{"product_id":"empire-wheel-katana-1045-carbon-steel-hand-forged-full-tang-battle-ready-1","title":"Empire Wheel Katana — 1045 Carbon Steel, Hand Forged, Full Tang, Battle Ready","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:'Nunito Sans',sans-serif;color:#1c1b1b;font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;max-width:100%;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;margin:0 0 24px;\"\u003eThis Empire Wheel Katana keeps a classic full-length look with a black lacquer saya and wheel-themed fitting detail. The 1045 carbon steel blade keeps the material lane simple, while the bo-hi \/ fuller gives the blade side a visible groove that separates it from the no-bo-hi Empire Wheel version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f8f8f8;border-left:3px solid #1c1b1b;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:0 4px 4px 0;margin-bottom:28px;font-size:13px;color:#444;\"\u003e🚚 Order before \u003cstrong\u003e2:00 PM PST\u003c\/strong\u003e — ships same business day  |  After 2:00 PM PST — ships next business day\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1c1b1b;border-bottom:2px solid #1c1b1b;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin-bottom:28px;font-size:13px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;width:42%;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eSteel \/ Material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e1045 High Carbon Steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e52–54 HRC (edge) \/ 48–50 HRC (spine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eProcess\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHand Forged, Heat Tempered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHamon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eVisible temper line, hand polished\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;width:42%;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHi (Blood Groove)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHi (blood groove) on each side\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eEdge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHand Sharpened — Sharp and functional\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eBlade Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e27.5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eHandle Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e10.75\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eOverall Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e40\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e2.0 lbs (without Saya) \/ 2.7 lbs (with Saya)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eTsuba (Guard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eEmpire Wheel Tsuba\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eTsuka (Handle)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eGenuine Rayskin, Japanese Cotton Ito, Metal Menuki\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eTang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eFull tang with 2 Mekugi (peg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eSaya (Scabbard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eBlack piano lacquered wood — \"Shadow of the Snake\" scabbard: high-gloss mirror-black finish across the full saya, unified with the all-black handle wrapping — tied with black leather Ito creating a complete monochromatic black aesthetic from tsuka to saya\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#f8f8f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eDisassembly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003eCan be fully taken apart and reassembled\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;font-weight:700;\"\u003eQuality Control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 12px;\"\u003eIndividually inspected before shipping — California warehouse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1c1b1b;border-bottom:2px solid #1c1b1b;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003ePackage Contents\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:8px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;font-size:14px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e 1× Assembled Sword with Saya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:8px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;font-size:14px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e 1× Cotton Sword Carrying Bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"padding:8px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;font-size:14px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Double-layer protective packaging (tube box + shipping box)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;margin:0 0 24px;\"\u003eThis Empire Wheel Katana keeps a classic full-length look with a black lacquer saya and wheel-themed fitting detail. The 1045 carbon steel blade keeps the material lane simple, while the bo-hi \/ fuller gives the blade side a visible groove that separates it from the no-bo-hi Empire Wheel version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f4fbf4;border-left:3px solid #3a7d3a;padding:12px 16px;border-radius:0 4px 4px 0;font-size:13px;color:#2d5c2d;margin-bottom:28px;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e✓ 30-day hassle-free returns: return in original unused condition with all original packaging for a full refund or exchange.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e.hms-faq-994 details{border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;}.hms-faq-994 details summary{list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;padding:14px 4px;cursor:pointer;font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;color:#1c1b1b;user-select:none;}.hms-faq-994 details summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}.hms-faq-994 details summary::after{content:'+';font-size:18px;font-weight:300;color:#888;}.hms-faq-994 details[open] summary::after{content:'−';}.hms-faq-994 .faq-body{padding:4px 4px 16px;font-size:14px;color:#444;line-height:1.7;}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:32px;padding-top:24px;border-top:2px solid #1c1b1b;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#1c1b1b;margin:0 0 8px;letter-spacing:.03em;\"\u003eFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hms-faq-994\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat stands out first on this Empire Wheel Katana?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\"\u003eThe black lacquer saya keeps the first impression restrained. The wheel-themed fittings become more noticeable when the sword is viewed closer.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes it have a bo-hi or fuller?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\"\u003eYes. This version is listed with a bo-hi \/ fuller, so the blade side has a visible groove.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow is this different from the no-bo-hi Empire Wheel Katana?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\"\u003eThis version shows a blade groove, while the no-bo-hi version has a more solid-looking blade side.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the blade 1045 carbon steel?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\"\u003eYes. The listed steel grade is 1045 carbon steel, paired with a black lacquer saya and Empire Wheel fittings.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #ebebeb;padding:2px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:600;font-size:14px;color:#1a1a1a;padding:11px 4px;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;\"\u003eWhat makes the scabbard (saya) on this katana special?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\" style=\"font-size:14px;color:#444;line-height:1.7;padding:4px 4px 12px;\"\u003eThe saya on this katana is part of a complete design concept called \"Shadow of the Snake.\" The scabbard is black piano lacquered wood — the highest-gloss lacquer finish available, producing a near-mirror surface. Combined with the black-wrapped tsuka and black leather Ito, every surface of the sword from handle to scabbard tip is deep black, creating a unified form that absorbs attention rather than reflecting it. The snake in Japanese symbolism represents patience, concealment, and precise lethal timing — qualities that match the aesthetic perfectly. A sword this uniformly dark announces nothing about itself until the moment of its use. The use of leather Ito rather than the standard cotton cord is a deliberate material choice: leather has a smoother, more controlled texture that suits the snake's sleek quality better than braided fabric.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #ebebeb;padding:2px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:600;font-size:14px;color:#1a1a1a;padding:11px 4px;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;\"\u003eIs there a matching companion sword to pair with this?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\" style=\"font-size:14px;color:#444;line-height:1.7;padding:4px 4px 12px;\"\u003eYes — the \u003cstrong\u003eShadow of the Wind Katana\u003c\/strong\u003e is the companion Shadow of the Wind (white) to this Shadow of the Snake (black), sharing the same saya design, fittings, and color palette. Displaying them together as a matched set recreates the traditional Japanese daisho presentation — the pairing of long and short blades that was the mark of the samurai class. Both swords are built to the same specifications and finished with the same decorative approach, so the two pieces read as a single unified object on display rather than two separate swords. You can find the companion piece on our site: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shadow-of-the-wind-katana\" style=\"color:#8b6914;text-decoration:underline;\"\u003eShadow of the Wind Katana\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow should I care for the carbon steel blade?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"faq-body\"\u003eKeep the blade dry after handling and apply a light coat of suitable blade oil before storage. This is regular care for carbon steel.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:28px;padding:16px;background:#f8f8f8;border-radius:4px;font-size:13px;color:#555;line-height:1.9;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#1c1b1b;font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:0.08em;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eContact Us\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✉ sales@handmadesword.com    ☎ 909-480-4866\u003cbr\u003eMon–Fri  9:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Handmade Sword","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31708018966593,"sku":"994","price":355.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/8397\/2417\/files\/994-1.jpg?v=1776331058","url":"https:\/\/www.handmadesword.com\/products\/empire-wheel-katana-1045-carbon-steel-hand-forged-full-tang-battle-ready-1","provider":"Handmade Sword","version":"1.0","type":"link"}