{"product_id":"naginata-damascus-steel-79-hand-forged-japanese-polearm-spear","title":"Naginata - Damascus Steel - 79\" Japanese Polearm | Spear","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe naginata is Japan's most iconic polearm: a curved, single-edged blade mounted on a long hardwood shaft, carried for centuries by samurai, warrior monks, and the onna-musha who defended samurai households. This hand-forged Damascus naginata measures 79 inches overall and weighs approximately 6 pounds, pairing a 21-inch blade of 352-layer Damascus steel with a 58-inch hardwood shaft. The blade is forged, folded, heat treated, and hand sharpened by master smiths, then fitted with a full tang and reinforced collar for genuine battle-ready construction. Most orders ship promptly from our Illinois warehouse, and custom engraving is completed in-house before your naginata leaves our facility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 79 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 58 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 6 pounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade steel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 352-layer Damascus, progressively folded\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardwood with leather-wrapped grip section\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full tang, reinforced collar fittings, battle-ready\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngraving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Optional, completed in-house at our Illinois workshop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Damascus Steel Blade\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade on this naginata is forged from 352 layers of Damascus steel. Our smiths begin with 11 pieces of steel and fold the billet progressively, doubling and redoubling the layers until the finished blade carries 352 alternating bands. This progressive folding is what produces the flowing, water-like pattern that runs the full length of the curve. No two blades share the same pattern, which makes every Damascus naginata a one-of-a-kind piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its appearance, the layered construction serves a structural purpose. Alternating harder and softer steels lets the blade hold a keen edge while absorbing shock along its length, the same principle that made pattern-welded blades prized across centuries of swordmaking. After forging, the blade is heat treated for proper hardness, ground to its final geometry, and hand sharpened. Each blade passes our four quality control checkpoints before it is mounted and shipped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistory of the Naginata\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe naginata emerged in Japan during the Heian period (794 to 1185), when warriors needed a weapon that combined the reach of a spear with the sweeping geometry of a curved sword. It became the signature arm of the sohei, the warrior monks of Japan's great temple complexes, whose long-bladed naginata were feared across the battlefields of the Genpei War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs mounted archery gave way to massed infantry in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, the naginata held its place as a premier battlefield polearm, capable of controlling space in wide arcs where the straight-bladed yari could only thrust. By the Edo period, the naginata had taken on a second identity as the weapon of the samurai household. It became closely associated with onna-musha, the women of warrior families, who kept a naginata to defend the home. A finely mounted naginata was a traditional part of a samurai bride's dowry, and the weapon remains a symbol of that heritage today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAnatomy of a Naginata\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA traditional naginata is built from a handful of distinct components, each with its own name and purpose:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade (naginata-mi):\u003c\/strong\u003e The curved, single-edged cutting blade, 21 inches on this model, forged and sharpened like a sword blade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTang (nakago):\u003c\/strong\u003e The extension of the blade that seats deep into the shaft. A long, properly fitted nakago is what separates a genuine naginata from a decorative one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaft (ebu):\u003c\/strong\u003e The long hardwood pole, traditionally oval in cross-section rather than round, which distinguishes it from a simple spear haft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollar (habaki and sendan-maki):\u003c\/strong\u003e The fittings and binding that reinforce the junction where blade meets shaft, one of the most stressed points on any polearm. This model adds a leather-wrapped grip section at the junction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eButt cap (ishizuki):\u003c\/strong\u003e The metal fitting at the base of the shaft, which protects the wood and balances the weapon's profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCraftsmanship and Quality\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Battling Blades naginata is hand forged by master smiths through our direct workshop relationships, not mass produced. The Damascus blade is folded, shaped, heat treated, and sharpened by hand, then mounted with a full tang and reinforced fittings. This is battle-ready construction: a real forged weapon built to the same standard as our swords, not a wall-hanger casting. Custom engraving and etching are completed at our own facility in Illinois, so personalized orders never leave our quality control chain before shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA Centerpiece for Any Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt nearly six and a half feet, this Damascus naginata commands attention in any setting. It anchors a Japanese arms collection alongside a katana and yari, stands alone as a display centerpiece, and makes a striking heritage gift. The one-of-a-kind Damascus pattern ensures no other collector owns the same blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a naginata?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA naginata is a traditional Japanese polearm consisting of a curved, single-edged blade mounted on a long wooden shaft. It was used by samurai, warrior monks (sohei), and onna-musha from the Heian period onward, valued for its reach and sweeping blade geometry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this naginata battle-ready?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. This naginata features a hand-forged Damascus blade with a full tang, properly seated into a hardwood shaft with reinforced collar fittings. It is built to the same quality standard as our swords, with heat treatment and hand sharpening at every step. It is a genuine forged weapon, not a decorative casting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many layers does the Damascus blade have?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is forged from 352 layers of Damascus steel. Our smiths start with 11 pieces of steel and fold the billet progressively until 352 alternating layers form the blade, producing the distinctive flowing pattern along the curve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Damascus steel strong?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Properly forged Damascus alternates harder and softer steels, which lets the blade hold a sharp edge while absorbing shock through its layered structure. Combined with heat treatment and a full tang, it makes for a resilient, battle-ready blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long is this naginata?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis model measures 79 inches overall, with a 21-inch Damascus blade and a 58-inch hardwood shaft. Historical naginata typically ranged from about 5 to 7 feet, placing this piece squarely in the traditional battlefield size range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much does this naginata weigh?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis naginata weighs approximately 6 pounds. The weight sits low along the hardwood shaft with the forged Damascus blade at the head, giving the piece the substantial, authentic feel of a genuine battlefield polearm rather than a lightweight replica.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow quickly does it ship?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost naginata are in stock and ship promptly from our warehouse in Illinois. If you add custom engraving, we complete it in-house, which adds minimal time to your order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I care for a Damascus blade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the blade lightly oiled and store it in a dry environment. Damascus steel is high-carbon and not stainless, so a thin coat of mineral oil after handling prevents rust and preserves both the edge and the folded pattern. Avoid abrasive polishes, which can dull the contrast between layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between a naginata and a yari?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are Japanese polearms, but a yari has a straight, spear-style blade designed for thrusting, while a naginata has a curved, sword-like blade suited to sweeping arcs. Collectors often display the two together as complementary pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between a naginata and a katana?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blades share similar curved, single-edged geometry, but the naginata mounts its blade on a long shaft while the katana is a handheld sword. The naginata's added reach made it a battlefield weapon, while the katana became the samurai's signature sidearm. Many collectors pair the two as the centerpiece of a Japanese arms display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between a ko-naginata and an o-naginata?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ko-naginata is the smaller pattern, with a shorter blade and lighter shaft, historically associated with onna-musha, the women of samurai households. The o-naginata is the larger battlefield version favored by warrior monks and infantry, with a longer, heavier blade. Both follow the same construction and differ mainly in scale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Battling Blades","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46772294844588,"sku":"4000010001","price":799.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2234\/4067\/files\/Naginata5.png?v=1784041638","url":"https:\/\/battlingblades.com\/products\/naginata-damascus-steel-79-hand-forged-japanese-polearm-spear","provider":"Battling Blades","version":"1.0","type":"link"}