I Finally Received My Rob Criswell Katana Today!

Bimmer1 · Dec 15, 2000

After being on the waiting list at www.knifemart.com I finally received my Criswell Katana. It appears that Rob has made a few changes. We have a new tsuba and some handle changes. I know that among the traditional enthusiasts out here the Criswell is not a favorite, but it's my first katana purchase and I'm proud to own it. (It will bring out a little Highlander in all of us!) The quality seems outstanding for the price. Hopefully, my next purchase will be more appealing to the forum katana enthusiasts.

Robert Marotz · Dec 15, 2000

Yeah Criswell is making some changes, would you mind giving us an overview on the technical specs of the blade? If you can get pics that'd be nice.

We don't wanna always go by out-of-date information when it comes to makers...I heard that Mr. Criswell ditched the big loop at the pommel-end of the handle. If so, WOOHOO! I really hope he stays open enough to learn something once in a while and further improve himself and what he makes.

Specs would be appreciated.
Shinryû.

[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 12-15-2000).]

Bimmer1 · Dec 15, 2000

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Robert Marotz:
Yeah Criswell is making some changes, would you mind giving us an overview on the technical specs of the blade? If you can get pics that'd be nice.

We don't wanna always go by out-of-date information when it comes to makers...I heard that Mr. Criswell ditched the big loop at the pommel-end of the handle. If so, WOOHOO! I really hope he stays open enough to learn something once in a while and further improve himself and what he makes.

Specs would be appreciated.
Shinryû.

[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 12-15-2000).]</font>

You're correct. The loop on the pommel-end is gone. It has been replaced by a section of pinned knife handle material. I'm not sure about this but I think it is black, polished micarta. Basically, you have the same katana, but at the end of the para-cord wrapped handle you have the new pinned section that is approx. 2-2.5" in length. It seems that knifemart.com has posted some pictures of this at the end of their Criswell page. Maybe those pictures will give you an idea.

[This message has been edited by Bimmer1 (edited 12-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Bimmer1 (edited 12-15-2000).]

Stuart S. Igarta · Dec 15, 2000

Hey Bimmer1, didn't I tell you that you would like it.

<a href="http://www.knifemart.com">www.knifemart.com</a> does have a picture of Rob Criswell new design. <img src="http://www.knifemart.com/images/CRISWEL/CRISWEL8.jpg" alt="micarta slabs and stainless pins with tradtional cord wrap" WIDTH="431" HEIGHT="196">

Robert Marotz · Dec 15, 2000

At least it appears grippable for reasonably proper use. Handle looks WAYYYYYYYYY too long for me, but I bet it helps out a bit with offsetting the balance. I guess for a tac-sword at the price ya can't really go wrong...but with any luck his stuff will continue to improve.

Glad you are happy with your sword.
Shinryû.

Bimmer1 · Dec 15, 2000

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Stuart S. Igarta:
Hey Bimmer1, didn't I tell you that you would like it.

<a href="http://www.knifemart.com">www.knifemart.com</a> does have a picture of Rob Criswell new design. <img src="http://www.knifemart.com/images/CRISWEL/CRISWEL8.jpg" alt="micarta slabs and stainless pins with tradtional cord wrap" WIDTH="431" HEIGHT="196"></font>

"These are accurate pictures of the handle, but the tsuba is no longer the same. I spoke to Rob on the phone and he said that having thirty cut-outs in each tsuba was too time consuming. Now he uses the same size and basic shape tsuba, but it is solid. We no longer have the intricate cut-out pattern."