- Joined
- Jun 5, 2002
- Messages
- 2,761
Wow! Just realized there is another Japanese sword by Bailey for sale right now, what are the odds of that! 
Well, anyway...
Here is a day I never thought would come, but I need a chunk of change to help pay some pretty staggering medical bills that we recently incurred, well, actually we incurred them some time ago, and only recently discovered our insurance didn't cover them, so, something expensive has to go and it's this wonderful piece.
Most people know Bailey makes some of the finest forged bowies and is one of the top Mastersmiths, but what many don't know is he is also an accomplished martial artist and world class swordsmith, in fact, he is one of just a very few American bladesmiths who is capable of crafting a fairly traditional Japanese sword of the quality you would see from some of Japan's best smiths. Since Bailey uses his own swords in training, he makes them to not only look good, but also to offer incredible performance.
This Wakizashi has a 20" blade forged from 1075, the Hamon is absolutely spectacular, it seems in the pictures to be a dark gray, jagged line, but in reality, it is that beautiful, frosty white, ghostly type of line, with TONS of activity, and, though it is impossible to pick up in a photo, there is significant Utsuri, which are shadows that follow the Hamon just above it, Utsuri is so prized because it shows tremendous skill and control over the tempering process, and indicates a superior heat treat.
All fittings are heat colored mild steel with colors ranging from deep, rich blue to bronze, brown and gold, everywhere you look, the steel fittings are inlayed with flush 24K gold. On the pommel, the flat side is deep blue, with 2 large Japanese characters also done in flush inlayed 24K gold, the 24K gold inlay is just beautiful, and the workmanship of the absolute highest caliber.
The Tsuba/guard is carved, covered with gold inlays and borders, the Habaki is traditional textured golden bronze.
The handle is mahogany wood, covered with natural, undyed ray skin, the cord is deep lavender and expertly wrapped. The sword can of course be disassembled by removing the single handle peg.
The scabbard/Saya is just gorgeous Pomelle Grain Bubinga wood with a finish that will knock your socks off, the fittings on the scabbard are all polished, caramel fossil ivory, again, just phenomenal work, and the scabbard is the perfect compliment and companion to the sword.
The sword will ship in and come with the largest Bill's Custom case made, in fact, he will not be making this size any more I am told, it's apparently too hard and time consuming to make them this big. This extremely fine and well made, gigantic black zipper/Cordura Bill's custom case cost me $85, but it is the only way to safely store and ship the sword. $85 may seem a lot for a case, but it's a wise investment in the long run. So, keep in mind that the Bill's case adds $85 of value to the sword, and again, it is $$$ well spent IMO. Also keep in mind that safely packing and shipping this sword with full insurance is not cheap, it will probably cost me at least $50 to ship it, so, between the case and the shipping, you need to realize that's another $135.
When you consider that a pretty plain Jane Hartsfield sword will run around $5,000, if Phil even made a sword of this complexity and quality it would surely be priced at $10,000-$15,000. But, Bailey's Japanese swords are some of the best bargains going, get this one for $SOLD!!! including the case, and fully insured, registered shipping. There is nowhere for Bailey's prices to go but up, I have a feeling in 10 years, you'd be paying closer to $5,000 for something like this. I wish I could hold onto it, but I do need the money.
This is around what you would pay if you ordered one of these from Bailey, but, it could be 1-2 years before he finishes it for you, get this one right now for a very fair price.
I must insist on payment in the form of a US Postal money order only, sorry, but thats how I need payment on this one.
You can of course return it if not satisfied, hard to imagine that happening, but nice to know.
First to email me and say they'll take it gets it.
Thanks for looking, here are the pics.
Ari
Well, anyway...Here is a day I never thought would come, but I need a chunk of change to help pay some pretty staggering medical bills that we recently incurred, well, actually we incurred them some time ago, and only recently discovered our insurance didn't cover them, so, something expensive has to go and it's this wonderful piece.
Most people know Bailey makes some of the finest forged bowies and is one of the top Mastersmiths, but what many don't know is he is also an accomplished martial artist and world class swordsmith, in fact, he is one of just a very few American bladesmiths who is capable of crafting a fairly traditional Japanese sword of the quality you would see from some of Japan's best smiths. Since Bailey uses his own swords in training, he makes them to not only look good, but also to offer incredible performance.
This Wakizashi has a 20" blade forged from 1075, the Hamon is absolutely spectacular, it seems in the pictures to be a dark gray, jagged line, but in reality, it is that beautiful, frosty white, ghostly type of line, with TONS of activity, and, though it is impossible to pick up in a photo, there is significant Utsuri, which are shadows that follow the Hamon just above it, Utsuri is so prized because it shows tremendous skill and control over the tempering process, and indicates a superior heat treat.
All fittings are heat colored mild steel with colors ranging from deep, rich blue to bronze, brown and gold, everywhere you look, the steel fittings are inlayed with flush 24K gold. On the pommel, the flat side is deep blue, with 2 large Japanese characters also done in flush inlayed 24K gold, the 24K gold inlay is just beautiful, and the workmanship of the absolute highest caliber.
The Tsuba/guard is carved, covered with gold inlays and borders, the Habaki is traditional textured golden bronze.
The handle is mahogany wood, covered with natural, undyed ray skin, the cord is deep lavender and expertly wrapped. The sword can of course be disassembled by removing the single handle peg.
The scabbard/Saya is just gorgeous Pomelle Grain Bubinga wood with a finish that will knock your socks off, the fittings on the scabbard are all polished, caramel fossil ivory, again, just phenomenal work, and the scabbard is the perfect compliment and companion to the sword.
The sword will ship in and come with the largest Bill's Custom case made, in fact, he will not be making this size any more I am told, it's apparently too hard and time consuming to make them this big. This extremely fine and well made, gigantic black zipper/Cordura Bill's custom case cost me $85, but it is the only way to safely store and ship the sword. $85 may seem a lot for a case, but it's a wise investment in the long run. So, keep in mind that the Bill's case adds $85 of value to the sword, and again, it is $$$ well spent IMO. Also keep in mind that safely packing and shipping this sword with full insurance is not cheap, it will probably cost me at least $50 to ship it, so, between the case and the shipping, you need to realize that's another $135.
When you consider that a pretty plain Jane Hartsfield sword will run around $5,000, if Phil even made a sword of this complexity and quality it would surely be priced at $10,000-$15,000. But, Bailey's Japanese swords are some of the best bargains going, get this one for $SOLD!!! including the case, and fully insured, registered shipping. There is nowhere for Bailey's prices to go but up, I have a feeling in 10 years, you'd be paying closer to $5,000 for something like this. I wish I could hold onto it, but I do need the money.
This is around what you would pay if you ordered one of these from Bailey, but, it could be 1-2 years before he finishes it for you, get this one right now for a very fair price.
I must insist on payment in the form of a US Postal money order only, sorry, but thats how I need payment on this one.
You can of course return it if not satisfied, hard to imagine that happening, but nice to know.
First to email me and say they'll take it gets it.
Thanks for looking, here are the pics.
Ari
