Custom-Made Katana
The Process
How Your Custom Katana Is Made
Design It
Build your katana above: steel, hamon, saya, tsuba, handle wrap, sageo and more — the price updates as you choose.
We Forge It
Your exact configuration is sent to our partner forge, where smiths hand-forge, heat-treat and polish your blade to spec.
Assembly & QC
Fittings are mounted, the edge and finish are inspected piece by piece before your katana is approved for shipping.
Delivered to You
Your one-of-a-kind katana ships insured and tracked, protected in a padded case, straight to your door.
Typical timeline: 7–10 days of forging & assembly, then 7–21 business days of shipping. Each sword is made from scratch for you — good steel takes time.
The Craft
A Katana That Is Truly Yours
A custom katana is more than a sword — it is your idea, forged in steel. With our configurator you control every element of a full-size, hand-forged Japanese katana: the steel of the blade, the style of the hamon temper line, the saya (scabbard), the tsuba (guard), the ito handle wrap, the samegawa rayskin, the sageo cord, and even a personal engraving on the blade. Every katana is assembled to order — no two are the same.
Choosing Your Steel
1060 carbon steel is the classic choice: tough, reliable and forgiving, ideal for a first custom build or display piece. T10 tool steel is harder and holds a finer edge, and takes a vivid, genuine hamon when clay-tempered. Damascus (folded) steel shows the layered grain pattern created by folding the billet, a look collectors love. If you are unsure, our guide to katana steels breaks down every option.
The Hamon: Signature of the Blade
The hamon is the visible temper line created when a clay-coated blade is quenched — the traditional differential-hardening method used on Japanese swords for centuries. On clay-tempered configurations the hamon is real, not etched: a genuine transition between the hardened edge and the softer spine. Choose a calm suguha (straight) line or a wilder midare pattern to give your blade its signature.
Fittings, Saya & Handle
The personality of a katana lives in its mounting. Pick a lacquered saya in glossy or matte finish, match or contrast your ito wrap and sageo cord, and choose a tsuba from classic round iron guards to sculpted dragon and floral designs. Genuine rayskin under the wrap gives the handle its authentic texture and grip. If you want to understand each part before you choose, see our illustrated guide to the parts of a katana.
Full-Tang, Functional Construction
Every custom blade is hand-forged with a full tang secured by bamboo mekugi pegs — the same construction used on our ready-made katanas. This is a real, functional sword built for collectors and practitioners, not a wall-hanger casting. To see how our swords are made from raw steel to final polish, read how your katana is made.
A Gift That Cannot Be Duplicated
With optional blade engraving — a name, a date, a motto in kanji — a custom katana is one of the most personal gifts you can give: for a martial artist’s grading, a milestone birthday, a groomsman, or your own collection. You designed it; it exists nowhere else in the world.
Questions
Custom Katana — FAQ
How long does a custom katana take?
Each katana is forged and assembled to order, which typically takes 7–10 days, followed by 7–21 business days of insured, tracked shipping. You will receive the tracking number as soon as your sword ships.
Is a custom katana a real, functional sword?
Yes. Every custom katana is hand-forged from real high-carbon steel with a full tang held by bamboo mekugi pegs — traditional, functional construction, not a decorative casting.
Which steel should I choose?
1060 carbon steel is the tough, reliable classic. T10 tool steel is harder, holds a finer edge and shows a vivid genuine hamon when clay-tempered. Damascus folded steel adds a layered grain pattern prized by collectors. See our steel guide for details.
Can I have the blade engraved?
Yes — select the engraving option in the configurator to add a name, date or motto to the blade, in Latin letters or kanji.
How much does a custom katana cost?
The price depends entirely on your configuration — steel, hamon, fittings and options each affect the total. The configurator shows your exact price live as you build, before you order.
Is shipping really free?
Yes, worldwide standard shipping is free, insured and tracked. See our shipping policy for delivery estimates by region.
What if there is a problem with my katana?
Every sword passes quality control before shipping. If your katana arrives damaged or with a manufacturing defect, contact us and we will make it right — see our return & refund policy.
Want to see what our customers received? Visit our happy customers gallery.