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In 2024, samurai swords remain a favorite among enthusiasts and collectors, and if you’re reading this, chances are you’re one of them. Some people love the feeling of cutting through tatami, while others appreciate their beauty and craftsmanship, adding these iconic swords to their collections as a piece of history.
However, with so many options available, finding a good samurai sword can be difficult. The market is flooded with products of varying quality and prices, which makes the selection process even more confusing.
With a clear understanding of what makes a good blade, we have curated a list of some of best samurai swords based on their materials and craftsmanship. All swords are forged in Longquan, a place historically known for the art of swordmaking, so you don’t have to worry about their quality.
In this post, we will share our top picks to help you find your fully functional samurai sword, whether you are looking for an affordable option, a heavy-cutting katana, or a unique piece for your wall. Here are our top picks.
- Best Overall: Michonne Katana
- Best for Heavy cutting: Watanabe no Tsuna
- Best Material: Kumagai Naozane
- Best for Display: Masamune Sephiroth
- Best Budget Friendly: Katō Kiyomasa
- Best For Begginers: Miyamoto Musashi
- Best Samurai Sword set: Konishi Yukinaga
- Best Tachi: Miyazaki
- Customize Your Katana
What to Look For in a Samurai Sword
When we talk about samurai swords, we usually mean real, battle-ready swords that are made for cutting. That’s what we have listed in this article.
However, some of you might be looking for a unique decorative piece for your room, or something that’s not focused on cutting.
In that case, you might want a sword that doesn’t need to be sharp or made from the best materials.
Buying a real samurai sword can be expensive, and if you don’t plan to use it for more than decoration, you might be spending money unnecessarily.
If you want to practice or cut with it, there are some other things you should consider.
Steel Type
Practical cutting swords should be sharp and for sharp swords are some specific type of steel used. Make sure your blade is made of 1045, 1060 or 1095 carbon steel. These ensure durability, edge retention and toughness.
Tang
Another important spec for cutting blades. For most swords, there are 2 types of tang which are rat tang and full tang. Make sure your blade is full tang. In this article, all the blades feature a full tang.
Best Samurai Swords: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Michonne Katana
Specifications
| Overall Length | 104 cm |
| Blade Length | 71 cm |
| Weight | 1179 g |
| Blade Material | 1095 High Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $653.99 |
Pros
- Fully functional replica of Walking Dead
- Made with high-quality 1095 clay-tempered carbon steel
- Beautiful traditional design with natural hamon
- Includes premium fittings and leather-wrapped saya with shoulder strap
- Authentic movie replica details (triple crescent moon engraving)
Cons
- This sword may be a bit pricey for some
- The white wrapped handle can get dirty easily, be careful when cutting water bottles or bamboo
The Michonne Katana should not be mistaken for a fantasy sword. This gets the overall top spot because it fits both historical and movie sword replicas. When I say historical, I mean a samurai katana made with traditional methods and high-quality materials. This razor-sharp samurai sword meets all criteria.
The blade is forged using clay-tempered 1095 high carbon steel and is repeatedly heat-treated and hand-forged to remove impurities. The clay tempering process makes the blade strong and flexible, also resulting in a nice, natural-looking hamon. The blade’s length is around 71 cm with no bo-hi (groove) in it.
Near the habaki (blade collar), the sword features an engraving of a triple crescent moon (Goddess Symbol), which is a detail from the Michonne Katana. The tsuba (handguard) is colored in gold with dark accents.
The sword comes with a leather-wrapped hardwood saya (scabbard) with a shoulder strap, silk ito/sageo (handle wrapping and cord), genuine same’ (rayskin), and premium brass fittings.
This katana is versatile and can be used in multiple ways. It’s a great choice for dojo training and iaido practice. It also works well for cutting practice, whether you’re working with soft targets or more advanced materials.
The only thing to be cautious about when using it is the white handle wrap, as it can easily become dirty when cutting items like liquid-filled bottles, watermelons, or bamboo.
Beyond practical use, it makes an excellent gift, and its beautiful design makes it ideal for display or as part of a collection for enthusiasts.
Best for Heavy cutting: Watanabe no Tsuna
Specifications
| Overall Length | 107 cm |
| Blade Length | 72 cm |
| Weight | 1150 g |
| Blade Material | Tempered 1095 High Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $869.99 |
Pros
- The blade is made of hardened 1095 steel
- Perfect for heavy cutting
Cons
- No bo-hi
- Pricey
Watanabe no Tsuna is the best katana for heavy cutting in this list. It is a clay-tempered katana crafted from differentially-hardened 1095 high carbon steel. This means that the edge is exceptionally hard and capable of maintaining sharpness, making this sword a real heavy cutter.
The blade features a deep curve (koshi sori), 2.8 cm sori at the deepest point and a 5.5cm kissaki.
