#1 is done!

[Epsilon]

It's all finished. I also have it posted with more pics on the exchange (custom fixed blade area) with info, titled "Aikuchi". Here's one pick not in there. This is #1!

 

[ddavelarsen]

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY SPINOLI, Man, that is absolutely beautiful!

Please give some specs!

Dave

 

[Sylvester]

Nice first.

 

[richard rosvall]

Very nice!! Congratulations. Can't wait to see what's next.

 

[Andrew McLurkin]

That's a nice looking knife! Impressive first effort.

 

[Gib Guignard]

Looken good verv nice #1 Gib

 

[RDT]

Holy Crap !!!!!!!, that looks awesome ! Fine job man.....RDT

 

[Epsilon]

Thanx guys for all the wonderful compliments. It's not perfect by any means, a few little wubtle wobbles on the grind, but other that that I guess I shouldn't complain and just move on to the next one. Well, here are the specs (per request ddavelarsen) I dragged over from the exchange area:

Info
Blade is about 7"
Tang is about 6"

Traditional specs as follows:

Shobu Zukuri Tanto
-Aikuchi style

AISI C 1050 High Carbon Steel, hand ground
Hamon: Barely visible at this polish but still there in just the right light, is rather straight with some irregularities. No thinner than 1/4" wide, average about 5/16" width. Sort of a midare/chu-suguha combo I guess no visible habuchi, but maybe a better polish will reveal.
Nagasa: 6 15/16"
Nakago: 5 7/8"
Sori: none
Togi: Hand machined 180 grit arato equiv finish, very sharp
Mihaba: Approx 1 1/8th
Kasane: at machi, 1/4"
Mei: "Tetsu" means Iron, its my signature also
Ura-Mei: Numbered #1 and indicating steel type
Mekugi-Ana: 5/16" x1

Saya: Black laquered poplar
Habaki: Cast silver
Mekugi: Oak

 

[Epsilon]

All furniture and fittings are by Larry Gotkin.

 

[krept]

Very nice...

I hope to do as well as that after making a dozen blades or so.

 

[Robert Marotz]

Nicely done. The pics are a little deceiving as far as the edge goes though. Does it have a secondary bevel for the edge, or is it a "full grind" as per traditional shobu zukuri? I'd love to see some more detailed pics from various angles.

Good job.

 

[Epsilon]

Robert,
Yes, the grind is "full", wouldn't have it any other way. It has a subtle convexity from the shinogi down to hasaki in true Japanese form for such a blade. I'm working on closer ups still. I will get some of the edge. For now I have these other two...

-Jason

 

[Epsilon]

My signature as "tetsu"

 

[Epsilon]

Number and steel type

 

[Robert Marotz]

This isn't a negative or anything, but in the future you might want to be sure that the nakago has both distal and profile taper so that it seats nice and solid, sorta like a wedge, into the tsuka. Also be sure that there are some form of yasurime (file markings) for additional "grip" on the surface of the nakago below the habaki-moto.

Again, not dissing ya, but maybe stuff ya can incorporate into your future work.

and again, nicely done.

 

[Epsilon]

Actually, the tang was sort of a creation of mine. It does have a subtle taper opposite the spine. (I know, the picture doesn't show it well, my fault) It seems to fit well enough in the tsuka though and I kinda like the convexity of it. Just something a bit different. I do like the classic nakago a lot though. Especially with full dress yasurime! Very cool! Thank you for your suggestions though, they are respected and appreciated. I just knew someone would mention that tang. Ha ha

-Jason