Eric Santucci
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2006
- Messages
- 90
This is an absolutely exceptional and breathtaking sword made by Rick Barrett, (mei: Tosa Hisa). The sword is the current centerpiece of my collection. I had this blade custom designed in late 2002 and finally received it in March 2006.
The blade is flawless, never used to cut and cared for as a true masterpiece would be cared for. It is inspired by a historical piece from 1667 (which can be viewed in 100 Masterpieces of Walter Compton Collection book). It is made from 1095/1045 modern steels forge folded creating over 3000 layers. This has created a beautiful mokume hada that glimmers with hues of blue and purple iridescence when held just right in the light. The polish was completed by professional sword polisher Brandon Thell of Forever Edge.
Rick no longer makes 1095/1045 forge folded blades since he has developed his own orishagane, so this is indeed a rare piece.
The fittings are all custom hand made by Patrick Hastings of Tagane Arts – fuchi-kashira, tsuba, and menuki. The tsuba was cold forged in a grey/black steel with fine ishime texture and has a raised hammered rim. It is “pierced” with a design of a phoenix. The menuki are solid silver phoenixes. The fuchi-kashira were cold forged and consist of the same material as tsuba in fine ishime texture with a single band of solid silver inlaid into them. The seppas were forged by Rick and are solid silver. The habaki is solid silver and beautifully forged by Rick. The saya is done in true fine ishime stone texture with horn fittings. The tsuka is done in katatamaki (battle wrap) in high grade black leather ito with full same wrap that has been laquered black and sanded to create a misty grey color. Large nodes are evident within the same. One of Rick’s high quality mounters had completed the gorgeous mounting work for this sword.
There is only one small issue with the saya, which is a pinpoint nick approximately .5 millimeters in diameter. This small flaw is mostly unnoticeable and not problematic in any way to the use of the sword (see photo).
Detailed Specifications:
Shinogi-zukuri Katana with koshizori
Nagasa: 28 inches
Kissaki: extended chu-kissaki, 1.5 inches
Motokasane: 10mm
Motohaba: 35mm
Sakikasane: 8mm
Sakihaba: 25mm
Nakago: 9 inches
Mekugi: 2 mekugiana; held in tsuka with 2 traditional bamboo peg
Tsuka length: 11in (approx 11.5 with fuchi-kashira)
The sword has never been used for cutting and has been well taken care of – stored in a smoke free, temperature controlled room and oiled regularly. This blade would be an excellent display piece or a very fine blade for cutting due to its thick niku and elegant shape.
I am offering this blade at $11,000 USD. The price includes a beautiful sword bag with fujishimo cord and shipping/insurance via FedEx within the United States. I will accept PayPal or a cashier’s check for this sword. If paying via Paypal, the buyer is responsible for any PayPal fees that I incur in the process (usually 3 to 3.5% of the total). Sword ships upon form of payment clearing.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you require additional photos – thank you.
Reasonable offers are welcome!
The blade is flawless, never used to cut and cared for as a true masterpiece would be cared for. It is inspired by a historical piece from 1667 (which can be viewed in 100 Masterpieces of Walter Compton Collection book). It is made from 1095/1045 modern steels forge folded creating over 3000 layers. This has created a beautiful mokume hada that glimmers with hues of blue and purple iridescence when held just right in the light. The polish was completed by professional sword polisher Brandon Thell of Forever Edge.
Rick no longer makes 1095/1045 forge folded blades since he has developed his own orishagane, so this is indeed a rare piece.
The fittings are all custom hand made by Patrick Hastings of Tagane Arts – fuchi-kashira, tsuba, and menuki. The tsuba was cold forged in a grey/black steel with fine ishime texture and has a raised hammered rim. It is “pierced” with a design of a phoenix. The menuki are solid silver phoenixes. The fuchi-kashira were cold forged and consist of the same material as tsuba in fine ishime texture with a single band of solid silver inlaid into them. The seppas were forged by Rick and are solid silver. The habaki is solid silver and beautifully forged by Rick. The saya is done in true fine ishime stone texture with horn fittings. The tsuka is done in katatamaki (battle wrap) in high grade black leather ito with full same wrap that has been laquered black and sanded to create a misty grey color. Large nodes are evident within the same. One of Rick’s high quality mounters had completed the gorgeous mounting work for this sword.
There is only one small issue with the saya, which is a pinpoint nick approximately .5 millimeters in diameter. This small flaw is mostly unnoticeable and not problematic in any way to the use of the sword (see photo).
Detailed Specifications:
Shinogi-zukuri Katana with koshizori
Nagasa: 28 inches
Kissaki: extended chu-kissaki, 1.5 inches
Motokasane: 10mm
Motohaba: 35mm
Sakikasane: 8mm
Sakihaba: 25mm
Nakago: 9 inches
Mekugi: 2 mekugiana; held in tsuka with 2 traditional bamboo peg
Tsuka length: 11in (approx 11.5 with fuchi-kashira)
The sword has never been used for cutting and has been well taken care of – stored in a smoke free, temperature controlled room and oiled regularly. This blade would be an excellent display piece or a very fine blade for cutting due to its thick niku and elegant shape.
I am offering this blade at $11,000 USD. The price includes a beautiful sword bag with fujishimo cord and shipping/insurance via FedEx within the United States. I will accept PayPal or a cashier’s check for this sword. If paying via Paypal, the buyer is responsible for any PayPal fees that I incur in the process (usually 3 to 3.5% of the total). Sword ships upon form of payment clearing.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you require additional photos – thank you.
Reasonable offers are welcome!