The tsuba is made of alloy, while the fuchi, kashira, and menuki are copper with a flower motif. The tsuka is made of wood and is wrapped in genuine black rayskin and cotton ito.
The saya is dark brown hardwood with rayskin wrap, lacquered to reveal the wood grain. Polished black buffalo horn accents complete the design.
Best Material: Kumagai Naozane
Specifications
| Overall Length | 104 cm |
| Blade Length | 71 cm |
| Weight | 998 g |
| Blade Material | Tamahagane |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $3,689.99 |
Pros
- Is made with premium tamahagane steel
- Natural hamon
- Shining apperence
- Fully functional
- Highly polished blade with detailed craftsmanship.
Cons
- Pricey
- No bo-hi
- Requires careful maintenance to preserve the blade’s quality
Made of the best steel known for making blades, Kumagai Naozane is the samurai spirit itself. Two months Is spended for crafting this weapon.
The sword is crafted with traditional methods, and features a blade made from tamahaganel steel, which is created combining iron sand and charcoal.
The blade features a natural hamon that is evident from the clay tempering process. The cloudy hamon line and grain pattern are clearly visible and add a very unique, cool looking texture to the blade.
The tsuka is wrapped in black leather and genuine rayskin. This provides a traditional and secure grip, complementing the blade’s refined appearance.The blade lacks a bo-hi, but there is much to discuss about its functionality.
As you may have already understood, this is a fully functional katana. You can easily cut through bamboo, small trees, bones, iron,copper wire etc..
However, I don’t suggest using this $3,689 sword just for cutting bamboo or bones. If you are a serious collector and the price is not a problem, this will absolutely be a unique and authentic piece to add to your collection.
Best for Display: Masamune Sephiroth
Specifications
| Overall length | 135 cm |
| Blade Length | 90 cm |
| Weight | 1500 g |
| Blade Material | 1095 High Carbon Steel |
| Specifications | Hand-Sharpened, Full Tang, Battle-Ready |
| Price | $439.99 |
Pros
- Hand Forged 1095 High Carbon Steel
- Features Premium Iron Fittings
- Fully Functional
- Eye-catching size, perfect for display
Cons
- No hammon
If you want a samurai sword that is both eye-catching and battle-ready, the Masamune Sephiroth replica is our top pick. I mean, who isn’t going to look at a huge katana? Masamune Sephiroth is also listed as one of our best fantasy sword replicas for this year.
Although it may look like a katana, this is actually a Nodachi or Odachi, which is known as the best samurai sword used for open battlefields. Historically, they were made using the same techniques and materials.
This Japanese sword has an overall length of 135 cm (53.1 inches). The blade is forged using 1095 high carbon steel and is both strong and flexible. Along the blade, it features a fuller, which helps reduce its weight and improve balance.
Like all the swords in this list, the blade is full-tang and features a hand-engraved Mei (signature). The sword comes with silk sageo/ito, genuine same’ (rayskin), premium iron fittings, and a black matte hardwood saya.
It is a very good choice for dojo and iaido use, cutting practice, display, or collection. It is durable enough for cutting through tameshigiri, bamboo, bones, small trees, etc.
Check Nodachi vs Katana comparisson.
Best Budget Friendly: Katō Kiyomasa
Specifications
| Overall Length | 104 cm |
| Blade Length | 71 cm |
| Weight | 998 g |
| Blade Material | 1095 High Carbon Steel |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $265 |
Pros
- Hand forged 1095 high carbon steel
- Fully functional and battle-ready
- Durable for various cutting practices
- Affordable
- Option for engraving
Cons
- The simple disc guard lacks the intricate details of traditional katana guards
This sword features a Unokubi-Zukuri style blade. Near the crossguard the back is thick, narrows around the middle, and then thickens again as it approaches the point.
The back is thick near the crossguard, narrows around the middle, and then thickens again as it approaches the point.
Material used is hardened 1095 high carbon steel, which is heat-treated and hand-forged. It has a full tang with a hand-engraved Mei (signature). If you are wondering if you can use it, the answer is simple. Yes, it is fully functional and battle-ready.
The sword comes with a black lacquered and painted hardwood saya. The tsuka is wrapped in silk and genuine rayskin and features iron and alloy fittings.
This practical katana is suitable for dojo use, gifts, cutting practice and display. It can handle tameshigiri, bamboo, bones, and iron wire.
Best For Begginers: Miyamoto Musashi
Specifications
| Overall Length | 104 cm |
| Blade Length | 71 cm |
| Weight | 998 g |
| Blade Material | Folded 1060 Steel Blade |
| Usage | Fully functional |
| Price | $189.99 |
Pros
- High-quality, traditional craftsmanship
- Versatile for various uses
- Affordable
Cons
- No engraving on the blade
- No hamon
If you are a beginner thinking of buying your first real katana at an affordable price, this is one of the best options.The Miyamoto Musashi is a traditionally crafted folded-steel sword.
