The differential hardening method, which involves tempering the blade at different temperatures, creates the characteristic hamon (tempered line) visible along the edge of the katana. This is one of ...

Katana-makers use two types of tamahagane: high-carbon, which is very hard and allows for a razor-sharp edge, and low-carbon, which is very tough and allows for shock absorption. A sword composed ...

The inimitable [Joe Scotto] has happened upon the katana layout, which has an inverse left-hand row stagger that lends symmetry to the design, and Scotto-ized it into a 33-key build that he says ...

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Just to be clear, Katana is an awesome name for ...