NOVA - Season 35 - Eps 1: Secrets of the Samurai Sword
English archers had their longbows, Old West sheriffs had their six-guns, but Japan’s samurai warriors had the most fearsome weapon of all: the razor-sharp, unsurpassed technology of the katana, or samurai sword. In this program, NOVA probes the centuries-old secrets that went into forging what many consider the perfect blade. Fifteen traditional Japanese craftsmen spent nearly six months creating the sword that NOVA follows through production, from smelting the ore to forging the steel to sharpening the blade to a keen edge capable of slicing through a row of warriors at one swoop.
About NOVA

Title: NOVA
First Air Date: 1974-03-03
Last Air Date: 2025-05-14
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 7/10 (from 127 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 53
Total Episodes: 1005
Network: PBS
Genres: Documentary
Production Companies: GBH
Synopsis
PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.