The Daimyo 1095 line is the quintessence of a Japanese sword - beauty and function perfectly united. This is a result of a sophisticated process, revealing a Japanese weapon's traditional form enclosed in a hand-forged blade, brought to a deadly and beautiful mirror finish. At the heart of this blade is a high-carbon steel, so pure it does not demand the folding techniques used to removed impurities from lesser metal. The 1095 blades exhibit outstanding durability, a superior edge and the ability to outperform traditional materials. Efficient and meticulously crafted, the Dynasty Forge Daimyo 1095 line is hand-polished from imported Japanese stones. As they sharpen and clean the blade by hand, our polishers bring out the subtle details of the smith's metalwork. This intensive polishing defines the lines of the blade and enlivens the Hamon, the fine grain of the steel and its color and texture. These high-performance weapons exude superior balance and craftsmanship. Our 1095 blades are available from 28.5" to 32.5" in length. The blades with Hi are ideal for the practice of Iaido, at 2.2lbs with fittings. Without Hi, the blades are made from the ground up for Tameshigiri, including added Niku and mass (2.6lbs).