1 antique World War II Imperial Japanese tanto sword available.  The blade is very unusual in that it was made of stainless steel.  Naval swords were often made of stainless steel.  This very fine Japanese tanto sword would make an important addition to any collection. 

This tanto is unsigned.  It has a true hamon/temper line--it is either water or oil-tempered.  A hada/grain is visible in the blade.  This stainless steel tanto was possibly, or perhaps likely, made at the Tenshozan Naval Forge. 

The blade measures 7 7/8" (20 cm) from blade tip to the bottom of the notch in the habaki. 

The blade has two bohi grooves. 

This fine tanto sword is in almost perfect polish.  There is a tight hairline crack in one side of the tsuka/handle.  There is also a crack in the wood habaki.  Both are stable though.  There are occasional little cosmetic-only dents in the wood saya. 

There are no openings in the blade whatsoever.  The hamon/temper line and boshi are perfectly healthy.  This sword is guaranteed against fatal flaws. 



This rare, stainless steel blade Japanese tanto would make an important addition to any collection.