- Joined
- Sep 13, 2001
- Messages
- 816
FInally took a couple of pics of this one. I will follow up with more pics in a day or so.
This is the tachi I had at the Reno. It is by far my most ambitous pice to date, and was a lot of fun to make. The theme os the fittings is more to envoke a feeling than it is to convey a meaning. The fuchi/kashira, saya-gane, kojiri, and koiguchi are all made of shakudo with 22k gold and silver leaves overlaid on them. They are also carved with leaves. The saya has two pearl leaves inlaid on it and shot with blue candy clear coat to give the idea thay are underwater. The idea of the dark, rich colors are to give a feeling of tranquility and peace. The tsuka is wrapped in jabara-ito, which is 8 strings of 1mm silk. It took four times as long to wrap this handle as it usually does with normal silk ito. It is done it white, to further convey a feeling of elegance and dignity. The menuki are 22k gold leaves. Finally, the tsuba is a strongly carved falcon ( Translates to Hayabusa) with a shakudo branch with gold and silver leaves in it's talon. The tsuba is carved from 25% shibiuchi. The falcon gives the piece a real power statement. The idea being that the warriors strength protects the peace we all desire.
The blade is forged from W-2 and 5160, with 1500 layers. It measures 31" in length (nagasa) and has a gentle hamon that becomes more active as it nears the monouchi. Tachi are usually on the long side, but are not very heavy as they were designed to be wielded from horseback, often one handed. This piece is more accurately described as a Han-dachi, or hafl tachi, as it is worn like a tachi, but features katana type fittings on the tsuka. This blade is very nimble for it's length, and is easy to use one handed. I test cut with all my swords, and this one did well, although it was a different feel due to the different curveature at the tang of a tachi.
Leon and Hiorko Kapp gave it a good examination in Reno, with favorable review. They paid me a very high compliment that really fueled the fire to do more. Leon encouraged me to use hazuya and jizuya stones followed by nugui to bring the hamon out more without etching the blade. He also gave me a couple of pints to work on to improve the shape. I have spent a few hours on the blade with the stones, and it does look better. I will make sure to include a few pics of the finish. The Kapps were just wonderfull to talk with, and meeting and talking with them was a highlight of the show. Great people.
Hope you all enjoy, it was a ball to make.
This is the tachi I had at the Reno. It is by far my most ambitous pice to date, and was a lot of fun to make. The theme os the fittings is more to envoke a feeling than it is to convey a meaning. The fuchi/kashira, saya-gane, kojiri, and koiguchi are all made of shakudo with 22k gold and silver leaves overlaid on them. They are also carved with leaves. The saya has two pearl leaves inlaid on it and shot with blue candy clear coat to give the idea thay are underwater. The idea of the dark, rich colors are to give a feeling of tranquility and peace. The tsuka is wrapped in jabara-ito, which is 8 strings of 1mm silk. It took four times as long to wrap this handle as it usually does with normal silk ito. It is done it white, to further convey a feeling of elegance and dignity. The menuki are 22k gold leaves. Finally, the tsuba is a strongly carved falcon ( Translates to Hayabusa) with a shakudo branch with gold and silver leaves in it's talon. The tsuba is carved from 25% shibiuchi. The falcon gives the piece a real power statement. The idea being that the warriors strength protects the peace we all desire.
The blade is forged from W-2 and 5160, with 1500 layers. It measures 31" in length (nagasa) and has a gentle hamon that becomes more active as it nears the monouchi. Tachi are usually on the long side, but are not very heavy as they were designed to be wielded from horseback, often one handed. This piece is more accurately described as a Han-dachi, or hafl tachi, as it is worn like a tachi, but features katana type fittings on the tsuka. This blade is very nimble for it's length, and is easy to use one handed. I test cut with all my swords, and this one did well, although it was a different feel due to the different curveature at the tang of a tachi.
Leon and Hiorko Kapp gave it a good examination in Reno, with favorable review. They paid me a very high compliment that really fueled the fire to do more. Leon encouraged me to use hazuya and jizuya stones followed by nugui to bring the hamon out more without etching the blade. He also gave me a couple of pints to work on to improve the shape. I have spent a few hours on the blade with the stones, and it does look better. I will make sure to include a few pics of the finish. The Kapps were just wonderfull to talk with, and meeting and talking with them was a highlight of the show. Great people.
Hope you all enjoy, it was a ball to make.
