Japanese Inspired Utility

[LongRifle]

Here's a VERY simple little utility knife I just finished up. The blade is 4" forged 5160, stainless guard and pin, claro walnut handle, OAL is around 7 3/4".

I really love Japanese swords and tantos. I tried to style this knife after a tanto in shirasaya mountings (I think that is the right term .

The blade is polished, and very difficult to photograph...the temper line is much more pronounced in person. I chose this piece of walnut becuase I think the grain echoes the temper line, hopefully I can get a photo up that shows it.

My favorite makers are Hudson, Primos, and Bradshaw. There's some influence from all three in the knife.

Matt

~I've got a big bowie I am finishing up now, I'll get some pics up soon.

 

[LongRifle]

Here's a shot of the temper line...

 

[LongRifle]

Here's a shot of the grain.

 

[LongRifle]

Here's a another shot of the temper line...

 

[Burchtree]

That's a beautiful knife -- I like it a lot!

 

[Robert Hankins]

Nice temper line for 5160!

 

[LongRifle]

Thanks guys! Is the photo showing up for you? Or do you have to click the file link?

 

[Wulf]

Awesome work, Matt. Very elegant.

What did you do to polish the blade?

 

[LongRifle]

Wolf thanks for the compliments, I sanded through 1500, then moved onto polishing paste. I used vinegar to bring out the temper line, then polished, then etched, then polished... . I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

[Jason Cutter]

Nice knife, especially like the bold temperline on the blade. I prefer a more rounded handle contour (though not as rounded as some of the offerings out there, which give no twisting torque control) but thats a personal preference. Looking forward to seeing more from your bench. Jason.

 

[RogerP]

Very nice job Matt. This knife is very clean and crisp. Like Jason, I tend to prefer a more rounded handle, but I have to say I like the look of the somewhat angular lines of the handle on this particular knife. Good choice of wood as well. That hamon rocks. Overall an attractive and very useful-looking design.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Ivan Campos]

Great temper line in a very clean utilitarisan design.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Outstanding. Simple in design, but beautifully executed.

 

[LongRifle]

Thanks for the compliments. I forgot to mention this knife is the thinnest I have ever made, it is a little under 1/8" with pretty good taper. I think I am going to make a few more of these, they fit pretty well in my pocket.

 

[Coonskinner]

That is one sweet little blade. It looks like it would be an awesome cutter.

 

[Roadrunner]

It all looks great from here, especially that hamon! I don't know why, but a good hamon just adds a special something to the appearance of almost any knife.