samurai Sword

One of the distinctions of the samurai sword was its effectiveness as a weapon for both slashing and piercing in the battlefield. This versatility was due to its construction, which involved two different kinds of steel.

The construction of a samurai sword takes place over approximately 6 months. The process begins with iron-bearing sand and charcoal being heated to temperatures of up 2,500 Fahrenheit in order to form a high-quality steel called 'tamahagane.'

From there, the sword is sent to a swordsmith who continues to forge the blade by heating, cooling and hammering it into the classic samurai shape. This is an intensive process and up to a third of swords will be damaged before they are finished.

After the swordsmith successfully forms the sword, it is passed on to a sword polisher, who will spend weeks honing the sword's edge by rubbing it with a number of grinding stones. These stones can be worth up to $1,000 and have often been passed down from prior generations.

Lastly, the sword's handle will be adorned with leather, gold, stones or other decor, before it is returned to the swordsmith for one last viewing in order to be deemed worthy for a samurai warrior. In general, over 15 different men will be involved in the creation of one samurai sword.

John Moxly has spent more than 30 years working as a writer in various facets of the outdoors and survival industries. He is an avid knife collector and buys all of his samurai swords from Knife Depot.

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