Tanto - Imperial Series

Our new improved Japanese Training Swords are closely modeled after our world-famous Warrior series swords. Featuring an intricately detailed imitation cord wrap grip - molded in high impact polypropylene - they offer superior grip and comfort as well as more realistic training potential for the modern Martial Artist. Hundreds of years ago, the Japanese discovered a simple truth; that to become a good swordsman you'll have to practice, a great deal. To become a great swordsman you’ll have to practice with a "live blade". And during the period between "good" and "great", you should spend your time building your skills and confidence enough to wield a razor sharp Katana safely and effectively. To accomplish this, the Japanese relied on a simple wooden sword called a "bokken" for much of their training. It was made from the super tough wood of the Japanese White Oak, a wood they called Kashi. The swords produced from this wood had the advantage of replicating the size, weight and feel of a steel sword, while minimizing the possibility of causing grievous or permanent injury to those who used it. Authentic Kashi wood Bokkens are still used today, but are becoming quite costly. They also have the disadvantages, being made of wood, that they may rot, crack split or splinter. Cold Steel's solution to these dilemmas was to design a synthetic substitute, low in price and impervious to the elements. Our Bokken and our new Wakazashi Bokken are made of the heaviest grade polypropylene available and closely duplicate a real Katana and Wakazashi in length, size, weight and feel. While they're not quite as rigid as wood, they have the advantages of being virtually unbreakable and remarkably stiff and cut resistant. Specifications: Weight: 9.2 oz. Blade Thickness: 3/4" Blade Length: 12" Handle: 6 1/4" Long. Material: Polypropylene Overall: 18 1/4"

The classic Japanese battle sword in all its incarnations has been celebrated for centuries, not only for its elegant lines and simple beauty but also for the technique and skill that went into its construction.Most swords offered today are interpretive copies of antiquities from feudal Japan. They were made for warriors of small stature who seldom rose above five and a half feet. As skillfully designed as these swords are, they may not be perfectly suited for the twenty-first-century warrior, who benefited from contemporary advances in childhood nutrition and healthcare and grew up to be a substantially taller, stronger, and more athletic version of his historical counterpart.As a way of compensating for this size disparity, Cold Steel has created the Dragonfly Series. These swords feature thicker, wider and heavier blades, which mirror the Emperor Series in respect to heat treatment, polish, quality of furnishings, and attention to detail, but with a few departures.Most noticeable are the distinctive teal-green silk cord-wrap and black samé (rayskin) used on the handles and the black iron furniture that bears the dragonfly motif. Also, the polished blades are more strongly curved than the Emperor blades and terminate in a long "iris leaf" point for maximum cutting and slashing potential. Additionally, these swords come with two protective bags. Included is an intricately decorative display bag that's made from the finest heavy silk metallic brocade. Details: Blade Length: 22.0" Thickness: 0.3125" Overall Length: 33.50" Steel: 1060 Carbon Steel Handle: 11.50" Samé (Rayskin) Handle with Teal Green Silk Braid Cord & Brass Menuki Scabbard: Black Lacquered Wood Scabbard This is an item from the Cold Steel program in 2020.