The Dynasty Forge 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 Daimyo 1095 line is hand-polished from imported Japanese stones. As they sharpen and clean the blade, 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 O-Katana is a high performance cutter with an extended 12" Tsuka (Handle) with a 31.5" blade weighing aprox 2.8 lbs.