Elite

This Ronin Elite katana has been traditionally forged and laminated in the soshu kitae tradition (seven panel steel). This school was developed by the legendary Japanese smith Masamune, and combines panels of hard, medium, and soft steels. The core of the blade is formed from softer, more malleable steel giving it exceptional flexibility. A layer of slightly harder steel is bonded to each side of the core to add support. The last layers are very hard steel bonded to the top, bottom, and both sides of the core forming the ha (cutting edge) mune (back edge) and shinogi-ji (blade flats). This form of laminar construction provided for a sword that could be sharpened to a razor edge due to the hardened steel used for the ha, but was extremely resilient to battle damage due to its softer more flexible core.

Blade Lamination: Soshu Kitae seven panel steel
Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tempering: Differentially hardened (clayed) and water quenched      
Rockwell Hardness: 62 edge / 40 spine
Fittings: Traditionally themed tsuba fuchi, kashira, and menuki
Kurikata, Koiguch, Kojirii: Polished buffalo horn
Polish: Japanese finger stone polish.
Blade Length: 70 cm (end of habaki to tip)
Overall Length: 104 cm
Tang: Full tang with Ronin kanji.
Grip: 25 cm
Wrap: Silk ito over genuine ray skin.
Saya: Synthetic silk sageo, buffalo horn inserts.
Ability Level: Advanced dojo use (bamboo, tatami mats, etc)

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.