Help finding the right Custom (Japanese-style tanto)

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
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a while ago I had the pleasure of seeing an 800 year old Katana at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Anyhoo, I've recently come into a little bit of money, and I've decided that I want to get a small custom tanto for me to enjoy. I don't want an american-style tanto, however because I want one that's closer to the real Japanese tradition. With that in mind, who are the groovy custom makers who are producing small (anywhere from 2-5" blade) Japanese-style tanto. The use for this would be primarily my own enjoyment as I'm not allowed to carry a fixed blade where I live. I would probably use it for opening the mail, and perhaps the occasional display. I want it to be functional, though, and as close to the real deal as possible.

So, to recap (for those who hate long posts):
Custom Japanese-style Tanto
2-5" blade, material isn't much concern, however I'd like it to be a good, functional steel.
As close to the real deal as possible.

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely-
Anthony
 
What about Bob Lum being the spyderjon maybe you already knew that though because of his collaberation pieces.:D
 
I know about the Bob Lum collaborations, but I'm wanting something with the traditional wrap (cotton or linen wrapping over ray skin). I like the Bob Lum, but I would like something in the "real" custom realm. Thanks for the suggestion, his fixed blade IS an awesome knife! Gotta dig those Spydercos! Thanks for the suggestion though, and please keep them coming!!:D
 
Scott Slobodian or Don Fogg would be at the top of my list for a very traditional small Japanese blade. Their work is tops, and so are their prices!

It depends a lot on exactly what you want. For real traditional Japanese, look up Slobodian or Fogg. If you want Japanese style (the wrap, the grind, but different materials and such) then the options you have go up. Guys liek Wally Hayes also come to mind.

Good luck!
 
Hi,
Give a look.
His knives are an exceptional value and his Asian style knives have the look you are after. I own a model like this one and I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Great knife.
Regards,
Greg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I looked through the suggestions, and I found a lot to think about. I was intruiged especially by the work of Steve Corkum, Scott Slobodian, and RW Clark. I really liked all that I saw, and have even sent out a few emails to get pricing!

Does anyone have any good/could've been better experiences with either RW Clark or Steve Corkum?

BTW, I have to say thank you to Ripper for the link. I really liked the temper line on that piece. I'm really wanting something that is done in a traditional fashion, and both Steve and RW seem to be the ones doing it that way.

Thanks to all who wrote to share their opinions, you all certainly have some serious taste :D !!!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Hi,

I've done 2 years of batto-jutsu and I collect both antique Nihonto and modern, custom made hand-forged blades. I'm not a pro, or even a very good martial artist, but I've done a lot of homework in that field.

If you want something traditional looking, here are a few good names:

- Don Fogg (currently has a much underpriced, fully mounted Kat' on his site: http://www.dfoggknives.com/Katana.htm)

- Howard Clark: Howard is an ABS MS, a heat treating & metallurgy guru, and is the purveyor of custom blades for Bugei, the main Jpz swordsmanship equipment store (http://www.mvforge.com). For fully polished stuff from Howard, you should check Keith Larman's page here: http://www.summerchild.com/forsale.html.

- Louis Mills: Louis was the partner in crime of Jim Kelso when they were producing museum quality Jpz style blades. John De Mesa has a fully mounted and polished available blade here: http://johndswordpolishing.com/available/. It's a steal.

- Michael Bell: http://www.dragonflyforge.com/tanto.html

- Joe Walters: Not quite as established a maker, but top quality stuff nonetheless: http://www.moonlitforge.com/portfolio.html

- Rick Barrett: Again, not as established as Don, Howard, and Louis, but top quality stuff. http://www.barrettcustomknives.com/gallery.htm

- Patrick Hasting: As above, a fairly young but hugely talented maker: http://www.bladefittings.com/Galleries/Blades & Projects/Blades_and_Projects_Home.htm (check the cherry blossom tanto...)

All those are bladesmiths. Don Polzien and Scott Slobodian are stock removal guys. They do top quality work, museum quality for Scott, but I'm just less interested in stock removal. They also use 1050, I think, which is a softer steel that 1084.

There are other great makers out there, but those you should definitely check. There are also a lot of makers doing work close to the tactical end of the spectrum (Wally Hayes comes to mind as someone warmly recommended by some ABS Mastermiths...) Nothing wrong with that, it's just not my cup of tea.

Phil Hartsfield is hugely popular among some martial artists. I'm pretty certain is stuff is well balanced and cuts well. I also think the so called finish on his blades is a bad joke, and that his work is hugely overpriced, basically riding a speculative bubble. I have seen one of his swords come up on eBay regularly, and not selling, at a portion of the normal price... Objectively, his stuff is absolutely not traditional- nothing wrong with that, just be careful about what YOU want.

In the more traditional world (the makers I listed), you'll find it hard to get a blade fully mounted. Typically, there are 3 stages for a Jpz style blade. First, it is forged, second, it is polished, third, it is mounted. Very often, it is not fully mounted, but fitted in a resting scabbard called a shirasaya (check Y. Yoshihara's blades on Nordic Knives for an example.) Each of those stages takes time and costs money. Finding an already polished and mounted blade, even in a shirasaya, is typically quite a piece of luck.

I can't emphasize enough how much of a steal the mounted Don Fogg kat' is....

Cheers,

JD.
 
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