{"reviews":[{"id":7373540,"locale":"en_US","rating":4,"title":"Love the blade","text":"I’ve always wanted a decent katana and cold steel has always been a go to for me. I bought this to frankly play with and display so I really dig that Damascus blade. It’s great looking. \n\nThe gold parts on my examples look like tarnished brass blobs. I don’t see a dog or a lion anywhere hehe. Just gold bubble blobs. The handle is just a bit loose, esp the pommel part. I’m ok with all that. Scabbard needed its fittings glued into place and the laquer scratches easy; no big deal to me.\n\nAll in all,I love the specs on the sword itself: nice true Damascus steel polished up nicely, it’s daily light weight I suppose because it’s not overly built for straight up abuse-I prefer this because I won’t be hacking at anything. I’d like to learn some technique now! Yep. A solid B grade. Worth what I paid for it.","textLength":809,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":0,"downVotes":0,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Nero","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":null,"state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2025-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"design aesthetics","score":0.44},{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.59},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.4},{"name":"handle comfort","score":0.43},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.63},{"name":"scabbard fit","score":0.61},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.49},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.4}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364776,"locale":"en_US","rating":2,"title":"Disappointed","text":"Sword blade is sharp and well made. The scabbard is not custom fit to the sword and needs adjustment to fit. Very disappointing in this price range. It appears to me as the consumer there are zero quality controls in place to identify issues like these before they are shipped out. Seems simple enough to check that but obviously it didn’t happen.","textLength":347,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":0,"downVotes":0,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Traveling Man","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"Springhill, SC","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2025-07-26T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.8},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.56},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.66},{"name":"scabbard fit","score":0.84},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.52},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.52}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364773,"locale":"en_US","rating":4,"title":"One of the best Damascus katanas under $1000","text":"Bought from Amazon at a nice discount. Blade did not fit in the sheath! Brand new! Light sanding and it was fine. \nIt is a very balanced, solid feeling and sharp sword. \nI’ve had a few of their katanas before like warrior series and double-edged… the gold lion feels stronger and better balanced than both. Maybe it is the Damascus steel vs carbon 1060? \nFor the $400-550 range, it’s one of the better swords I’ve owned and used. \nOnly one I have that’s better at similar is a Damascus Ulfbert Viking sword from different maker and it is LIGHT, like swinging a stick that can cut thru a side of beef.\n\nCons: besides not fitting in the sheath.. it’s the hamon (wavy line at the blade edge) doesn’t go all the way to the tip, they should have made it all the way across.","textLength":768,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":0,"downVotes":0,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Albertt","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"CA","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2025-06-06T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.51},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.62},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.52},{"name":"scabbard fit","score":0.49},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.53},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.64}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364772,"locale":"en_US","rating":5,"title":"Good buy","text":"Beautiful construction. Great balance and blade edge. Very impressed.","textLength":69,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":0,"downVotes":0,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Alex7202","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"Texas","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2025-05-04T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.5},{"name":"design aesthetics","score":0.58},{"name":"construction craftsmanship","score":0.54},{"name":"edge performance","score":0.52},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.51},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.6}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364774,"locale":"en_US","rating":5,"title":"Great weapon","text":"This is a lightweight well-made weapon, and as with all Cold Steel verry sharp","textLength":78,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":1,"downVotes":0,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Blood Hammer","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"Angola Indiana","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2025-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.45},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.4},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.52}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364771,"locale":"en_US","rating":5,"title":"Katana","text":"This Katana is very nice. I have only knives to compare it to, but the coolness factor is best. I feels good in the hands. You need to add care and feeding of this blade; what oil, what to clean. care of the scabbard. If you want a Japanese sword then you need to go to Japan. However, if you would like an American Katana, this blade is perfect. Be very careful with this blade.","textLength":379,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":3,"downVotes":1,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Pedro Katana","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":null,"state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2024-08-09T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.58},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.48},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.58},{"name":"scabbard fit","score":0.75},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.46},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.5}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364777,"locale":"en_US","rating":5,"title":"Security Provessional Pro review","text":"I have carried Cold Steel knives during my 20 year military career, my years in the Algerian desert, with DOE and as a matter of choice in civilian life. From my perspective, one cannot select a better, essential tool to meet rugged demands in any situation. Take a close look, compare, and you will agree with this assessment.","textLength":327,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":7,"downVotes":20,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Woody","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"Los Alamos","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2023-06-01T00:00:00-04:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]},{"id":7364775,"locale":"en_US","rating":5,"title":"Beautiful sword","text":"My wife bought it for me for our 16th Anniversary 1/26/22. I have three Cold Steel Swords now and I’m very happy with each one.","textLength":127,"csFlag":false,"inappropriateFlag":false,"reviewedFlag":false,"autoModerated":false,"published":true,"incentivized":false,"upVotes":37,"downVotes":2,"orderId":null,"dimensions":[],"responses":[],"tags":[],"media":{"photo":[],"video":[],"audio":[]},"user":{"nickName":"Bert","firstName":null,"lastName":null,"emailAddress":null,"externalId":null,"city":"silver Spring, Md","state":null,"country":null,"ageRange":null,"badge":null,"shopperProfiles":[]},"reviewedDate":null,"purchaseDate":null,"dateCreated":"2022-01-26T00:00:00-05:00","customData":[],"incentiveType":null,"campaign":null,"deviceFingerprint":null,"topics":[{"name":"blade sharpness","score":0.42},{"name":"sword weight","score":0.58},{"name":"blade durability","score":0.41},{"name":"steel quality","score":0.51},{"name":"sword balance","score":0.61}],"syndication":{"sourceName":"Cold Steel","siteUrl":"https://www.coldsteel.com/","logoUrl":"https://images.turnto.com/site/syndicationlogos/5104_LH48.png"},"catalogItems":[{"sku":"813628-CS-88ABK","title":"Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana Sword","url":"https://www.scheels.com/p/813628-CS-88ABK","category":"hunting-knives-tools-swords","reviewCount":8,"ratingCount":8,"averageRating":4.4,"ratingBreakdown":{"1":0,"2":1,"3":0,"4":2,"5":5},"active":true,"attributes":[]}]}],"offset":0,"limit":10,"total":8}"Full Description:\nThe Cold Steel Gold Lion Katana represents a Samurais every day carry sword for personal protection, and the defense of his Lord, his family and his home. Significantly lighter than some of our other heavier-duty Katanas, it is not only faster in-hand, but easier and more comfortable to carry when tucked into an Obi and worn all day. The Katanas Menuki bears the symbol of the Japanese Shisa (Lion Dog) a guardian or protector - a fitting motif for this beautiful lightweight sword. Measuring just under thirty inches, the Gold Lion Katanas blade is made from expertly hand honed and highly polished Damascus steel, with an Hamaguri grind, peaked Lori Mune spine and undulating clay-tempered Hamon. The black iron Tsuba, Fuchi and Kashira all have gleaming 24 carat gold leaf accents and the handle features white ray-skin and a black silk cord wrap.\n\nSpecifications:\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Weight: 28.7 oz\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Blade Thickness: 6 mm\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Blade Length: 30 in\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Blade Steel: Damascus\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Handle Length/Material: 11.25 in\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Overall Length: 41.25 in\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Additional Features: Black lacquered wood scabbard, samé (ray skin) handle with black braid cord, and brass menuki\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sword Style: Japanese\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Blade Length Range: 20–30 in\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Steel Family: Damascus\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n"
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