‘Tsundoku’ Minamoto Hand-Forged Tanto – 1045 High Carbon Steel

Simplicity. Tradition. Steel.

Clean, understated and beautifully traditional, the ‘Tsundoku’ Minamoto Hand-Forged Tanto strips the Japanese blade back to its essential form.

Hand-forged from 1045 high carbon steel, this 46cm tanto features a substantial 31cm blade, traditional wooden construction and a beautifully minimalist hardwood saya that completely encloses the weapon when sheathed.

With no elaborate decoration competing for attention, the focus remains where it belongs — on the blade and the craftsmanship behind it.

🔥 Forged in Fire

Unlike purely decorative stainless-steel replicas, the Tsundoku's blade is produced from 1045 high carbon steel and hand forged using traditional-inspired techniques.

The steel is repeatedly worked under heat before being heat treated and quenched, producing a blade rated at approximately HRC 58.

Running along the polished blade is a visible hamon-style temper line, adding another traditional element to its otherwise beautifully restrained appearance.

At 31cm long, 3cm wide and approximately 7.5mm thick, the blade has considerably more substance than a miniature ornamental tanto.

🏯 Hidden Within the Saya

What makes the Tsundoku particularly distinctive is its minimalist presentation.

When completely sheathed, the tanto resembles a simple polished wooden case. The warm reddish-brown hardwood saya flows visually into the matching handle, interrupted only by the dark collar around the opening.

There are no extravagant guards, bright colours or fantasy embellishments.

Draw the blade and the simplicity gives way to polished high-carbon steel.

It's an elegant contrast — discreet on display, impressive when unsheathed.

⚔️ The Japanese Tanto

The tanto emerged as one of the traditional blades of feudal Japan, typically carried alongside longer swords and associated particularly with the samurai warrior class.

Its shorter proportions made it fundamentally different from the sweeping katana, yet the same attention to blade geometry, fittings and presentation could be applied to its construction.

The Tsundoku takes inspiration from that tradition while offering collectors a compact Japanese blade that can be displayed without requiring the space of a full-length katana.

✨ Why you'll love it

🔥 Hand-forged 1045 high carbon steel blade

⚔️ Substantial 31cm blade

📏 46cm overall length

💪 Approx. HRC 58 hardness

🌊 Visible traditional-style hamon detail

🪵 Beautiful minimalist hardwood saya

🏯 Traditional Japanese-inspired tanto construction

🖤 Understated design with virtually no unnecessary ornamentation

🗡️ Impressive 7.5mm blade thickness

🎎 Superb companion piece to a katana or wakizashi collection

🖼️ Display stand included

The Tsundoku doesn't need dragons, elaborate carvings or extravagant fittings to make an impression.

Wood. Steel. Fire. Tradition.

Sometimes that's enough.

🇬🇧 Fast UK shipping from The Sword Stall.

🔞 Legal & Safety Notice

This product is strictly sold to adults aged 18 years and over.

We operate additional age-verification checks for certain items and may request proof of age prior to dispatch. Orders will not be shipped unless age requirements are met.

This is a collector's blade and must be handled responsibly. It is not intended for combat, sparring or use against people or animals.

High-carbon steel requires appropriate care. Keep the blade clean and dry after handling and apply a suitable protective oil periodically to help prevent corrosion.

Always store securely away from children. UK laws concerning the possession and carrying of bladed articles apply. Never carry this item in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Specifications

• Product: ‘Tsundoku’ Minamoto Hand-Forged Tanto
• Product Type: Japanese-Style Tanto
• Overall Length: 46cm
• Blade Length: 31cm
• Handle Length: 15cm
• Blade Width: 3cm
• Blade Thickness: 0.75cm / 7.5mm
• Blade Material: 1045 High Carbon Hand-Forged Steel
• Blade Hardness: Approx. HRC 58
• Handle Material: Wood
• Saya Material: Hard Wood
• Tsuba Material: Zinc Alloy
• Fittings Material: Zinc Alloy
• Sageo Material: Cotton
• Display Stand: Included
• Age Restriction: 18+