Key Highlights:
- The Katana is a late-game melee weapon hidden in a deep eastern bunker.
- Requires the Rebreather, Rope Gun, Shovel, Maintenance Keycard, and Guest Keycard.
- Found on Level 2 of the facility, displayed across from a kitchenette.
The Katana is one of the most iconic melee weapons in Sons of the Forest, and like in the first game, it rewards players who favour speed and precision. It’s incredibly fast, slicing through unarmoured cannibals and weaker mutants before they can counter, though it does demand a more aggressive, close-range style.
It can even be upgraded with Solafite plating, making it more powerful and visually distinct.
I always treat it as my finesse weapon; when other tools feel clunky, the Katana is smooth, reliable, and devastating in the right hands. Its attack speed and dismemberment power let it sever limbs before enemies fully collapse, making it lethal for crowd control.
Getting it, though, is a journey. You’ll need several progression items first: the Rebreather and Rope Gun to secure the Shovel, then the Maintenance Keycard and Guest Keycard to unlock the bunker doors.
These steps will naturally push you into the game’s most dangerous areas, where mutants and dark caverns force you to prepare carefully. I recommend grabbing the Flashlight Attachment and plenty of consumables before committing to the deeper bunkers.
The Maintenance Keycard comes from Digsite A, north of the mountain. Dig up the hatch by the golf carts and descend into the bunker, where the keycard rests on a desk by the 3D Printer.
Later, you’ll need the Guest Keycard, found in the Recreational bunker near the western beach. Expect resistance inside; mutants crowd its second-floor bar area, and supplies will drain quickly if you aren’t efficient.
Once you’re ready, the Katana cave sits on the far east side of the island, marked by a green GPS signal near a large lake. Look for a small peninsula off the coast and a circular road nearby to confirm you’re in the right spot.
Enter the cave and drop into the facility below. The stairs leading upward can be ignored as they lead nowhere; instead, continue downward through the stairwells and linear halls until you hit the first security door. Use the Guest Keycard to open it.
From there, the complex spreads across multiple levels. Level 1 contains corridors, supply rooms, and items like the Putter and Flashlight Attachment. Clear it and move down to Level 2.
Continue deeper, and the second open door on the right leads to the Katana, sitting proudly on its display stand. The third open door on the right contains the Gold Armour, and on the lowest floor, just left of the final Keycard door, lies the Gold Mask on an operating table.
Before you leave, loot everything you can. Supplies and attachments are scattered throughout, and the lower floors open up into a cave exit behind double security doors. The Guest Keycard unlocks them, taking you back outside.
Equipping the Katana is done via the inventory or hotkeys. Its speed lets you dismember weaker enemies in one or two strokes, though it lacks the blunt stopping power of axes or the reach of the spear. Its block power is only average, so it’s best used with dodging and aggressive hit chains rather than standing your ground.
As a melee weapon, it’s exceptional – fast swings, long reach, and high damage without draining much stamina. In practice, it balances speed and power better than almost any other melee weapon, making it one of the strongest close-combat options in the game. If you’re a newbie and just starting out, then you should prioritise the Machete, as the Katana Sword is more of a late-game weapon.
For me, it shines when fighting standard cannibals; the ability to chain hits quickly means they rarely recover. It’s less suited to tankier enemies, but paired with armour and quick footwork, it’s one of the best melee weapons for those who prefer skill-based combat.
Note: occasionally the Katana or its stand may not spawn due to a glitch. If this happens, try reloading your save or restarting the game.