What is the difference between a display katana and a functional katana?

A katana is a type of Japanese sword that was traditionally used by samurai warriors in feudal Japan. It has a distinctive curved, single-edged blade that is usually around 60-70 cm long, and a long handle that can accommodate two hands. The blade is attached to the handle by a metal guard called tsuba, and secured by one or two bamboo pegs called mekugi.

 

Katanas are popular among sword enthusiasts and collectors, who may want to display them or use them for martial arts practice. However, not all katanas are created equal. There are different types of katanas depending on their quality, materials, craftsmanship and purpose. In this blog post, we will explore the main differences between a display katana and a functional katana.

Display Katana

A display katana is a sword that is designed for decorative purposes only. It is not intended to be used for cutting or striking anything, as it may break or damage easily. A display katana may look like a real katana, but it has some features that make it unsuitable for practical use.

Some of these features are:

 

•  - The blade is made of low-quality steel or stainless steel, which is brittle and prone to rusting.
•  - The blade may not have a proper edge or be sharpened at all.
•  - The blade may not have a hamon (a wavy pattern on the edge that indicates differential hardening) or any other signs of heat treatment.
•  - The blade may not have a full tang (a continuation of the blade into the handle) or have a rat-tail tang (a thin -metal rod that connects the blade to the handle).
•  - The mekugi (bamboo pegs) may be glued or welded to the handle instead of being removable.
•  - The tsuba (metal guard) may be loose or poorly fitted to the blade.
•  - The handle may be made of cheap wood or plastic instead of genuine rayskin and silk or cotton wrapping.
•  - The fittings (such as menuki, fuchi and kashira) may be low-quality metal or plastic instead of brass or coppe.

A display katana can be bought for relatively cheap prices online or in some stores. They are often sold as "wall hangers" or "cosplay swords". They can be used for decoration, costume accessories or props for movies and games. However, they should never be used for cutting tests, sparring sessions or any other activities that involve contact with another object.

 

Functional Katana

A functional katana is a type of katana that is designed for practical use. It can be used for cutting tests (tameshigiri), sparring (iaido) or other martial arts practice. A functional katana has several features that make it suitable for functional use.

Some of these features are:

 

•  - The blade is made of high-quality carbon steel such as 1060, 1095 or T10 steel that is strong and durable.
•  - The blade has an edge that is sharp enough to cut through various targets such as bamboo mats, paper rolls or tatami mats.
•  - The blade has an authentic hamon that results from differential hardening during forging. This creates a harder edge and softer spine for optimal performance and resilience.
•  - The blade has an appropriate bo-hi that reduces weight and improves balance without compromising strength.
•  - The tang is long, thick and forged together with the blade as one piece. This ensures stability and durability of the sword structure.
•  - The mekugi are present, secure and removable. This allows you to disassemble and reassemble the sword for maintenance purposes.
•  - The tsuba fits snugly on the tang without any gaps or wobbles. This protects your hand from sliding onto the blade during use.
•  - The handle is wrapped with genuine ray-skin (samegawa) and silk or cotton cord (ito). This provides a comfortable grip and prevents slippage during use.
•  - The fittings are made of high-quality metal such as brass, copper or iron. They add weight, balance and aesthetic value to the sword.

A functional katana usually costs more than a display katana because it uses superior materials and craftsmanship. It may also come with accessories such as bags, scabbards (saya)or certificates that attest its quality and authenticity. A functional katana can be an excellent tool for your martial arts training if you respect its power and care for it properly.

 

In conclusion, there are two main types of katanas: display katanas and functional katanas. Display katanas are meant for decoration only and have low quality and performance. Functional katanas are meant for use in martial arts activities and have high quality and performance.

 

Find Your Perfect Functional Katana at Spartan Blades Club

Whether you want to expand your samurai sword collection or you’re ready for action, our katanas are high-quality and reliable. We make buying a sword easy with lots of photos, simple check-out, and helpful customer service. Explore our collection, customize your own sword, or find replicas from your favorite mangas, movies, and T.V. shows today.

 

If you’re looking for other types of traditional Japanese swords, check out our odachi, wakizashi, or tachi swords instead!