What carbon steel grades do you offer?

Our collection includes 1045, 1060, 1095, T10 tool steel, manganese steel, spring steel, and Damascus (folded) steel. Each grade offers different characteristics: 1045 for affordability, 1060 for balanced performance, 1095 for edge quality, T10 for hamon display, and Damascus for layered visual patterns.

How does 1045 compare to higher carbon steels?

1045 is tougher and more forgiving than 1095 or T10 steel but achieves a less refined edge. It resists chipping well and requires less frequent maintenance. For collectors prioritizing durability and ease of care over peak edge performance, 1045 is an excellent choice.

Can 1045 katanas be clay tempered?

1045 can be heat treated but produces more subtle hamon effects than higher carbon steels. The lower carbon content limits the dramatic differential hardening that creates bold hamon lines. For prominent hamon display, consider T10 or 1095 steel.

What distinguishes fold-forged Damascus from other Damascus construction methods?

Fold-forged Damascus is specifically characterized by the fold-and-reweld cycle that geometrically multiplies the layer count from the starting billet. Beginning with a forge-welded combination of high and low carbon steel, the smith heats the billet to forging temperature, folds it in half, and hammer-welds the folded halves together - each fold doubles the layer count. This cycle is repeated until the desired layer count is achieved. The distinction from other pattern welded approaches is in this multiplication mechanism: fold-forged Damascus creates its pattern from the fold cycle, while non-folded pattern steel creates its pattern from the initial arrangement of different steel pieces without the subsequent folding. Fold-forged Damascus has a specific fine-grained character from the layer multiplication that distinguishes it from coarser pattern arrangements created by initial welded geometry alone.

Which steel produces the best hamon?

Updated Feb 2026

T10 tool steel produces the most dramatic and active hamon temper lines due to its carbon and tungsten content. 1095 also produces beautiful hamon with finer detail. Lower carbon steels can show hamon but with more subtle effects.