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Golden Autumn Katana, John Lee, Folded 1095 Kobuse Steel
Are you looking for a true gem for your collection that is more than just a decoration? The Golden Autumn Katana by John Lee is among the finest in our line-up. It is a masterpiece that combines premium materials with traditional methods. The heart of the sword is a blade forged in the Kobuse style—it has a soft core wrapped in a hard jacket of 12-times folded 1095 carbon steel, creating approx. 8,000 layers. The blade is differentially hardened using a clay coat, giving the edge a hardness of 60 HRC and the spine 40 HRC. This makes it a fully functional and extremely sharp weapon. The mountings (koshirae) are handmade and feature elegant autumn motifs in the style of the Edo period. A unique feature is the scabbard (saya) with an inlay of genuine rayskin. Further product information ...
Golden Autumn Katana, John Lee, Folded 1095 Kobuse Steel
Masterful Kobuse-Style Blade
The blade of this katana is forged in the complex and highly prized Kobuse construction. This means it has a softer, more resilient core that is completely encased in a jacket of extremely hard, 12-times folded 1095 steel. This method ensures the sword is incredibly sharp and holds its edge (thanks to the hard jacket), while also being extraordinarily durable and resistant to breaking (thanks to the softer core).
- Steel: High-carbon 1095 steel.
- Folding: Folded 12 times (approx. 8,000 layers), revealing a beautiful Damascus pattern (hada).
- Hardening: Traditional differential hardening with a clay coating, creating a clearly visible hamon line.
- Hardness: Edge approx. 60 HRC, spine approx. 40 HRC.
- Polish: A masterful hand-polish reveals the hamon and steel structure, with the spine of the blade mirror-polished.
Elegant Edo-Style Koshirae (Fittings)
All fittings (Tsuba, Menuki, Fuchi, and Kashira) are handmade and set in a simple yet elegant autumn scene, capturing the beauty of the moment in the style of the Edo period (1603-1868). Gold details of leaves and insects (see detail photo on the fuchi) contrast beautifully with the blackened surfaces.
- Handle (Tsuka): It is covered with genuine rayskin (samegawa) and wrapped with black silk.
- Quality Construction: The wrap was done using traditional paper triangles (hishigami) for a tighter and more even wrap.
- Fixing: The handle is secured to the tang (nakago) with two conical bamboo pegs (mekugi).
Unique Saya (Scabbard)
The scabbard is made of wood and finished with a black high-gloss lacquer. Its most prominent feature is an inlay of genuine rayskin, making it a unique piece. All terminations (koiguchi, kurigata, kojiri) are made from high-quality buffalo horn.
Package Contents
This premium katana is delivered in an attractive wooden collector's box, along with a printed cloth bag, a seal, and a certificate of authenticity.
Specifications
| Blade Material | Folded 1095 Carbon Steel (12x folded) |
| Blade Construction | Kobuse (soft core, hard jacket) |
| Handle Material | Wood / Genuine Rayskin / Silk |
| Sheath | Wood, lacquered, rayskin inlay, buffalo horn fittings |
| Handle Length | 29 cm (approx. 11.4") |
| Blade Length | 73 cm (approx. 28.7") |
| Overall Length (without sheath) | 103 cm (approx. 40.6") |
| Weight (without sheath) | approx. 1350 g (approx. 2.98 lbs) |
Safe Use Guidelines
This is a top-tier, fully functional, and extremely sharp weapon. It is not a toy and must be handled with extreme caution.
WARNING: Sharp Sword – This is not a toy!
- Always handle the sword with maximum respect. It is razor-sharp and can cause severe or fatal injury.
- Not intended for stage combat or contact sparring with other swords. The hard edge (60 HRC) is brittle and can chip or break on impact with steel.
- The sword is intended for collectors, kata (forms) practice, and test cutting (tameshigiri) on appropriate soft materials (e.g., tatami mats).
- Never cut at hard objects (wood, bone, metal).
- Keep the sword out of the reach of children and unauthorised persons. Use is strictly at your own risk.
Sword Care
The 1095 folded carbon steel blade is not stainless. To maintain its beauty and prevent rust, it requires care. After every use, wipe the blade clean with a soft cloth and apply a thin coat of conservation oil, ideally Choji oil. Store the sword in a dry environment. For complete care, we recommend the Japanese Sword Maintenance Kit (OH2105).
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