Constructed of the 9260TH spring steel, this Shobu-Zukuri katana is our preferred varient. The shinogi (ridgeline) of this sword runs the entire length of the blade... all the way to the very tip. This configuration results in a needle-like tip where the mune-shinogi-ha comes together to a singular point, facilitating penetration of soft targets. This is our preferred varient of the Shobu Zukuri katana. Shobu Zukuri refers to the shape of the blade. The word "Shobu" means Iris, and "Zukuri" mean made or constructed. This type of sword is so named because of the resemblence with the leaf of an iris plant. The name of this sword "Ayame" literally translates to "Iris" for this reason. Technically, one of the features on a Shobu Zukuri katana is to have the shinogi (ridge line on the sides of the blade) run the entire length of the sword. No yokote or kissaki. Note that because the mune (spine), Ha (edge) and shinogi (ridge) comes together into one single point, the tip of this sword is "needle-like". This geometry makes it easy to penetrate soft targets in a tsuki, but because of the lack of verticle support structure, it is also more delicate. The cutting ability of the blade body at the mune machi is the same as other katanas otherwise. The tsuka is wrapped with a black same panel wrap, and a brown cotton ito wrap. The tsuba is a rounded cast iron tsuba and is much more refined than our previous tsubas.