Performance Elite Blade Geometry
Differentially Tempered
Built for Martial Artists
The Paul Chen Practical Katanas have always been at the forefront of providing economical yet functional swords to the martial arts cutting community. Designed for multiple cuts in normal targets, these Practical Elite Katanas combine the blade geometries and profiles of the Performance Series with the affordability of our Practical fittings. The blades are forged at Hanwei in 1566 steel and differentially hardened in the traditional manner, producing an edge hardness of HRC60 and spine hardness of HRC40. The removeable handle is tightly wrapped in the tradtional style with imitation leather to provide a positive grip that will withstand years of kata or tameshigiri practice.
Overall: 39"
Blade Length: 27"
Handle Length: 11"
Weight: 2lb 7oz
Point of Balance: 5"
Width at Guard: 1.35"
Width at Tip: 1.04"
Thickness at Guard: .26"
Thickness at Tip: .16"
Sori: 3/4"
Specs will vary slightly
from piece to piece.
1566 Carbon Steel Information
A high-carbon and manganese spring steel used by Hanwei in many of their differentially hardened Japanese swords and through-hardened medieval swords. This deep hardening steel provides a consistent microstructure ensuring a long life and excellent edge holding in demanding applications.1566 Steel Composition: 0.6-0.7C 0.85-1.15Mn