Ryan1408 is a beautiful katana. The blade is made of 1095 high carbon steel specially differentially-hardened to produce a hitatsura hamon or full temper. A blade with hitatsura hamon has hardened portions on its spine and shinogi-ji resulting in a chaotic but wildly beautiful hamon. The fittings are snake-themed cast brass and plated with silver. The tsuka is made of hardwood with genuine rayskin panels and wrapped with black leather ito. The saya is also made of non-moisture retaining hardwood with black glossy lacquer finish and black buffalo horn koiguchi, kurikata and kojiri. All in all, Ryan1408 is an awesome katana that can be an eye-catching display piece and a very capable cutter.