Help needed to make the ultimate Katana
Hello everyone! I’m new here.
A good friend recently gifted me a katana, and I’d like to return the gesture by getting one for them as well. I’m calling it the “Ultimate Katana” because I want the materials and overall accuracy to be as good as possible.
I’m looking for a historically accurate traditional katana, as close as possible to how most katanas were typically made in the past.
I understand that every katana is unique, and that different regions, smiths, and time periods had their own variations and opinions. Still, there must be some kind of general “standard” that most traditional katanas followed.
By “accurate” I mean authentic traditional design, correct measurements (blade length and overall proportions, etc) and proper traditional materials and methods.
I’ve heard that copper was used a lot and is considered “standard” in traditional katanas. Is that correct? I also heard that Silk is better than cotton.
The sword will most likely rarely be used for cutting. It will mostly rest on a table as a display piece, but I still want the best steel and material possible. I’ve heard T10 is a good choice. Is that true, or would something else be better for a high quality traditional style katana?
Could you help me understand what a typical historical katana looked like in terms of dimensions and materials, and point me toward options that stay true to that?
Thanks in advance!