Japanese sword question

[jdm61]

Actually a couple of them. At what point blade length wise does an o-tanto(?) become a wakizashi? How long should the tang of either be? I am playing around and I am limited to about 21-22 inches in total length by my heat treat oven.

 

[69_knives]

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/measure.htm

Still trying to figure out some of the terminology myself.

o-tanto would just be a tanto with a slightly longer blade, still a weapon meant to be handled with a single handed grip.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I would consider any blade length less than one shaku ( approx.12 inches ) a tanto. O-tanto would be the longer end of that spectrum, so an edge length of 10-13" would be o-tanto. The nakago (tang) on a tanto is rather stubby compared to a wakizashi or katana. About 3-4" is normal, but slightly longer is not unheard of. Thus o-tanto could be up to about 18" OAL. A wakizashi is between one and two shaku, and the nakago ranges from about six inches to twelve inches, so a wakizashi could have an OAL from 18 to 36". A katana is any blade over two shaku and the nakago can range from 8" to 15".

So, you can do an o-tanto or a shoto-wakizashi in your oven.
Stacy