This katana is hand-forged from 1060 carbon steel folded 10 times to create 1024 layers and a beautiful pattern in the full tang blade which can be seen in the photos. This is not some cheap 440 stainless steel wall hanger, this is a SHARP weapon which can be used for actual cutting exercises. The saya is hardwood wrapped with rattan at the top, hand lacquered with a garnet color, wrapped with Japanese black silk sageo, and finished with buffalo horn koiguchi. The tsuka consists of garnet leather ito wrapped battle-style (katatemaki) over black ray skin samegawa. Tsuba and fittings are gloss finished black iron. I custom ordered this to fit my idea of a "Gamecock" katana, and believe me when I say that pictures do not do this sword justice.