A Sword Forged from
Panasonic Shaver Blade Steel
About This Project
Japanese swords represent premium quality and sharpness worldwide. Traditional Japanese craftsmanship realizes the utmost excellence. The same traditions bring greatness to the Panasonic shaver.
Our challenge was to use this outstanding craftsmanship to forge a Japanese sword from Panasonic shaver steel. Shaver blade stainless steel is extremely hard and difficult to fabricate. Our traditional swordsmith faced a surmountable challenge.
SHARPNESS OF PANASONIC SWORD PUT TO THE TEST
Excellent Cutting!
Iaijutsu is a combative quick-draw sword technique that involves rapidly removing a Japanese sword
from its scabbard in a single fluid movement and striking an opponent. Isao Machii, an Iaijutsu master,
used Panasonic's sword to cut a variety of objects.
Against Paprika, Excellent Cut!
Against Tomato, Excellent Cut!
Against Paprika, Excellent Cut!
Against a Tennis Ball, Excellent Cut!
Iaijutsu Master Isao Machii
Panasonic Sword & Panasonic Shaver
VERIFYING THE HARDNESS
Panasonic Sword Against a Copper Rod
Copper Rod: 5 mm Thickness; 1m Length. The copper rod lays on a wooden block to cut with Panasonic sword.
The Panasonic sword severs the copper rod like butter.
Panasonic Shaver Against a Copper Wire
Copper Wire: 0.12 mm.
A copper wire is inserted to cut with the shaver blade.
The Panasonic shaver blade easily severs the wire.
Panasonic Sword & Panasonic Shaver
VERIFYING DURABILITY
Continuous Cutting Performance
Against 10 Tatami Mats
Continuous Cutting Performance
Against Metal Whiskers
This sheet of 0.18 mm diameter copper wire represents a hard beard,
Blade Comparison (Damage/Deformation)
Both blades sustainable impeccable sharpness with no chipping and only minimal scratching.
No damage to either blade.
Comparison of Cut Cross Sections (Shape Similarities)
A microscopic image of each cross section shows almost identical clean cuts.
Both cutting edges demonstrate magnificent sharpness.
Panasonic Shaver Blades Forged for High Wear Resistance
Outer Blade
Steel pounded and hardened to achieve even denser steel properties realizes a Panasonic shaver blade with significantly greater hardness and durability than standard shaver blades. These Panasonic blades show only the most minimal amount of ware as seen in the picture after a year and a half of use. Anyone can now get a highly abrasion resistant blade with superior cutting performance that lasts.
Microscopic Image
Almost No Wear
30 Degree Secret to Sharpness
The edges of Japanese swords that demonstrate sharpness unlike anything anywhere
else in the world measure an average of 30 degrees*. The Panasonic shaver blade
adopts the same 30 degree angle to obtain a spectacular cutting edge.
* Source: Kuniichi Tawara, Scientific Research of Japanese Swords, Hitachi Review 1953
A Sword Forged from Panasonic Shaver Blade Steel
PROFILES OF COLLABORATORS
Swordsmith
Yuya Nakanishi
"At first, I was a little concerned about how to make a sword with the thin stainless steel plates I was given. After a lot of hard work involving thorough temperature control and plenty of patience, I finally completed the sword and thought, 'Done at last!' Nevertheless, dealing with a new steel material was fun. I shave with Panasonic shaver blades like everyone else, but as a swordsmith, I was surprised to see such technology packed into something so small."
Yuya Nakanishi was born in 1984 and was attracted to the mysterious beauty of Japanese swords as a teenager. Yuya Nakanishi became determined to become a swordsmith and began his seven years of training when he was 20. Yuya Nakanishi established his own workshop nestled in the picturesque mountains of Kyoto Prefecture in October 2014. His devotion to the practicality, spirituality, and art lives in the craftsmanship of Japanese swords.
Iaijutsu master
Isao Machii
"My first impression holding this sword was its lightness. This could be because of the sword's center of gravity or the uniformity of the metal. The wonderful balance makes the Japanese sword easy-to-wield. It's also pretty sharp and can even cut a cooper rod in half. The sword doesn't rust, so it's maintenance-free. I'd really like to have one myself."
Isao Machii was born in 1973. He became well versed in martial arts in his childhood, learning kendo at the age of seven with affinity for spearmanship using pole weapons and Japanese archery. Isao Machii teaches Iaijutsu at the Shushinkan while diligently continuing his training every day to prefect his own skill. Isao Machii has earned international acclaim as an Iaijutsu master with six Guinness World Records:
(1) Fastest 1,000 martial arts sword cuts (36 min, 4 sec) (2) Most martial arts katana cuts to one mat (8) (3) Most sword cuts to straw mats in three minutes (252) (4) Fastest tennis ball (820 km/h) cut by sword (5) Cutting a 6 mm BB gun pellet with a sword (350 km/hour) (6) Most sword cuts to straw mats in one minute (87)
Japanese Blade Technology
A Legacy of Quality, A Tradition of Innovation
Advancing the Japanese art of making exceptionally sharp and robust swords, Panasonic has applied state-of-the-art technology to develop blades of outstandingly high quality.
