Hanwei Hunter Katana – L6/Bainite Shobu Zukuri

This Hunter Katana by Paul Chen / Hanwei has a full tang shinogi zukuri (curved with yokote and shinogi close to the mune) blade forged from L6 tool and bainite steel. Both these types of steel are incredibly tough and durable, often used for machine parts or structural applications that absorbs impact or undergo frequent stress.

Due to the challenges faced during heat treatment and for these types of steel, there are very few smiths that are able to produce a blade like this. Hanwei has mastered this process by using L6 tool steel billets as a starting point, forging, shaping, and clay tempering to achieve the Bainite and Martensite structures. The results in an edge hardness ranging from 62 to 64 HRC while the back is around 33 to 38 HRC.

This battle ready masterpiece suitable as a display piece or for tameshigiri is equipped with a unique and exquisite looking blackened tsuba with gold accents that feature a raptor stalking a prey. The wooden tsuka is then covered with samegawa before the tsukamaki uses a green silk ito to hold it in place. The overall design of this katana is then completed with a green striped lacquered saya with a sageo.