Ignite: Cutting-edge technology – samurai swords

Brady Forrest writes:

A katana (commonly called a samurai sword) is a marvel of art and technology. In this week’s Ignite Episode, Jonathan Kahan walks us through its creation and usage. This was filmed at Ignite NYC 3.

The katana is made of steel that’s been folded up to 20x which produces hundreds of thousands of layers. To function as a sword the blade needs to be able to hold an edge, but also be flexible. This is achieved through the quenching process where clay is used to form the two types of steel necessary. The work of art is then polished to bee as smooth and reflective as glass. Jonathan walks us through the process.

Jonathan Kahan on Samurai Swords as Cutting Edge Technology