Ryumon Sceptre Damascus Steel Katana with Copper Saya - Genuine Ray Skin; Exquisite Gilt Pattern

Product Description

Inspired by legendary ancient Japanese imperial swords, Ryumon's striking, illustrious "Sceptre" Katana is sumptuously appointed and painstakingly handcrafted, exuding grace and imperial might. Stately and elegant, though it is, the Sceptre is no mere showpiece, best relegated to the display case. On the contrary, this exquisite beauty is also a savage beast, with capable muscle and unabashed ruthlessness hiding beneath its noble trappings.The impressive 28 1/2" tanto blade is forged from Damascus steel, a tough-as-nails high carbon steel characterized by its vividly contrasting layers. Master metalsmiths employ a centuries-old technique to achieve the distinctive steel's breathtaking whirlwind of ripples, waves and swirls. Top grade steels are hand-fired in white-hot forges, folded, hammered, quenched, then fired again. Metalsmiths meticulously repeat the process - sometimes for days on end - until the desired layering is attained, at which time the steel is acid etched to highlight the intense stratification. It's a slow, laborious process that has changed little since its development in the Middle Ages - no automation, every step diligently performed by hand. Like the Sceptre as a whole, Damascus steel is more than just a pretty face, however. The Sceptre's sleek Damascus steel blade is carefully hand-beveled and honed for an impossibly sharp edge that slashes cleanly through rolled straw mats, thick bamboo and other tenacious materials. The upswept tanto point yields awesome piercing and penetrating power, as well. Cast from traditional antiquated brass, the handsomely designed guard beautifully offsets the silky smooth Damascus blade. Rosettes, rays of light and other features blanket the guard in delightfully tactile raised relief; the splendid relief design is echoed on the Sceptre's brass pommel and subtle menuki, the latter tucked away subtly beneath the brown cord-wrapped genuine ray skin handle. The Sceptre's rustic copper saya - or scabbard - is a work of art in its own right. Opulently adorned in delicately cast gilt ornamentation from top to bottom, the brilliant saya provides the ideal housing for a sword of this caliber. Unique calico cord wrapping affords the perfect finishing touch to the unique saya, and the sword-and-sheath ensemble as a whole. A rare masterpiece, the Ryumon Sceptre Katana is the jewel of any fine cutlery or Eastern art collection. It also looks fantastic on its own - set on a mantle, mounted to a wall, leaned in a curio case or any other presentation. And since it's from the sword experts at Ryumon, you can rest assured this alluring Damascus masterpiece is built to last a lifetime and beyond - a fine family heirloom sure to be cherished for generations to come!