Katana

Get ready for the ultimate do-it-yourself project: a battle-worthy handmade Japanese katana (long sword). In this one-of-a-kind video, Master Bladesmith Wally Hayes takes you step by step through the process of designing and building a Katana-Tac – a simplified tactical katana suitable for traditional martial arts practice or modern battlefield use. Through detailed instruction and close-up camerawork, you'll learn exactly how to design, profile, grind, temper, polish, and haft your very own working katana using a minimum of tools and equipment. In the process, you'll also learn some of the most closely guarded secrets of both traditional and modern-day swordmaking, including the construction of a low-cost charcoal forge and the exact process for Japanese-style clay tempering. Once your blade is properly tempered, Hayes teaches you how to polish it to reveal the hamon (temper line) and haft it with a traditional cord-wrapped handle. This is one of the most extraordinary instructional videos ever produced and a rare look at the craft of a master swordmaker. For information purposes only.