Making Enma, Zoro's Katana from One Piece

Jesse Hu2 minutes read

Enma from One Piece is a powerful sword made of W2 tool steel, carefully forged following traditional methods for around 3 to 4 hours. Despite initial challenges, meticulous craftsmanship led to a successful creation with unique features like a distal taper and a well-fitted habaki and handle.

Insights

  • Enma from One Piece is a formidable sword that can slice a mountain in half with one stroke, constructed meticulously from tough W2 tool steel following traditional forging techniques.
  • Despite initial setbacks and dissatisfaction with the first attempt, the individual perseveres, learning from mistakes to create a successful second version of the blade with improved features, including a carefully crafted habaki, guard, and handle, showcasing dedication to the craft and attention to detail.

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Recent questions

  • What is Enma from One Piece?

    A powerful sword capable of cutting mountains.

  • What materials are used to make Enma?

    W2 tool steel for toughness and durability.

  • How long is the blade of Enma?

    Approximately 24.5 to 25 inches.

  • What is the quenching process for Enma?

    A careful process involving clay application and heat treatment.

  • How is the handle of Enma made?

    Crafted from purple heart wood with a unique frame handle design.

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Summary

00:00

Enma: Powerful Sword Forged with Precision

  • Enma from One Piece is a powerful sword capable of cutting a mountain in half with one slice.
  • The blade being built is made of one-inch wide and almost half-inch thick W2 tool steel, known for its toughness.
  • Traditional forging methods are followed, including cutting material at a 45-degree angle and forging the longer side of the bar.
  • Beveling the blade involves establishing the bevel line, setting the blade shape curve, and beveling the opposite side of the edge.
  • The blade's length is aimed to be around 24.5 to 25 inches, following historical katana standards.
  • The forging process takes around 3 to 4 hours, with meticulous attention to detail and reference to traditional katana-making techniques.
  • Normalization of the blade is done in three cycles at specific temperatures to refine the grain size and prepare for heat treatment.
  • Clay is applied to the spine of the blade using a mixture of Forge scale and satanite for heat treatment preparation.
  • The blade undergoes a quenching process in the forge, with careful temperature monitoring using a magnet to ensure proper heat treatment.
  • After initial issues with the heat treatment, adjustments are made to the clay application and heat levels for a successful second quenching attempt.

17:15

Forging a Katana: From Frustration to Success

  • The individual is dissatisfied with the initial creation, deeming it a piece of garbage and opting to forge a new one.
  • The second attempt at forging the item is more successful, with improved features like spine bevels and a distal taper.
  • The individual undergoes multiple normalization cycles and grinds off oxides before preparing for quenching.
  • A mistake in the quenching process leads to frustration and fatigue, requiring a fourth quenching attempt.
  • A field trip is taken to acquire materials, including a longer PVC pipe, brass, and purple heart wood.
  • The habaki, a copper spacer under the blade, is meticulously crafted through hammering, heating, and bending.
  • A wedge-shaped piece of copper is ground and soldered to the habaki, requiring precise fitting and soldering techniques.
  • The habaki is finalized through grinding and shaping to fit the katana perfectly.
  • The guard, or suba, is crafted from a thick brass sheet, with intricate circles drilled and countersunk.
  • The handle is made from purple heart wood, with a unique frame handle design to avoid traditional carving methods.

34:36

Creating Katana: Crafting Process in Detail

  • The sepo was 1/16 of an inch thick, while the guard was 3/8 of an inch thick, both made of solid brass.
  • Filing the channel to fit the Tang took around five to six hours.
  • The Katana weighed one pound and 12 ounces before grinding.
  • The purple belt used for rough grinding lasted through both Katana rough grinds.
  • The Katana was convex and zero ground using a 400 grit atoma Diamond Stone.
  • Hand sanding the blade required four different positions for polishing.
  • The handle block was shaped, drilled, and bedded onto the Tang using epoxy for a tight fit.
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