A Katana is one of the Japanese’s most treasured ancient swords, and every Samurai is expected to have one at all times. However, seeing how a skilled Samurai handles the sword makes you wonder if the sword is weightless; hence, you need an answer to the question, how much does a Katana weigh?
The weight of a Katana depends on several factors, including the blade’s nature, length, and the guard’s (Tsuba). The impact of these components of a Katana has led to a variation in the weight, making it difficult to accurately state a value for its weight.
However, an average Katana is expected to weigh 1200g (2.65 lbs), with the minimum and maximum possible weight capped between 2 pounds (900g) and 3.1 pounds (1400g). A large portion of the weight is determined by the nature of the sword’s blade, while the guard can add some extra weight to it.
As stated earlier, some factors can affect the weight of a Katana and have been listed above. We will now look at these factors more and how they can affect the weight of a Katana:
The Nature Of The Blade
The materials used to produce the blade of the Katana will significantly determine the sword’s weight. Although most Katanas are made from steel blades known to be light, steel blades also differ in density and weight, which can also affect the overall weight of the Katana.
Some modern Katanas are made from special kinds of steel alloys to decrease their weight without losing strength; one such is magnesium steel. The method of producing steel also differs, although pig iron is generally known to be used in making most Katana.
The Length Of The Blade
The length of the blade can also influence the weight of a Katana, as Katanas with longer blades tend to be heavier than shorter ones. Katanas are usually 39 inches long, with the edges responsible for around 257.5 inches of this length.
This factor will, therefore, affect the length covered by the guard, which also is a factor that determines the weight of a Katana. Some Katanas also have curved tips that might make it hard to measure their length accurately and even further increase the sword’s weight.
The Nature Of The Guard
The guard, known as Tsuba, can be made from several materials with divergent weights. It will also contribute to a Katana’s heaviness and determine the sword’s final weight.
Guards made from thick and heavy materials will increase the weight of the Katana, while the lighter ones will decrease the weight of the Katana. The length of the guard also affects the weight of the Katana and will depend on the length of the sword’s blade.
Inclusion Of A Scabbard/Sheath
A scabbard is a sheath where you keep the Katana when not in use and is known as Saya in Japanese. The weight of the sheath can also affect the weight of the Katana, as the Katana will weigh less without the sheath.
On average, it is believed that a scabbard can increase the weight of a Katana up to 200g (0.45 lbs). However, this also depends on the material used to make the sheath and the thickness of the scabbard.
Are Katanas Heavy?
Most people believe Katanas are heavy in their looks, especially the long ones. However, this is not true, as you can see from the values we stated in this article.
The average weight of 2.65 lbs (1200g) is not so heavy and will be lifted by most five-year-old boys, which confirms that the swords are not as weighty as you might think. You can also try to lift one yourself to know how heavy the Katana could be.
Nevertheless, if you are not a skilled swordsman, you can find swinging and cutting with a Katana difficult since the sword can become heavy if not balanced in your hands. These swords are called blade-heavy swords and require good balance to reduce their weight.
Can One Get A True Katana?
Without beating around the bush, it will be difficult to get a true Katana, as many traditional Katanas are unavailable for sale. Most families that own a true Katana consider it an ancestral belonging and would like to preserve it.
However, you could be lucky to get a person with a true Katana who is willing to sell the sword. Moreover, the modern Katanas are not so bad and are exactly like the true ones. Therefore, you can purchase a modern Katana if no one is willing to sell a traditional or true Katana.
How much does a Katana cost?
A true Katana is difficult to find, making it more expensive than other ancestral swords. The sword can cost you up to $100 000, although some people might be willing to sell it at a significantly lower cost.
From our research, a Katana can cost between $5000 to $100 000 depending on the age and quality of its blade. Therefore, you should endeavor to compare the price of different sellers and the Katana quality before purchasing one.
Conclusion
Katanas are ancestral blades whose weights depend on who is handling them. In the hands of a true Samurai, a Katara will be very light and flexible, with little or no stress required to swing and cut with them.
On the other hand, an average person with no experience in sword acts can find a Katara heavy due to his inability to properly balance the sword in his hands. Therefore, you must consider your expertise level before concluding that a Katana is heavy.
