Description
The Handpan Arsha Nitrided – 9 Notes D Kurd in Gloss Black turns the world’s most-loved handpan scale into something sleek and dramatic. Its nitrided steel surface is finished to a deep, reflective shine — black like polished obsidian, catching highlights as it moves — while the warm, meditative D Kurd scale keeps the sound grounded beneath the gloss.
A handpan is built from two domed shells joined at the rim and played with the fingers and the heels of the palms. On the Arsha, the top shell holds the low central doum and eight tone fields, while the lower shell carries the gu port that releases the bass. It stays beginner-friendly throughout, so first melodies come easily.
A Polished Black Shine
The gloss black finish is what sets this Arsha apart. Nitriding — a heat treatment that hardens the steel and darkens it from within — gives the surface a tough, even base, and the polished topcoat lifts it to a mirror-like gleam. Under stage lights or a window, the black comes alive with reflections and depth, making it as much a visual statement as a musical one. It is the finish for players who want presence: striking on camera, elegant on stage, and a natural companion to its quieter sibling, the Matte Black Arsha.
Why the D Kurd Scale?
For all its bold looks, this handpan speaks in the gentlest of voices. D Kurd (D minor) is the most widely played handpan scale because it is so forgiving — its nine notes are laid out to harmonise naturally, so improvising feels effortless from the start. Calm, warm and endlessly listenable, it balances the instrument’s dramatic finish with a sound that soothes rather than dazzles — at home in sound healing as easily as on stage.
Specifications
| Instrument | Handpan |
| Brand / line | Arsha |
| Series | Nitrided |
| Colour | Gloss black |
| Scale | D Kurd (D minor) |
| Notes | 9 (1 central doum + 8 tone fields) |
| Note layout | D3 · A3, A♯3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4 |
| Tuning | 440 Hz |
| Material | Nitrided Dc04 steel |
| Diameter | 58 cm |
| Height | 28 cm |
| Weight | 4.3 kg |
| SKU | ARH-5 |
Care & Maintenance
A glossy finish rewards a little care. Wipe the surface with a soft, dry microfiber cloth after playing to lift fingerprints and keep the shine clear, and avoid abrasive cloths, steel wool or harsh solvents that could scratch it. Nitrided steel is naturally rust-resistant, but in humid or coastal air a light, even film of handpan oil helps protect the gloss. Keep it in a padded case, out of direct sun.
Learn more about the instrument’s history and construction on Wikipedia.
Worldwide shipping & 15-day return.
