I've already posted this at the sword forums but figured why not post here seeing how i've got the privilege? Maybe someone here has had the urge to own a top-of-the-line blade from one of the best American swordsmith/polishing duos... I dunno.
I have a Rick Barrett 1075 Katana currently being polished and mounted by Brandon Thell. I am interested in transferring the commission to someone else. Brandon has already given me the okay to have someone take my place straight-up. Business has gotten slow so I need to sell this.
Brandon is in the polishing state with the sword and will take the blade to full polish. After polishing, it will be one of the next swords in the queue for mounting.
I do not have any pictures of the sword, nor do I remember the dimensions (believe it was 27.5” and the tsuka was no more than 11” - not too long and not too short. I will get the exact dimensions for serious inquiries). There used to be a picture of it on Brandon’s website that I used as reference but he removed it and I was too foolish to save it before he took it down. The hamon was very unique as it went from wavy to straight, then back to wavy, then back to straight for the entire length of the blade. Sorry, I do not know the proper terminology for describing the hamon.
All the fittings are currently with Brandon. But below are pictures of the very high quality antique fittings before shipping them off to Brandon:
They are all top quality antique fittings, both of them hundreds of years old. I bought the antique fuchi and kashira from a respected dealer for $400. I searched high and low for these one-of-a-kind pine tree menuki that cost me much more from a private collection. I think they were well worth it, though. They do contain gold where visible.
The fittings were centered around honoring my Japanese family (In-laws). The tree menuki reflects the meaning of my wife's maiden name, the antique shakudo fuchi and kashira to represent the simplicity of a set that a real samurai may have used (and yes, this set may have been used by a real samuari), and a modern tsuba made by Mr. Yamazaki depicting my in-laws family crest. Anthony DiCristofano works directly with Mr. Yamazaki, IIRC. Sorry, I do not have a picture of the tsuba but it depicts a "Katabami Mon" in its entirety.
The saya is supposed to be done in pine needles, then lacquered and smoothed-out. Not sure how this is done. Not sure if they’re real needles and not a synthetic/other material. Rain pattern habaki, brown ito, black same.
This is really all I can think of at the moment. If interested then please PM/email me and we can talk. Prices reflect the current pricing for this type of high grade service - it does NOT include/factor-in time i've spent on the waiting list. I am not trying to increase my money here whatsoever. If you're concerned about the cost then please talk to someone in the know regarding katana commissions of this caliber or contact Brandon Thell directly as i've already paid him in full.
There are two options at the moment:
1) You take my spot in line which includes full mount, full polish. You also use the fittings I had in mind and theme. Basically, you get the sword I would of had. This package is $6500 or best, reasonable offer.
2)Everything mentioned above (full mount and polish) except you use your own fittings. You can also change the koshirae and overall theme. HOWEVER, if your koshirae concept is extravagant then additional costs MAY have to be negotiated with Brandon Thell and the mounters. But assuming your concept was on par with mine, then this package would cost you $5500 or best, reasonable offer.
This could be a great opportunity for someone as I am motivated to sell. If you've ever wanted the Bose equivalent of a custom katana, then here's your chance to significantly skip ahead in line for one.
I have a Rick Barrett 1075 Katana currently being polished and mounted by Brandon Thell. I am interested in transferring the commission to someone else. Brandon has already given me the okay to have someone take my place straight-up. Business has gotten slow so I need to sell this.
Brandon is in the polishing state with the sword and will take the blade to full polish. After polishing, it will be one of the next swords in the queue for mounting.
I do not have any pictures of the sword, nor do I remember the dimensions (believe it was 27.5” and the tsuka was no more than 11” - not too long and not too short. I will get the exact dimensions for serious inquiries). There used to be a picture of it on Brandon’s website that I used as reference but he removed it and I was too foolish to save it before he took it down. The hamon was very unique as it went from wavy to straight, then back to wavy, then back to straight for the entire length of the blade. Sorry, I do not know the proper terminology for describing the hamon.
All the fittings are currently with Brandon. But below are pictures of the very high quality antique fittings before shipping them off to Brandon:
They are all top quality antique fittings, both of them hundreds of years old. I bought the antique fuchi and kashira from a respected dealer for $400. I searched high and low for these one-of-a-kind pine tree menuki that cost me much more from a private collection. I think they were well worth it, though. They do contain gold where visible.
The fittings were centered around honoring my Japanese family (In-laws). The tree menuki reflects the meaning of my wife's maiden name, the antique shakudo fuchi and kashira to represent the simplicity of a set that a real samurai may have used (and yes, this set may have been used by a real samuari), and a modern tsuba made by Mr. Yamazaki depicting my in-laws family crest. Anthony DiCristofano works directly with Mr. Yamazaki, IIRC. Sorry, I do not have a picture of the tsuba but it depicts a "Katabami Mon" in its entirety.
The saya is supposed to be done in pine needles, then lacquered and smoothed-out. Not sure how this is done. Not sure if they’re real needles and not a synthetic/other material. Rain pattern habaki, brown ito, black same.
This is really all I can think of at the moment. If interested then please PM/email me and we can talk. Prices reflect the current pricing for this type of high grade service - it does NOT include/factor-in time i've spent on the waiting list. I am not trying to increase my money here whatsoever. If you're concerned about the cost then please talk to someone in the know regarding katana commissions of this caliber or contact Brandon Thell directly as i've already paid him in full.
There are two options at the moment:
1) You take my spot in line which includes full mount, full polish. You also use the fittings I had in mind and theme. Basically, you get the sword I would of had. This package is $6500 or best, reasonable offer.
2)Everything mentioned above (full mount and polish) except you use your own fittings. You can also change the koshirae and overall theme. HOWEVER, if your koshirae concept is extravagant then additional costs MAY have to be negotiated with Brandon Thell and the mounters. But assuming your concept was on par with mine, then this package would cost you $5500 or best, reasonable offer.
This could be a great opportunity for someone as I am motivated to sell. If you've ever wanted the Bose equivalent of a custom katana, then here's your chance to significantly skip ahead in line for one.
