David Mirabile RONIN Battle Tanto WIP (PAGE 25 NEW CUTTING VIDEO)

What great project, very cool to see someone so passionate about something. It looks to be an amazing collaboration between you and David.
 
VicS said:
What great project, very cool to see someone so passionate about something. It looks to be an amazing collaboration between you and David.
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Thx VicS

Believe me David and I have discussed what makes a great blade but my input other than small things after initial performance conversation is limited to a list of features like reinforced mouth of SAYA etc the rest is all David

He has studied this stuff and what makes a performance enhanced blade like this is fact not opinion

There are a few what I like to call battlefield smiths out there ...... That means they would be at home forging a blade in primative conditions like an armorer on an ancient battlefield ...... David is one of these rare metal mashing monsters :)
 
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The Tsuba is coming along

David is going to inscribe the RONIN Character into the Tsuba

This symbol is dear to me

It is tattooed on my arm and I have owned 2 different boats named RONIN

So we will officially name this piece THE RONIN BATTLEFIELD TANTO :)



From David :

The tsuba has been fit to the blade. I decided to forge the habaki into the bo hi. I also bedded the nakago in tsuka. That way there is contact inside along the fuller and tsuka. Nice tight fit.
Still need to make seppa. I'll wrap the handle this afternoon








 
Incredible!!!!

David absolutely rocks it out!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To expound on the Tsuba and the Habaki a little more.......when I posted I was on my way out the door

Many would of left the Habaki as it was meaning not formed into the BoHi (fuller)

David choose not too :)

Again it would of been totally exceptable to not have the Habaki formed to the BoHi and the above pictures are during the fitting process so you are not seeing the finished project

As for the RONIN carving

David will be using a Japanese chisel and scribing the characters

Very cool indeed
 
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This thing is shaping up to b pretty darn awesome. Love the blade, wish I had gotten to handle it at the show. Looking forward to the rest of the process and finished product. :)
 
Beautiful Menuki

JParanee said:
Blade

Thank you for the kind words

As you know I love this stuff and Japanese inspired blades are the ones that started my fascination will all blade arts and crafts

If you've never handled a battle oriented Japanese impaired blade from a top tier maker do yourself a favor and do so :)

As for the bikes you are right

The roads are not what they were when I started that's for sure

I started riding at 6 years old off road and have ridden on the road for 32 years

Ive always had an assortment of bikes in the garage and I still 5 or so in the garage counting dirt bikes etc

My primary road bikes these days are a tuned Ducati

(PIC)

But the bike I layed down was a KTM Super Moto that I've been building for awhile

(PIC)

I wasn't a 100 yds from my house when I hit a turn that they had just did some repairs on and tarred the cracks and repair area

I hit the tar and my front washed out and I hit the ground :)

Totally my fault

I had on boots , jeans and a full face helmet but the same 95 degree weather that had the tar like oil had me leave my riding jacket and gloves at home

Dumb ass :)
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I know your love for these blades and you've certainly made me interested in certain aspects like Hartsfield blades, Kwaikens and other Japanese inspired blades above the interest, which I believe us blade aficionados all (or most) share in regards to Japanese blades - original blades or inspired.

Trust me, Id dearly like to handle a battle oriented Japanese blade from a top tier maker. Not to mention owning such a blade - but other knife projects not to mention motorcycle projects seem to get in the (financial) way all too often!

Speaking of which; very nice DUC. I was looking into getting a DUC at some point and in general like most DUCs but the riding position on most Italian bikes dont agree with me. Im 6,4 and almost pulled a hernia when on my buddys Agusta F4. Its a fantastic machine but I simply cant ride it comfortably.

When we are out riding, the wailing of the Agusta engine is goose bump inducing! Tamburini was a great designer. The Hartsfield of motorcycle design:)

Big fan of KTM as well. I lusted after a Super Duke but ended up with buying (yet another) vintage bike instead.



Mecha said:
My thanks to you for the kind words, and for the work you do in support of custom blade-making. The enthusiasm of folks like you is like rocket fuel, propelling the constant evolution of swords and knives.

Hopefully the (grinder) dust won't settle anytime soon! :)
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Ive stated something along these lines before (though not so eloquently) and I second this.
 
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BenR.T. said:
David's my hero.
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You know, after meeting him this year at Blade, I couldn't agree more. Totally overlooking his work, which NO ONE should do, the guy is just as real as they come, and may have been one of the most impressive personalities I met at the show.

David is DEFINITELY one of my heroes. :)


...this thread has me thinking about a lot of things. Thanks, Joey.
 
BladeScout said:
Beautiful Menuki



I know your love for these blades and you've certainly made me interested in certain aspects like Hartsfield blades, Kwaikens and other Japanese inspired blades above the interest, which I believe us blade aficionados all (or most) share in regards to Japanese blades - original blades or inspired.

Trust me, Id dearly like to handle a battle oriented Japanese blade from a top tier maker. Not to mention owning such a blade - but other knife projects not to mention motorcycle projects seem to get in the (financial) way all too often!

Speaking of which; very nice DUC. I was looking into getting a DUC at some point and in general like most DUCs but the riding position on most Italian bikes dont agree with me. Im 6,4 and almost pulled a hernia when on my buddys Agusta F4. Its a fantastic machine but I simply cant ride it comfortably.

