Any information on knife

G

Garrett Loser

Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Messages
12
I have a tanto style knife. It has a 7in blade stamped japan has silk inlay. Trying to find any information on this blade. I got it in the 80s and never saved the box. Can anyone give any information as to manufacturer. I am willing to send pictures of it.
 
Garrett Loser said:
I have a tanto style knife. It has a 7in blade stamped japan has silk inlay. Trying to find any information on this blade. I got it in the 80s and never saved the box. Can anyone give any information as to manufacturer. I am willing to send pictures of it.
Click to expand...

As mentioned already, photos might help.

In the absence of photos let me ask the following questions-

Where did you get the knife from/how did you come by it?

If you bought it, do you remember what you paid for it?

What kind of box did it come in? Cardboard?

When you say "silk inlay" do you mean a traditional style cord-wrapped handle, like on a Samurai sword?

What kind of sheath or scabbard did it come with?

A lot of tanto-style knives were produced in Japan during the eighties, many were just cheap and generic. Even with pictures it could be difficult, if not impossible to identify it, especially if all the blade says is "Japan".
 
https://imgur.com/a/V0Mij0i


b6KnFZd.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I bought the knife when I was like 12 years old. I have used it for everything under the sun including cutting deer and elk. I believe I paid 40 bucks for it back then. The reason I am searching is my oldest son is getting married and he has always wanted this knife and I would love to give it to him with its history as a wedding gift. I am sure its not something has alot of value except sentimental.
 
Garrett Loser said:
Did the pic thing work?
Click to expand...

The pics showed, and pretty much tell the tale.

It looks like a generic souvenir/novelty type of knife. I don't think the wrap around the handle is silk, that would be expensive, could be any sort of material, nylon, dacron, cotton, etc, etc. And I'm guessing the purple piece under the wrap is plastic. Unless someone chimes in who has/had the same knife and knows the company that made it I doubt you will ever know.

I think it's great that the knife has served you well. Even cheap knives can be useful. And the sentimental connection it has between you and your son makes it valuable.
 
Last edited:
The purple is some type of cloth. And for the wrap i agree is some type rope type material. And your right it has served me well. But my son has always wanted it, even to threaten any body who thinks they might get it when I die some day.
 
Garrett Loser said:
The purple is some type of cloth. And for the wrap i agree is some type rope type material. And your right it has served me well. But my son has always wanted it, even to threaten any body who thinks they might get it when I die some day.
Click to expand...

As others have posted above, it's a vintage export oriented knife probably made by any number of makers. The 1980s was a time when ninja/samurai stuff was a major US boom. The ricasso and the stamped "Japan" are indicators. And I must agree regarding the materials used for the handle.
Out of curiosity do you have the original sheath/scabbard that came with it?
 
I'm confused, are you looking for another knife exactly like it to give to your son or are you giving him the one in the picture and looking for another one for yourself?
 
unwisefool said:
I'm confused, are you looking for another knife exactly like it to give to your son or are you giving him the one in the picture and looking for another one for yourself?
Click to expand...
I am giving my son this one. No I am not looking for another one. I just want information about this one.
 
KenHash said:
As others have posted above, it's a vintage export oriented knife probably made by any number of makers. The 1980s was a time when ninja/samurai stuff was a major US boom. The ricasso and the stamped "Japan" are indicators. And I must agree regarding the materials used for the handle.
Out of curiosity do you have the original sheath/scabbard that came with it?
Click to expand...
It came in a well made leather sheath with i still have it.
 
Garrett Loser said:
It came in a well made leather sheath with i still have it.
Click to expand...

-Any chance you could post a pic of that sheath?
-Does that handle come off? Personally I have my doubts, but your photo shows what appears to be a Mekugi. A pin in the handle that can be pushed out and the handle separated from the tang. Traditional Japanese Tantos often have writing on the tang. I do not know if that handle has a real Mekugi or a fake one.
 
KenHash said:
-Any chance you could post a pic of that sheath?
-Does that handle come off? Personally I have my doubts, but your photo shows what appears to be a Mekugi. A pin in the handle that can be pushed out and the handle separated from the tang. Traditional Japanese Tantos often have writing on the tang. I do not know if that handle has a real Mekugi or a fake one.
Click to expand...
Yes the pin moves but I am always afraid that if I remove it something will go wrong. I will post pic of sheath as soon as I can.
 
Garrett Loser said:
http://imgur.com/gallery/ryWbtms
Here is the sheath. I added the handle strap many years ago because it kept falling out as I went through the timber.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photo. I believe I "may" have identified your Tanto as a Valor model 621. In the mid 1980s Valor offered Tantos manufactured in Japan with 3 different handles. The 621 was the traditional Japanese wrap as in your knife. The model 622 was the same but with a rubber handle with pommel. And the model 618 was full tang with wood scales.The 618 also had a different grind, a chiseled kissaki tip, now commonly called an American Tanto tip. Valor of Miami was a big importer back then and had many other knives made in Seki Japan. Tak Fukuta and Ichiro Hattori both made a few models for them. These knives were fully marked on the ricasso, but I suspect these Tantos were not. Anyway this is my best guess.
OHIH9W.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top