Hira-Zukuri Tanto (Handmade Habaki & Handmade Saya)

The tanto is a traditional Japanese dagger that generally features all the fittings of a samurai sword. Besides having served as a ceremonial weapon for the samurai, it was a self defense weapon for commoners and given to newborn babies and Japanese brides as a protective talisman.

This hira zukuri (nearly flat without shinogi or yokote) tanto from Z-Sey is forged from crucible smelted steel, differentially heat treated, and clay tempered to reveal a beautiful suguha (straight) hamon that becomes even more visible due to its Sashikomi (traditional) A+ polish. The tanto also features a handmade habaki (blade collar) and is sheathed in a handmade shirasaya (white scabbard), giving it an elegant and minimalist look.