The Praying Mantis is a symbol
of cunning and power in Japanese culture and is consequently a highly respected
theme in Samurai
swords. Built on our new L6/Bainite
blade (detailed below) in the Shobu Zukuri style with Bo-Hi, and featuring
superb koshirae,
the Praying Mantis is a very
desirable and functional piece. The subdued green silk ito and deep brown
of the lacquered
saya provide handsome contrast
to the dark copper and golden accents of the tsuba, fuchi and kashira.
The stalking mantis lies in
wait for his next prey, mirroring the power and grace in this exceptional
katana.
Specifications:
Overall: 41”
Nagasa: 29” Bainite
Tsuka: 11 ”
Weight: 2lb 8oz
L6/Bainite:
Bainite is a structure of high-carbon
steel that combines great strength with excellent flexibility and shock
absorption characteristics. It has been known as an exemplary Katana blade
component for a number of years but its use has been restricted to a few
top-class master smiths, due to the difficulties involved in performing
the exacting heat treatment procedures necessary for the production of
a Bainite blade body in combination with the very hard Martensite Yakiba
(edge section) required for Katana blades.
Hanwei has now mastered this
difficult process, using billets of L-6 tool steel (a very tough high-carbon
low-alloy steel) as a starting point. Blades are forged and shaped in the
normal way, then carefully heat treated to achieve the required Bainite
and
Martensite structures before
final polishing.
| SH2359 Praying Mantis Katana |
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