When we are out riding, the wailing of the Agusta engine is goose bump inducing! Tamburini was a great designer. The Hartsfield of motorcycle design:)

Big fan of KTM as well. I lusted after a Super Duke but ended up with buying (yet another) vintage bike instead.





Ive stated something along these lines before (though not so eloquently) and I second this.
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Thank you my friend for the kind words

I'm just an old knife hack with the right friends and a love of the blade arts

The Ducati is known as the rack ..... It is that uncomfortable

Low bars and high pegs turn all into a jockey

It was designed to win races not cruise and believe me it is very uncomfortable for anything longer than a spirited run

As I get older the less it gets ridden

Years ago I used to use it for track days etc

It's one of those things that I've had so long and put so much in to it I hate to sell it

ERALDO Ferraci tuned it and it runs and sounds great

Ives been riding Italian bikes for decades back to the 851's and 888's . There's still an old Benelli in my garage from the late 60's :)

As for the KTM

This is one of my favorite bikes

I can sit up straight on it and when I hit traffic take to a field or railroad bed :)

It's like riding the worlds most powerful dirt bike on the road :)

It started life as an Enduro R



Than with the addition of a lot of parts







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[URL=http://s200.photobucket.com/user/jparanee/media/Vehicles/e4f2ac268d355d2c471adb5ebc636564.jpg.html]



It's a fun bike :)
 
Matthew Gregory said:
You know, after meeting him this year at Blade, I couldn't agree more. Totally overlooking his work, which NO ONE should do, the guy is just as real as they come, and may have been one of the most impressive personalities I met at the show.

David is DEFINITELY one of my heroes. :)


...this thread has me thinking about a lot of things. Thanks, Joey.
Click to expand...

Hi Matt

How are you handsome :)

Call me so we can catch up
 
JParanee said:
Thank you my friend for the kind words

I'm just an old knife hack with the right friends and a love of the blade arts

The Ducati is known as the rack ..... It is that uncomfortable

Low bars and high pegs turn all into a jockey

It was designed to win races not cruise and believe me it is very uncomfortable for anything longer than a spirited run

As I get older the less it gets ridden

Years ago I used to use it for track days etc

It's one of those things that I've had so long and put so much in to it I hate to sell it

ERALDO Ferraci tuned it and it runs and sounds great

Ives been riding Italian bikes for decades back to the 851's and 888's . There's still an old Benelli in my garage from the late 60's :)

As for the KTM

This is one of my favorite bikes

I can sit up straight on it and when I hit traffic take to a field or railroad bed :)

It's like riding the worlds most powerful dirt bike on the road :)

It started life as an Enduro R



Than with the addition of a lot of parts







[/URL

[URL=http://s200.photobucket.com/user/jparanee/media/Vehicles/e4f2ac268d355d2c471adb5ebc636564.jpg.html]



It's a fun bike :)
Click to expand...

I know this is off topic. Have you considered getting the Ducati resprung or revalved? I've been riding KTMs for years. Old Huskys too.
 
Willie71 said:
I know this is off topic. Have you considered getting the Ducati resprung or revalved? I've been riding KTMs for years. Old Huskys too.
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Motorcycle parts can be forged into sword parts. There, back on topic! :D
 
Willie71 said:
I know this is off topic. Have you considered getting the Ducati resprung or revalved? I've been riding KTMs for years. Old Huskys too.
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No

The suspension is very good

It's been dialed in for me and works well

The first work I do on a bike is suspension setup

The Ktm was done as soon as I got it

Even added a Kouba link and dropped the front forks it handles great also .... Maybe to confidence inspiring :)

 
Okay

The elements of a knife break down into a few categories

We are on to the Tsuka (handle)

A blade that is meant to be used especially in the manner this blade is going to be used needs to have a lot of attention in this area

The classic Japanese handle was done the way it was for a reason

They needed it to facilitate maximum retention wh9le the knife was drawn and used

Anyone that has done a lot of cutting knows you do not stink the blade like a bat

Your hand will remain relaxed until almost impact and than the act of tightening your grip and snapping your wrist while drawing thru the target will give you the most effective and when done correctly devastating cut

What can be cut through is incredible

The classic hour glass shape along with a correctly wrapped handle and Menuki placement facilitates a very functional grip and excellent hand placement orientation

Grip and hand orientation are beyond critical

The best swing and snap and follow thru means nothing if the edge is not being directed in the right angle

The oval cross section shape is excellent for this

The wrap used bynDavid is a carbon fiber Ito (flat cord) that will be lightly impregnate with a resin to make it almost indestructible and actually easy to keep clean

David knows how to wrap

Beautiful tight wraps spaced perfectly and done so tightly that the end result is a work of functional art

The oval shaped domed Menuki should offer some nice Palm swell and indexing

Now STeven would shriek at the length of this handle ...... I love it and would want nothing less

It is almost 7 1/2 inches long

The handle has a beautiful elongated hour glass shape and for someone like me that changes grips and hand position frequently it is a dream come true






The Ivory Menuki on top of the dark carbon with the carbon wrap Ito to my eye is art




Here he is drilling the Megugi Nakago




You can see one of the Seppa (spacer) on the tang


 
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