Dragon Katana – Samurai Sword – 1095 High Carbon Steel – 42"

This 42-inch dragon katana pairs a traditional samurai sword blade with a handle unlike anything else in our collection: the entire tsuka is sculpted in high relief, a coiling dragon winding down its full length to a carved dragon-head pommel, set off by a red accent stone and finished in bone-toned ivory and black. A gold-tone round tsuba guards the hand, and the sharpened 27-inch blade rides in a glossy black lacquered scabbard with gold-tone fittings and a tied cord, in the classic Japanese style. The proportions follow katana tradition: a 27-inch curved, single-edged blade — squarely in the historical range for a full-size katana — with an extended 12-inch two-handed grip. Along the edge runs a visible temper-line pattern, the wave-like boundary that katana collectors know as the hamon. The 1095 High Carbon Steel Blade The blade is forged from 1095 high-carbon steel — 0.95% carbon, prized in sword making for its hardness and ability to take and hold a keen, sharpened edge. It's an apt choice for a katana: Japanese swords were historically made from high-carbon steel, hardened most at the edge, and the wave-patterned temper line along this blade echoes that tradition. Like all high-carbon steel, the blade is not stainless. Wipe it clean after handling and keep it lightly oiled — the same simple ritual samurai performed for centuries — and it will hold its finish and edge for a lifetime of display. The Carved Dragon Handle In place of the usual cord-wrapped grip, this katana's handle is fully sculpted: dragon scales, coils, and claws wind around the tsuka in carved relief, ending in a dragon's head at the pommel, with a red accent stone set into the design. In Japanese tradition the dragon is a guardian symbol of wisdom, strength, and protection — fitting ornament for a samurai sword, and the detail that makes this katana read from across a room. The grip runs a full 12 inches, giving both hands generous placement in the traditional katana style, and the carved texture locks the hands in place. Black Lacquered Scabbard The included saya is finished in glossy black lacquer with decorative gold-tone end fittings and a tied hanging cord — the classic pairing for a display katana. Unlike leather, a lacquered scabbard doesn't hold moisture against the blade, so the sword can rest in its saya on a stand or wall mount between wipe-downs. Explore our full katana collection, including our clay-tempered 1095 katana and Damascus steel katana. Sword Specifications Overall length: 42" Blade length: 27" Hilt length: 12" Blade material: 1095 high-carbon steel (0.95% carbon) Edge: Sharpened, single-edged with curved profile Temper line: Visible wave-pattern hamon-style line Guard: Round gold-tone tsuba Handle: Sculpted dragon relief with dragon-head pommel and red accent stone Included: Black lacquered scabbard (saya) with gold-tone fittings and cord Primary classification: Katana (samurai sword) Design inspiration: Traditional Japanese katana with dragon-themed fittings Sword Care Wipe the blade clean of fingerprints and moisture after every handling, and apply a light coat of mineral oil or sword oil before returning it to the scabbard — 1095 high-carbon steel will rust if neglected. Keep the sword in a dry environment and inspect the blade periodically. The lacquered saya and carved handle need only an occasional dusting; avoid harsh cleaners on either. Because the edge is sharpened, handle the blade with care and store it out of reach of children. Frequently Asked Questions Is this katana sharpened? Yes. The 27-inch blade ships with a sharpened cutting edge in the traditional single-edged katana style. Handle it with the respect a sharpened sword deserves, and store it in its scabbard between handlings. What is the wavy line along the edge? That's the temper-line pattern — what katana collectors call a hamon. On traditional Japanese swords, the hamon marks the boundary where the edge steel was hardened more than the spine, giving a hard cutting edge backed by a resilient body. It's the signature detail people look for on a katana blade. Is 1095 steel good for a katana? Yes — it's one of the most popular steels in modern katana making. Its high carbon content lets it harden well and hold a fine edge, in the same spirit as the high-carbon tamahagane steel of historical Japanese swords. The trade-off is that it isn't stainless: it wants a wipe-down and light oiling, the same care ritual real katanas have always required. What's the difference between a katana and a samurai sword? "Samurai sword" is the umbrella term for the blades samurai carried — including the shorter wakizashi and tanto. The katana is the most famous of them: a curved, single-edged sword usually around 40 inches overall, worn edge-up and drawn with two hands. At 42 inches with a 27-inch blade, this sword is a full-size katana. What does the dragon symbolize? In Japanese tradition the dragon is a water-dwelling guardian — a symbol of wisdom, strength, and protection rather than destruction. Dragon fittings have adorned Japanese swords for centuries, which makes it a natural theme for a collector's katana. How should I display it? A traditional horizontal katana stand (katanakake) shows it best, blade resting in the lacquered saya. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from humidity, give the blade an occasional oiled wipe-down, and the sword will stay display-ready indefinitely.