Folded Melaleuca Steel Katana with Dragon Tsuba - Red Ito, Black Lacquer Saya

The blade on this katana is forged from folded melaleuca steel, producing the layered grain pattern that defines this material. A visible hamon runs along the edge, and the chrome-finished surface catches light cleanly from tip to habaki. At 40.5 inches overall with a 1.26-inch blade width, the proportions stay true to traditional katana geometry without overstating the spec.

The tsuka is wrapped in red cotton ito over PU white samegawa, using the classic diamond-pattern braid seen in koshirae-style builds. Two gold-tone menuki sit beneath the wrapping, visible through the gaps in the ito - a small detail that adds depth to the handle without overcrowding it.

The gold-and-black dragon tsuba is the focal point of the fittings. Cast in alloy with sculpted relief on both faces, the dragon motif reads clearly against the dark background. The contrast between the gold figure and the black field ties directly into the overall red-and-black palette of the sword. If you enjoy bold fittings with traditional themes, the Blue And Red Katana Sword collection offers similarly striking color combinations worth exploring.

The saya is shaped from hardwood and finished with a smooth natural lacquer coat in black. A red sageo cord is knotted at the kurigata, echoing the ito color and pulling the full presentation into a cohesive set. The marble-style surface texture on the saya adds visual movement without relying on paint or artificial patterning.

At 3.17 lb with a shipping weight of 4.4 lb, this piece is built to be handled and displayed rather than stored away. The full-tang construction and folded steel blade give it structural integrity, while the dragon fittings and red-black color scheme make it a strong visual statement on a wall mount or display stand. For collectors drawn to folded steel construction, the White 1000 Layer Folded Steel Katana collection offers additional folded steel options at a similar tier.