The Oni are mythical
creatures from Japanese folklore similar to western demons or trolls.
In modern culture they are beginning to move away from this menacing
connotation into the role of guardian or protector, similar in
character to gargoyles. Their power and ferocity, however, have
not diminished. There is a Japanese saying which translates to “Oni
with an iron club”, or to be of an invincible nature, a fitting
association with the 29” L6/Bainite blade on which our Oni
Katana is built. The blade features the geometry of our Performance
Series for outstanding cutting ability. The 14” tsuka is
wrapped in black ray skin and silk ito while the Koshirae feature
Oni in various classical styles. A unique combination of folklore
and functionality.
Bainite is a structure of high-carbon steel that combines great
strength with excellent flexibility and shock absorption characteristics.
It has been known as an exemplary Katana blade component for a
number of years but its use has been restricted to a few top-class
master smiths, due to the difficulties involved in performing the
exacting heat treatment procedures necessary for the production
of a Bainite blade body in combination with the very hard Martensite
Yakiba (edge section) required for Katana blades.
Hanwei has now mastered this difficult
process, using billets of L-6 tool steel (a very tough high-carbon
low-alloy steel) as a starting point. Blades are forged and shaped
in the normal way, then carefully heat treated to achieve the required
Bainite and Martensite structures before final polishing. |
