Welcome to Zanshin Ironworks. We are a small company dedicated to making samurai swords, wakizashi, tanto and other Japanese arms for Budo practice.

We ourselves are long term dedicated martial arts practitioners. We understand that the Samurai sword is a very personal item that can embody the life and character of the martial artist. With this in mind we  offer an array of choices and custom options to give you the power to design the look and select the geometry of your own personal sword.

Equally important is that we have extensive experience in the unusual type of production focused on historical reproduction We understand how to achieve the delicate balance between handcrafting and production, authenticity and affordability, and appearance and functionality. This allows us to create pieces of exceptional value without loosing that special quality that makes it a handcrafted individual item.

We offer hand crafted Japanese shinken and iaito as well as providing sword fittings and fine art pieces that reflect the old traditions of Japan.  In our sword’s we use the finest materials from Japan as well as highest quality fittings to meet those standards that reflect the samurai spirit.

We currently search the world over for craftsmen of integrity that can make our swords in a way that meets our quality standards as well as the needs of customers who will actually use the product in their martial arts training.

Before mounting, each blade is inspected by hand and finish polished. Our quality controle is second to none, A substantial number of blades are rejected for small flaws and kizu (aesthetic flaws). All mounting is done in our workshop using the finest Japanese silk and leather wrap. Our sword furniture (koshirae) is hand cast in the U.S. and Japan using the lost wax process and the highest quality authentic materials.

For the discriminating collector, we offer individually hand forged blades made by smiths in the U.S. and Japan, as well as antique blades.  For martial artists involved in everyday practice, we offer the bestt quality limited production Katana available. All of our limited production blades are of high carbon steel, forge folded and clay tempered by hand. Our Hamon are natural, never etched or brushed, resulting in a beautiful natural temper line and hada (fold pattern) consistent with historical blades.

Blade designs and steel composition are chosen to maintain the historical accuracy of blade construction and geometry and to meet the specific needs of different aspects of the art. Whether your practice is primarily heavy cutting (Tamashigeri) or Iai Kata, Zanshin makes a blade for you. Steel types are selected that are consistent with the Japanese blade smithing process. Modern enhanced steels are also available for those involved in frequent cutting beyond the requirements and design characteristics of historical blades.  Please feel free to call us to discuss your individual needs and ideas.