Heating a steel bar until it becomes malleable and hammering it to shape the metal and form the blade. After being laminated, the sword undergoes a heat treatment to define its hardness and elasticity – the harder it is, the easier it is to break – and it is sharpened. Before the firearm was invented, around the 15th century, the sword was the main instrument of war. Good swords were the dream of samurai, European and Bedouin knights. Today, the forge is still similar to that of the Middle Ages, but the sword has retired from combat to become a decoration in military ceremonies, staging and private collections. A katana, as demonstrated below, can take over 100 hours to make.
HOW TO MAKE A KATANA
– (Legia Duque/)
1. A steel bar (iron and carbon) goes into a furnace until it reaches about 700°C. Each type of sword is made with a different steel composition. The more carbon in the alloy, the harder the blade will be – which increases the risk of breakage when impacted
two. The bladesmith (or swordsmith) uses a pneumatic press to strike hot steel and compact the metal. Unwanted elements such as oxygen are eliminated from the alloy and the steel becomes stronger. When the steel cools down, it goes back into the furnace to soften.
3. With the bar still hot – reddened and malleable by the heat – the forger makes several folds before pressing it again. This ensures that the iron, carbon and other elements present in the alloy, such as chromium, nickel and silicon, are well mixed.
4. The secret to the katana’s balance of hardness and elasticity is a more flexible steel core surrounded by two bars of stronger steel. This sandwich goes into the fire and, after more beating, it becomes a single blade.
5. In lamination, the bar is treated with more precise hammer blows, on top of an anvil. The objective is to elongate the steel and thin the side that will be the edge (cut). The tip of the katana is made with a diagonal cut on the blade to extend the cutting area.
– (Legia Duque/)
6. With the blade already in the desired size, shape and consistency, it’s time to take care of the aesthetics. On a grindstone, the cutler adjusts the edges, making the blade faces smoother. Then, with sandpaper or special stones, the steel gains shine.
7. Covered in clay, the blade undergoes a heat treatment. The hot metal is dipped in mineral oil or water in the quenching process. After being quenched, the blade undergoes tempering: heated for the last time, it is slowly cooled to reduce hardness
8. The boundary between where there is more and less clay creates a drawing (hamon). Then it’s time for polishing, with fine sandpaper and stones, which adds shine and highlights the hamon. After being polished, the sword goes on to be sharpened, which is done on the harder side, where there was less clay.
9. To complete the service, the blade is connected to the handle, formed by the guard (which separates the warrior’s hand from the blade), the hilt (where he wields the sword) and the pommel (base that locks the whole set with screws).
CUTTING EVERYWHERE
Long Sword – Heavy weapon with cut on both sides of the blade, used by medieval European knights. Unlike the katana, it was wielded with both hands to strike.
Scimitar – The model, of Persian origin, was preferred by pirates and warriors in the Middle East. It was so successful in the region that its design is on the flag of Saudi Arabia.
foil – Developed in 18th century France, the foil was created as a practice sword to improve a soldier’s agility. Currently, it is one of the weapons of fencing.
CONSULTANCY Walter Parreira, director of Iberia Espadas