Japanese Tacticals (split from Hartsfield Thread)

L

Lewis

Joined
Oct 9, 1998
Messages
368
As Japanese styled tacticals are my absolute favorite types of knife, I wanted to start a new thread about what people like/dislike about this type of blade, who their favorite makers are and who some up an coming makers are.

RJ Martin: www.martinsite.com Without a doubt, RJ Martin is, IMHO, the very top of the line for Japanese influenced knives that are meant to be used (not art.) His knives are finished cleaner and nicer than some knives that are 2x the price and he is a very gracious person to deal with. I think when you pick up one his knves, you feel right away that you have a tough yet beautiful weapon in your hand. I do believe that they are intended as weapons that can also be used for daily cutting tasks. His chisel grind is one of few that can be used without the inherent problems of chisel grinds.

Gary Bradburn: Gary doesn't have website yet, but I bought a mini tanto from him of the auctions here. He works mostly in M2, D2 and 5160. His knives are not as nicely finished as RJ's, he uses a paracord wrap over a black textured rubber (similar to non skid.) The rubber actually looks a little like Same until you look close. Gary finishes his knives to a 400 grit finish that is easy to take care of and easy to fix if you scratch it. His knives are very sharp! You can choose from a true chisel grind or a grind with a secondary bevel or a double flat grind. Gary is pretty new to kydex, but is improving with every sheath. He does his own heat treating, and both the knives I have from him have held up really well. Now you may be thinking that the cord wrap and rubber has no place on a custom tanto, but get this $55 to $75 for a kozuka and $100-150 for a 5" tanto, depending on the grind you chose. Great stuff for the price Gary can be reached at Steeldust5@aol.com.

Other makers that look really good in pictures, but I haven't seen in person yet are:
Don Polzien
Don Fogg
Steve Corkum

Makers that I have no interest in:
JSP
Hartsfield

If you have a maker who is not well known, but doing great knives of this Genre, let me know because I'm always looking.
 
Lewis,im glad you posted this as I have recently developed a fetish for japanese influenced knives.I often find myself at martins website drooling over rj's work.I see a fullblown addiction in the works.I've been carrying a livesay UJI.While not a true japanese tanto,it is still very cool.It has grooved micarta handles and the best kydex I've seen.Also the whole setup was $50.Not the most traditional style but you might want to check it out anyway.
troy
 
I don't know his work, but I read somewhere about Michael Bell...

I got the chance to meet Steve Corkum, and handle some of his blades. Cool, heavy duty, and beautiful!

Hey, why no interest in JSP blades? They seem pretty sweet to me...
 
If it doesn't have to be cord wrapped try looking at Kurt Meerdink. His Phase III blades may fit your bill and he's in a reasonable price range most are sub $200

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~ JerryO ~
 
I like Japanese style knives also, but the lack of contours in the handle make them a little retro, a little old fashioned, to me. I do love the style though.

Has anybody heard from RJ Martin about how he achieves his temper line on the A-2 knives? I know Mr. Martin's finish work is first class, but I always figured anybody could grind a Kozuka, but that differential temper is another issue. Just harden and draw the spine with a torch?

The other question I have is, I hear that the Japanese knives have no secondary edge bevels, and yet the finish on the primary bevel of RJ Martin knives is very nice. How do you sharpen them without screwing up the finish on the primary bevel, or can you?

Thanks to anyone who has one and can answer my questions.
 
Michael Bell's website is www.harborside.com/home/b/bell he is truly an artist. I have seen a couple of his swords, but not knives. His prices are out of my range unless I decided to only buy one knife a year. This doesn't mean they are too high, just too high for me. If you can afford it, Mr. Bell's work is some of the nicest traditional Japanese work in existence.

After seeing some JSP knives in person, I think they should cost about $250, not starting at $400. The rigger coat looks like melted rubber coated over the handle. it may work, but it is not for me.

I do not know how RJ makes the temper line, but it is certainly beautiful. If I was going resharpen one of RJ's knives, I would send it back to him as he could certainly do it better than anyone else, without making a mess of it. When trading for his knives with other members here, I will not take a knife that has been sharpened by anyone else.

Thanks for responding to my thread folks.