It comes with a black lacquered hardwood saya, copper fittings, and a tsuka wrapped in synthetic leather and genuine rayskin. The tang is full and secured with two bamboo pegs.
The blade of this sword is made with 1060 folded carbon steel and it features a bo-hi. You can use this handmade katana for one of these purposes: cutting practice, gifts, display, self protection or dojo use.
Best Samurai Sword set: Konishi Yukinaga
Specifications
| Length, KATANA | Blade: 28.7″ (72.9 cm), Overall: 40.6″ (103.1 cm) |
| Length, WAKIZASHI | Blade: 20″ (50.8 cm), Overall: 30″ (76.2 cm) |
| Length, TANTO | Blade: 12″ (30.5 cm), Overall: 20″ (50.8 cm) |
| Blade Material | 1095 High Carbon Steel |
| Specifications | Hand-Sharpened, Full Tang, Battle-Ready |
| Price | $836.99 |
Pros
- All swords feature same design
- All are functional
- Practise with the Daisho set
Cons
- Pricey
This katana sword set includes three of the swords used by samurai warriors: a tanto knife, a wakizashi, and a katana. They all feature the same design, colors, and fittings, and are forged with the same methods and materials.
The blades have the Unokubi-Zukuri design, with a spine that thins out around the middle and thickens again near the tip. The tanto blade length is 30 cm (12 inches), the wakizashi is 51 cm (20 inches), and the katana is 73 cm (28.7 inches).
The handles are made of genuine rayskin and wrapped with dark brown silk ito. The saya (scabbard) is made of hardwood and finished with black lacquer and white painted details.
All of them are full-tang with hand-engraved Mei (signature). They are suitable for dojo and iaido use, as well as for gifts, cutting practice, and display.
Best Tachi: Miyazaki
Specifications
| Overall length | 104 cm |
| Blade Length | 71 cm |
| Weight | 1225.8 g |
| Blade Material | High Grade Damascus Folded Steel |
| Specifications | Hand-Sharpened, Full Tang, Battle-Ready |
| Price | $538.99 |
Pros
- Functional Tachi
- Highly decorative
- Beautiful Damascus pattern blade
Many new collectors often face the tachi vs katana decision when choosing their first samurai sword. Although the tachi was originally a horseback weapon, in modern times their usage is pretty much the same, and the decision is based more on personal preference.
The Miyazaki is more like a ceremonial sword than other types in this list, yet it is functional. It features a typical square tachi guard that is colored in gold with dark elements.
The handle is wrapped in black rayskin and brown silk ito, and secured with two mekugi pegs. The sword itself is forged using high-grade Damascus folded steel that is close to 1095 high carbon steel, so it is a very good choice for heavy cutting as well.
Customize Your Katana
Why don’t you make your own best samurai sword personalized. You can design your katana by yourself and let the swordsmith do the art.
You can choose the length of the blade, the type of steel, style of the handle, different guard designs, colors and even signature engravings.
Except normal high carbon steel used for swords you also can choose the famous Tamahagane, the same steel Japanese swordsmith used at the time, with the same traditional methods.
This level of customization will ensure that your hand forged Japanese katana will be unique and tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
The prices vary from $190 – $3,700, depending on materials you choose.
Last Words
When selecting a katana, consider the materials, craftsmanship, and your intended use. Whether you’re a beginner or a serious collector, finding the right sword to match your needs is essential. Before purchasing, make sure to check local laws regarding the ownership and carrying of swords to ensure compliance with regulations.
FAQ
How much is an authentic samurai sword?
The price of an authentic samurai sword can vary widely depending on its quality, craftsmanship, and historical value. Generally, a genuine, traditionally forged samurai sword starts from around $5,000 and can go up to $50,000 or more for high-quality or antique pieces.
How sharp is a real katana?
A real katana is extremely sharp, capable of cutting through bamboo and other materials with ease. Its razor-sharp edge is designed for clean, precise cuts, requiring careful handling to avoid injury.
What is a samurai sword called?
Samurai used several types of swords, each with different names. The most well-known is the katana. See our Samurai Sword vs Katana comparison to learn more about other types.
How much does a katana cost?
The cost of a katana can vary significantly depending on its quality and craftsmanship. A standard production katana can range from $100 to $1,000, while a high-quality, hand-forged katana can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Authentic antique katanas can be even more expensive, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars.
How heavy is a katana?
A typical katana weighs between 1.1 to 1.5 kilograms (about 2.4 to 3.3 pounds). The weight can vary depending on the blade length, thickness, and materials used, but katanas are generally designed to be lightweight for swift handling and precise movements.
