The Imperial Cloud Dragon Katana from Iron Tiger Forge is both an excellent entry point for the new collector of Japanese swords or a great sword for building out your collection at excellent value – It brings high quality fittings, blade geometry and a real clay tempered blade at a great price. The tsuba and kashira hilt fittings feature in finely rendered antiqued brass a pair of coiled and intricately entwined cloud dragons – a symbol of Imperial power, wisdom and courage.
The differentially-tempered blade is forged from 1050 high carbon steel and it has been clay tempered in the traditional manner to possess a genuine hamon to give it a keen and hard edge supported by a shock absorbing blade body and spine. Its habaki and seppa are brass and the tsuba, fuchi and kashira are crafted from antiqued brass. The wooden tsuka grip is fitted with panels of black lacquered genuine rayskin and are overlaid with well-knotted artificial silk ito in a pale gold hue. The artificial silk feels much better in the hand and more authentic then the many of the “scratchy feeling” lower grade chemical fiber ito used on many budget katana
The sword is matched with a wooden saya scabbard which is coated in fine textured black lacquer. This textured black lacquer is much more resistant to scuffs and scratches then the more common high gloss lacquer used on many reproduction Katana. The saya is finished with a knotted black and white flecked sageo to match and complete the sword. A cloth sword bag for storage and transport is included.
Elias Katsaros (verified owner) –
I just received the imperial cloud dragon Katana, beautiful and very sharp.
Anything I received from KOA since 2021, I had excellent service and excellent quality swords, so far 16 different swords. Thank you very much KOA
Elias