12" blade for tanto, beautiful hamon diy

kevin -the professor

kevin -the professor

Feedback: +4 / =0 / -0
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
760
Greetings Everyone,

I made this blade to test the ability of low manganese 1075 to form a hamon. It is a beautiful 12" tanto or dao blade. I am most interested in making swords, and I was only testing the hamon of this alloy.

Therefore, I would like to sell this blade to someone who wants to design and fit out their own knife. The blade is polished to show hamon, but has a couple of smudges that the buyer may choose to polish out. It is exactly as pictured. To reach this point required 8 hours of hand polishing, which is another bonus the buyer will receive (the tremendous amount of labor to reach this level of polish is done). The buyer may want to play with continued polish and techniques to "bring out" more hamon activity. That is part of the allure of this particular blade, there is more there.

If the buyer wants, I will include a block of maple (or a couple of slabs of maple, bocote, or walnut) and a piece of mild steel, a piece of wrought iron and two pieces of copper. This will provide the buyer with the basics to craft a custom handle to go with this blade - a custom tanto or dao kit! (mild steel guard, wrought iron bolster and butt cap, copper washers for decoration, and wood for body of handle).

here is a link to the blade pics (they are also attached to a reply below):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=97782&id=1407177569&l=99aad977c2

bare blade (hybrid polished) = $85.00
Kit (blade as photo'd, wood for handle, material for bolster, butt cap, guard, and washers) = $125.00

please pm me if you are interested.

thanks,

Kevin
 
Last edited:
here is a direct link in case the other is not working.

Kevin
 

Attachments

  • willow leaf 1075 w hamon 022.jpg
    willow leaf 1075 w hamon 022.jpg
    15.6 KB · Views: 169
  • willow leaf 1075 w hamon 018.jpg
    willow leaf 1075 w hamon 018.jpg
    20.7 KB · Views: 230
  • willow leaf 1075 w hamon 017.jpg
    willow leaf 1075 w hamon 017.jpg
    13.4 KB · Views: 145
  • willow leaf 1075 w hamon 016.jpg
    willow leaf 1075 w hamon 016.jpg
    16.3 KB · Views: 131
This is amazing. I'd no use for it, and I really can't afford it. Yet part of me still tries to justify buying it.
 
Hello Everyone,
wow - I had a feeling there would be a strong contingent of people on this forum that wanted to fit their own blade and create a truly personal knife.

This one is SOLD! Nicely, one of my first customers bought another.

I love to make blades and play with making hamons on them. If you are interested in me making you a blade any length up to 12" and heat treating it to put a lively hamon, let me know. I will do it for $85 for bare blade or $125 for "kit" so you have everything to fit your own.

$125 kit
$85 bare blade (polished to show hamon but not a full "hybrid polish" which means you can play with etching and pummice and such to emphasize and enhance the hamon.

$50 If someone wants a blade that is heat-treated and ground but not polished


After 12" the price goes up, especially if you want me to polish it. However, I will do blades up sword length for people (26").

thanks,

Kevin
 
OK - I have agreed to sell 5 of these "kits" to people.

That is enough for me. It is a great value, and I will do it again some day (for a higher price).

But, I do this on weekends and during the month break of the holidays, so I have enough to make to keep me busy for awhile.

Thanks for your interest. I will be making blades for those I have contacted.

Kevin
 
I just received the first one, and wanted to share with the others.

The blade is really nice. Good fit, feel and heft. Great hamon. I love the slight blood groove.

Also, it was shipped in a tube which makes great sense rather than tapped together boxes. I am storing it in the tube until I decide what to do with it or send it to someone to finish. If you made his 'list' you will be very pleased.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top