The Tiger Elite Katana features a hand forged and folded Performance Series katana blade and some of the finest fittings available Designed for multiple cuts in normal targets, the Tiger Elite Katana is equally at home as a cutting blade or showpiece. The K120C powder steel blade makes for superior edge holding and cutting ability. The koshirae are crafted in blackened bronze and detailed in gold. The blackened iron tsuba features a ‘stalking tiger’ motif. The Tsuka features finest quality Same (Rayskin) while the tsuka-ito and sageo are woven in premium Japanese cotton.
 
Made by Hanwei.
 
Overall: 41"
Blade Length: 29"
Handle Length: 11"
Weight: 2lb 8oz
Point of Balance: 5 1/2"
Width at Guard: 1.35"
Width at Tip: 1.03"
Thickness at Guard: .25"
Thickness at Tip: .16"
Sori: 3/4"
Blade Steel: K120C

Specs will vary slightly
from piece to piece.
 
Performance Series Katana Information
 
Our Performance Series Katana are the culmination of years of study of the optimum blade designs for today's martial artists. Four distinct variations are available, each optimized for a particular discipline or cutting application. The laito is an unedged training blade, available in three different lengths, for use in drawing practice and Kata. Its correctly-weighted and balanced steel blade prepares the student for advanced work with live blades. The blade geometry and physical characteristics of each of the Tameshigiri (cutting practice) blades are tailored towards different targets. The Elite Katana's blade is a little wider than its traditional counterpart, allowing for easier cuts on normal tameshigiri targets, while that of the Katana XL is significantly wider, producing a very thin edge that will sail right through traditional cutting targets such as multiple rolled and soaked tatami mats. The Katana XL Light has the XL's profile but is provided with bo-hi (groove or fuller), reducing the weight to the point where double cuts are possible but clean cuts on tameshigiri targets may still be made.
The traditional soaked tatami mat is the ideal target, but foam noodles and various water bottles can be an inexpensive substitute. The thinner blade profiles of the XL and XL Light are not meant for hard target cutting such as bamboo or wooden dowels.