About Dynasty Forge

Although only recently founded in 2003, Dynasty Forge has emerged as one of the premiere Japanese Sword manufacturers today. Their focus on producing swords that are “pieces of functional art” have made their blades extremely desirable amongst collectors and fighters around the world. This double focus on art (their commitment to producing swords via traditional Eastern methods) and functionality (incorporating a forging process that involves high-carbon raw iron or Tamahagane and 1095 carbon steel for the strongest blades possible) is what sets apart Dynasty Forge from its competitors.

Dynasty Forge swords also offer extra strength and durability for the modern warrior—their weapons purposefully incorporate contemporary materials and methods (while being forged with respect to Eastern authenticity) to provide beautiful blades that won't shatter in the dojo. Dynasty Forge, therefore, understands and provides for the balance in their swords that every warrior must achieve in battle.

Dynasty Forge has always been committed to their customers. In this fashion they recently extended production from their Daimyo class arms to create more swords produced with the same quality but offered at more affordable prices to serve new and upcoming Japanese sword enthusiasts. The swordsmiths and founders of Dynasty Forge also are meticulous with regards to quality control and customer service, ensuring complete satisfaction on each and every sale.

The Forging Process

Dynasty Forge has developed three distinct lines of swords to appeal to the various needs of modern sword enthusiasts. For newer or value-driven buyers the Musha class provides an excellent set of weapons, forged with mono-tempered blades using buffing wheels and grinders. This process provides solid workmanship and attractive swords that will add luster to any collection.

However, Dynasty Forge is also dedicated to the traditional sword crafting processes of Japan which can be seen in their Daimyo Tamahagane and Bushi line of swords. In the process of smithing the Daimyo Tamahagane swords, craftsmen hammer and fold the raw iron comprising the blade. This folding action removes any impurities from the metal and highlights the Hada—the lush and unique grain patterning of the blade. Swords in the Dynasty Forge Bushi Line are also folded in a similar process but contain modern steel versus raw iron.

Both the Daimyo and Bushi class of Dynasty Forge swords go through an extensive heat-tempering process to create a distinct Hamon. The Hamon is created when a smith covers the majority of a blade in clay during the heating process so that only the very edge of the sword feels the full force of the fire. This process creates a milky-white pattern where the crystalline structure of the steel is modified—and no two patterns are alike. This unique factor is one of the reasons Dynasty Forge creates these two lines of swords using traditional Japanese forging methods.

Polishing a sword is a time-consuming process, especially when done by hand as it is by Dynasty Forge for both lines of swords in their Daimyo class. Rather than use buffing machines, smiths hand-polish using a series of graduated stones imported from Japan. This process can take more than thirty hours and utilizes multiple stones of diminishing degrees so that final stages leave “scratches” that are actually smaller than the structural variations in the steel itself.

Dynasty Forge's Chinese Sword Line

Taking the same attention to detail, Dynasty Forge is also reviving the production of high-end Chinese swords. Analyzing history for details and inspiration, the DF Chinese sword collection (coming soon) sets the benchmark for modern reproductions.

The Steel The Daimyo Forge-Folded blades are made using a unique combination of 1095, 1080 and 1060 high-carbon steel. Starting from a 9 layer billet, the differential carbon creates an intricate Hada usually found only on Tamahagane blades. Similar to the Daimyo 1095 line, the Daimyo Forge- Folded line gains strength from the lack of impurities in the steel, leading to stronger resilience and durability.

The Forging Process Each Daimyo Forge-Folded blade is hand-forged and folded 8-12 times, depending on how the billet reacts to each fold. The goal is to create a near homogenous blade with an attractive Hada. All Daimyo Forge-Folded blades undergo the traditional clay-tempering process. The resulting white Hamon lends the steel another layer of intricacy.

The Polishing Process Each Daimyo Forge-Folded blade is hand-polished on imported Japanese stones. Through a process that takes over 60 hours, the blade geometry is refined and the surface brought to a fine luster. Using twelve different grades of stones, the Hada is revealed. Our work most commonly displays Hada in the Ayasugi style with Mokume Hada on the Shinogi-Ji. The Hada is slightly more prominent compared to Tamahagane and makes the intricacies easier to appreciate. The Hamon is finished in the Hadori style, where the polisher uses Hazuya stones to accentuate the contrast against the Ji.

The Finished Blade The Daimyo Forge-folded line combines all traditional aesthetic qualities of the Japanese sword, while gaining improved edge retention and resilience through the use of modern steel. This is a result of a sophisticated process, revealing a Japanese weapon’s traditional form enclosed in a hand-forged blade, brought to a deadly and beautiful mirror finish. This line is perfect for those unwilling to compromise any aspect of the sword, demanding aesthetics and function combined. These high-performance weapons exude superior balance and craftsmanship.