 
LEWIS..Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I am a slow starter, but I'm "paddlin' like hell tryin' to catch up".
I have to agree with you about RJ Martin and Michael Bell. They are the very best of the best in this country at what they do. As far as internationally rated makers go I think I might have to put Yoshindo Yoshihara a little higher on the scale for strictly traditional Japanese swordsmithing. Last I heard he was about to be proclaimed a "Living National Treasure" in Japan. That, of course is not an effort to minimize Mr Bells work. It's kind of like comparing Beethoven to Mozart. Seeing their work makes me feel a little foolish when contemplating building a Wakasashi (sp) for you. But then if I don't try I won't ever get anything done.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Gary Bradburn
 
Jerry Brumagen and David Fannin are really nice guys, and do great work. They get a hard time from the "tradition purists" but the outcome is fantastic. BTW Lewis, they are from our neck of the woods. One of them lives in Winchester and the other in Lexington. I can't remember for sure but I think it is Jerry who lives in Winchester. I really enjoyed chatting with them in Atlanta.
Paul
 
Hello Lewis and others,

I am pleased to see several of you mention Steve Corkum. I believe is his an up-and-comming japanese style knifemaker. He is the only knifemaker that I know of who uses the traditional japanese clay temper line on his tactical models. As MrG mentioned, they are heavy duty knives tested for performance. My favorite models of his have stingray wrapped handles and a turks head knot. I believe he has an article coming out on his knives in the next couple of months -so keep your eyes out. Without sounding too much like a sales pitch I believe his knives are an excellent value.

Also R.J. Martins knives are first class. I love his grinds and his rare earth magnet-holding sheaths are extremely secure.

p.s. -Troy, I love your handle "Ben E Hana" it really made me laugh.

Also, I have seen Wayne Watanbe's knives in the Knives annual but never in person. Any report on his work?

thanks,
Larry


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Larry,
I emailed you a few days ago about the 2 Steve Corkum knives on your website. Did you get the email? I am very interested in one or both of those knives.
Thanks,
Lewis
 
My 0.2 cents:

I have fondled, but have yet to own a Martin knife. I think R.J.'s stuff is first class & quite affordable. I do however own some JSP customs & I really LUV em!!! It's true that Mr. Piorek's stuff is costly, but the quality, craftsmanship & versatility are there & to me that is what counts. I have NEVER wanted a Hartsfield! I saw one of his Katana's at the blade show earlier this year & the $6,700.00 price tag made me laugh myself silly!!!


Anyway, it looks like I will have to get a nice leftie ground Martin soon...
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Attila

[This message has been edited by Attila (edited 18 October 1999).]
 
Have had many Hartsfields and in my opinion they are quite the cutting machines. Currently have an amazing Yoshindo Yoshihara double edged, double hamon piece with Shira Saya mounts, never will cut with it but what a marvelous piece!!! Pioreks stuff is nice and well worth the price, Michael Bells stuff is nice as is Francis Boyds (from the San Francisco area).
Incidentally the Yoshindo is for sale or trade if anyone is interested contact me at http://www.mastersmith.com
Dave Ellis, ABS,M.S.

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I posted over in the Hartsfield knives post what would belong in here as well.
-Bart
 
As far as JSP goes half of what you buy is the carry system which I personally rate as the best and most versital. I feel the price is quite fair but then I carry these knives daily. Also many of us when we say Japanese tacticals really are refering to the Americanized tanto not the traditional style. I will be getting a Don Polzien knife soon and can compare it to my JSP (which has a nice wrapped handle not the ugly but useful rigger coat). Also consider David Goldberg I have a Zanto from him and it is gorgeous and wicked, I would just like to improve the sheath somewhat though I think most people would be very happy with it.
 
Don Foggs stuff is great, and very affordable. I bought a traditional (non "armor piercing") double ground 7" tanto from him for $275. It has the nicest ovrerall blade shape ive seen in any piece in this size range. Excellent grind lines, cool temper line, and wicked sharp. It is a very heavy duty knife meant for hard use, the handle is cord/cord wrap and done very nicely, although i prefer the sami/cord of RJ Martins instead of the cord/cord.

This knife handles as good as any knife i own or have ever played with. It is as sharp as my Fisk, Crowell, Martin, and almost as sharp as my Tim Zowada knife (Tims knife has an extremely thin edge profile).

Any how, if i had to pick 2 affordable japanese knives there would be no question it would be a Fogg or Martin. All others pale dimly in comparison if one considers quality for the dollar.

No pen arguments please, these are just facts how i see them and you dont have to agree ;-)

Matt.
 
Matt,
If you see Jerry Fisk at the Hammer-In ask him about the new "water" steel he is working with that is very similar to the traditional Japanese river-bottom steel. He indicated when I talked to him this morning that he will be producing blades from this in the traditional Japanese manner with clay tempering. He's making me a stag-handled 9" Camp Knife with this steel to go with the Sendero Hunter I recently purchased. I'm going to have to wait 3 years but it will definately be worth the wait. Michael Bell is also working with this steel with great sucess. You probably know more about it than I do but just thought I'd mention it. I also like Fogg's, Crowell's & Martins work - just haven't had an opportunity to get any yet.

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Bill
 
Larry, Wayne Watanabe does very clean work. He uses ATS-34, 440C, and A2 (perhaps others as well) His prices are very reasonable. The knives have a better then average satin finish and generally feel light and balanced. His ('97) brochure has 17 different patterns, all Japanese styled and available with double or chisel grinds. I'm surprised that he isn't as well known as his work seems to warrent. He number is (213) 728-6867.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 22 October 1999).]
 
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