NEW Paul Chen Golden Oriole hand forged Katana SH1018 Start Price USD 489.99 Current Price USD 489.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 494.99 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, August 11, 2008 End Time Thursday, August 21, 2008 Location Houston, TX See more about 'NEW Paul Chen Golden Oriole hand forged Katana SH1018' Description Paul Chen Golden Oriole hand forged Katana Sword #1018 Click to view supersized image Golden Oriole Katana #1018 This is the new design Paul Chen Golden Oriole with blood grooves on both sides of the blade to reduce weight (was 2lbs 11 oz now 2lbs 3 oz). The Tsuba is also a bit different. Download the pdf file for full details click here... It has been said that in simplicity lies great beauty, an axiom stunningly validated by the Golden Oriole Katana . The story told by the stunning tsuba is of a mantis stealthily stalking the cricket, unaware that he is himself being stalked by the Golden Oriole. The blade is high-carbon steel hand forged in the maru-gitae style. The blade is tempered using the traditional clay process dating from 700 AD, producing a hard cutting edge (60 RC) while maintaining the body of the blade at 40 RC hardness for resilience and shock absorbtion. The blade's temper line (o-midari, meaning "turbulent sea") is one of the most beautiful and important features of the Japanese sword; many "temper lines" are simply etched or ground into a blade and have no functional value. But a true Hamon temper line indicates that the edge has been independently hardened in the traditional manner. The deeply lacquered blue of the saya is repeated in the Japanese cotton handle wrap (tsuka-ito), and the Oriole appears again on the pommel (kashira). This sword is hand crafted at the Dalian forge of Paul Chen. This sword has features usually found only on original Samurai swords. Unmistakably Hanwei quality, the 14" handle (tsuka) of the katana is secured to the long tang by double bamboo pegs. The longer handle gives a superb balance to the sword, allowing it to move very quickly and very freely. KEY FEATURES: * Forged high-carbon steel blade * Built for cutting * Traditional construction Specifications: * BLADE LENGTH:  27 1/4" * HANDLE LENGTH:   13 3/4” * OVERALL LENGTH:  42 1/4” * WEIGHT:  2lb 3oz * SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $895.00 * New in box. Comes with maintenance kit and cloth storage sleeve. Be sure to click on the photo to see a much enlarged view of this finely crafted sword. Everything we sell is new and authentic. For additional information visit the manufacturer's website. click here... Click to view supersized image   Place a Bid!