American Wakizashi

Sam Salvati

Sam Salvati

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
5,060
This was the blade from my Grindomatic 5000 thread, in which I used the Grindomatic5000 and my KMG's most awesome angle adjustable platen to do all the primary grinding and rough sanding up to 120, then it was easy to follow freehand to finish grind and polish. Blade is Aldo's 1084, tsuba is silicon bronze. 1/4" thick at the spine, 14 3/4" blade, 5 1/2" handle. Blades in the style of the Americanized tanto with the chisel tip and all that, 400 grit working finish. Critique and all that welcome, out of my usual realm all ground and polished clean like that.

198324_4211608819450_286280934_n.jpg


295350_4211608859451_1545702367_n.jpg


397716_4211608899452_136262561_n.jpg


397716_4211608979454_1643512760_n.jpg


397716_4211609019455_15151598_n.jpg


307066_4211612939553_16943007_n.jpg


545129_4211612979554_1803310716_n.jpg


168801_4211617259661_454736106_n.jpg


168801_4211617339663_2068134777_n.jpg
 
Thanks Dan!!! with such a steep geometry too, it cuts surpsingly fairly well.
 
Last edited:
Really nice ,Sam. I vote we call it the Samazashi.

I would suggest making the handle about 8-9" next time. You will see a huge difference in handling.
Have you epoxied the paracord yet?
 
I really like it, great work!

I think that tapering the blades width, even if only 1/8", would add tremendously to it's visual appeal.
 
The longer handle allows a better sword grip, as well as two hand use in certain cuts. It adds balance that makes the sword lighter in the hand and faster in the swing.
If you look at the photo of your hand holding the sword, you will see the pommel is on the heel of your hand. That will affect the sword as you rotate your hand, as well as limit the position of your hand to the foremost portion of the handle. In the other grip shot your hand has to move where the thumb is over the tsuba to hold it. This limits the power and rotation of the swing (and can easily loose a thumb in a real sword fight).

I know the cord feels tight as heck right now, but with a little use or a big strike, it can....and almost surely will.....move or loosen. The epoxy doesn't show, it just makes the cord rock solid and grippier.

None of that makes this " Samasalvati Campazashi" a bad sword, they are just tweaks that would make it a better cutter in a sword fight....which is unlikely.
 
bladsmth said:
The longer handle allows a better sword grip, as well as two hand use in certain cuts. It adds balance that makes the sword lighter in the hand and faster in the swing.
If you look at the photo of your hand holding the sword, you will see the pommel is on the heel of your hand. That will affect the sword as you rotate your hand, as well as limit the position of your hand to the foremost portion of the handle. In the other grip shot your hand has to move where the thumb is over the tsuba to hold it. This limits the power and rotation of the swing (and can easily loose a thumb in a real sword fight).

I know the cord feels tight as heck right now, but with a little use or a big strike, it can....and almost surely will.....move or loosen. The epoxy doesn't show, it just makes the cord rock solid and grippier.

None of that makes this " Samasalvati Campazashi" a bad sword, they are just tweaks that would make it a better cutter in a sword fight....which is unlikely.
Click to expand...

I really take objection to just about everything you state Stacy. It's a wakizashi, really a large tanto, at no time would I think a two hand grip would be required. In none of these photos am I holding it how I would if I were swinging it. in the photo where my thumb is over the tsuba, again so I could get the photo. It fits and maneuvers just fine in the cutting I have done so far with it, in fact I think if the handle was longer, it would bump into my wrist, and the balance point of 3 1/2" from the guard being moved back would lessen the presence of the blade in a cut.

As to the cord, I think you underestimate just how tight it is, and, it never seemed to be a problem in the old days whether to epoxy or not epoxy tsuka hehe. And what epoxy are you suggesting that doesn't show? Most I have ever seen give the handle wraps a shiny and hard uncomfortable feeling. There is a drop of superglue on the final knot (IMO the major weak point of the whole thing) to keep it from coming loose.

Also, it's not in any way a ridiculous camp sword :D
 
thanks guys! Mike, yes for sure.

Steve, yes I completely agree, being it was the test piece for the grindomatic, it really is just a bevel gorund on flat bar :D

Phil thanks for the links!
 
Great looking knife! I love the style.
 
bladsmth said:
Really nice ,Sam. I vote we call it the Samazashi.

I would suggest making the handle about 8-9" next time. You will see a huge difference in handling.
Have you epoxied the paracord yet?
Click to expand...

Nice grinds - looks great - increased handle length would give the user a two handed option, and increased leverage.
 
bladsmth said:
I may have said something that was taken wrong...email sent.
Click to expand...

He did say "Critique and all that welcome"...

Cool short sword Sam. :thumbup:

Though I'll bet your neighbors worry about you a little bit..
 
Stacy I hope my response didn't come off as defensive, just explaining why the photos are the way they are. You'll see it in person at Ashokan so you can make a better judgment then :D
 
I like it Sam! The grinds and lines look great. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top