CAS Hanwei Practical Plus XL Katana

Product detailed description

CAS Hanwei Practical Plus XL Katana – maximum cutting performance for demanding targets

The Practical Plus XL Katana offers everything that has earned the Practical series its reputation as one of the best training katanas on the market – and adds significantly more powerful XL blade geometry, designed for the most effective penetration of heavy targets.

Like the classic Practical Plus, the XL variant retains traditional features such as a hand-forged blade made of 1566 high-carbon steel, differential hardening with a blade hardness of HRC 60 and a spine hardness of HRC 40, genuine stingray skin on the handle, and a solid two-pin tsuka construction. The newly redesigned fittings (tsuba, fuchi, kashira, menuki) are based on the original classics, to which CAS Hanwei has added cleaner and sharper lines using modern tools – precisely in the spirit of the older originals.

Designed for heavy cutting

In the mid-2000s, the Performance Series was created in response to the needs of practitioners who required different blade geometries for specific types of cuts. This philosophy also gave rise to the XL, XL Light, and Elite profiles – now the industry standard.

The Practical Plus XL Katana was created from the outset for maximum cutting power in tough targets. Thanks to its wide, solid, and stable blade, it can handle not only tatami omote and lighter materials, but also properly prepared thick bamboo. Simply put, if you're looking for a katana with brutal cutting power, the XL is the one for you.

A tradition you can rely on

Since its introduction in the 2000s, CAS Hanwei's practical series has maintained its position as the standard for functional and affordable practice katanas. Although often imitated, competitors have never been able to truly replicate the quality of the original.

After the original Hanwei forge closed in 2024, production was taken over by a team of masters from Dragon King Forge, led by Frenchie Jin, the original Hanwei engineer. Thanks to this, the quality and spirit of the brand have been preserved.

XL blade designed for maximum cutting performance on heavy targets
Hand-forged blade made of 1566 high-carbon steel
Differential hardening (HRC 60/40)
Genuine stingray skin + high-quality tsuka-ito
Two-pin handle construction
Newly redesigned traditional forging
Fully functional and suitable for intensive training

Total length: 104.1 cm
Blade length: 71.8 cm
Handle length: 28.6 cm
Weight: 1,304 g
Balance point: 15.2 cm
Width at guard: 36.3 mm
Width at tip: 27.3 mm
Thickness at guard: 6.8 mm
Thickness at tip: 4.2 mm
Sori: 19 mm
Blade material: 1566 steel
Blade hardness: 60 HRC
Back hardness: 40 HRC