Hanwei's Practical XL Light Katana is part of the Performance Series of Swords, a line that focuses on value and quality. This line is designed for the martial arts community to allow practitioners access to high quality swords at affordable prices.
Forged from 1566 high carbon steel, the addition of substantial manganese in this material results in a mostly uniformed hardened microstructure after the clay tempering process. This produces a blade that is tough, holds its edge remarkably well, and features a striking midareba hamon that adds to the overall aesthetics of the sword. The hardness of the edge is estimated around HRC60 while the spine is around HRC40. Since this is a "light" katana, the blade features a bohi that helps to reduce the overall weight of the sword and improve its point of balance without compromising the sword.
Like its other peers, this katana is equipped with a maru gata (round) tsuba, fuchi, kashira, seppa, habaki., and menuki. The tsuka is first wrapped with white same and held in place in the traditional style with imitation leather tsuka ito to provide a sturdy grip for its wielder. This katana is completed with a black lacquered saya with black sageo.