The Cold Steel Emperor Series Tanto features an Habaki (blade collar) that is hand made out of nickel-silver brass and each hilt is covered in SamA (ray skin) and tightly wrapped in the traditional style with black silk cord. A beautiful Menuki (a small ornamental sculpture inserted between the ray skin and the cord wrappings on the handle) enhances the aesthetic appearance. The blade is made with 1055 carbon steel, and heat treated to a spring temper. The blade surface is then given a careful polish by hand, with a distinctive mirror polish applied to the fuller.