How to Make a Ninjato

Make sure you have access to plenty of steel and a furnace., Have essential materials such as a black smiths hammer, anvil, tongs, gloves, and a pair of clear safety classes. ,Cut steel to roughly 2 1⁄2 feet (0.8 m) - 3 1⁄2 feet (1.1 m) , Plan out...

33 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Make sure you have access to plenty of steel and a furnace.

4-6 gauge steel would be ideal, but you could always go smaller

Step 2: Have essential materials such as a black smiths hammer

,,,,,, The edge should take up near half the width of the metal as it has to have enough slope to make a perfect 33% angle. (don't worry about the tip of the blade, just begin to make the edge all the way to the end of the metal).

The edge should have two side to it. , (the tip can be tricky to make on a one-sided blade, to after flattening it is OK to simple cut it off or grind it away as a beginner). ,,, Repeat by setting the metal back into the furnace and so on for a MINIMUM of 10 times or until you are satisfied. ,,,,

Step 3: gloves

Step 4: and a pair of clear safety classes.

Step 5: Cut steel to roughly 2 1⁄2 feet (0.8 m) - 3 1⁄2 feet (1.1 m)

Step 6: Plan out where the tang (hilt)

Step 7: and edge of sword will be.

Step 8: Preheat the furnace until at a steady temperature.

Step 9: When setting metal into furnace

Step 10: DO NOT put metal directly in front of flame as it will cause uneven heat distribution and will cause the blade to have later defaults.

Step 11: When the metals color changes to a bright orange or slight yellow color take out with tongs and begin to hammer the bottom of the metal where you wanted your hilt to be until it is almost squished until it begins to look like the end of a file with the handle missing (do this process slowly and evenly

Step 12: as it is one of the most critical parts of the blade).

Step 13: When hilt section is mostly done

Step 14: begin to hammer ONE half of metal for the edge.

Step 15: When the hilt and mid section of the blade is complete

Step 16: begin to flatten out the top of the metal to prepare the tip.

Step 17: When the tip is on shape

Step 18: you can strengthen the blade by simple taking the wedge edge of the hammer and making small limes in the TIP of the blade

Step 19: this way if a crack does form

Step 20: it has to make its way all the way down the dents in the metal

Step 21: thus ensuring a longer life for the blade.

Step 22: Now straighten the blade until it is 100% straight or else you will never be able to get it into a sheath and you will lose almost all of your cutting power.

Step 23: Once the metal is straight and has the correct shape you intended you can now begin to harden the metal by heating it up to a bright yellow color (almost until it is white-hot) then taking it out and laying it on a safe surface in a room that is as cold as you can get it (the more the difference the temperature the better!).

Step 24: After the metal is back at a safe to touch temperature

Step 25: you can now begin to shine it up a bit by grinding the sides and blade with a table grinder or what ever you have

Step 26: just make sure not to burn or scar the metal as all your hard work would go to waste!

Step 27: Find or make a proper hilt for your sword

Step 28: a hilt maker can be found near hobby shops or a store that sells weapons as such.

Step 29: Now sharpen your blade and tip to a perfect 33% angle

Step 30: ensuring you have a straight ramp of a blade and not a slope.

Step 31: Clean it off

Step 32: engrave the blade to however you want it

Step 33: and go cut up some samurai!

Detailed Guide