'Kōyō' Minamoto Hand Forged Katana in 1095 High Carbon Steel. This handmade katana is made of 1095 high carbon folded steel. Each blade is lovingly forged in fire and beaten until the impurities are removed from the steel, leaving only the finest blade. It is heat tempered in the traditional manner and quenched in oil and water. The wooden handle is wrapped in genuine Stingray skin (Samekawa) before the traditional cotton handle wrapping (Tsukamaki).