katana grind

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Yes I left about 0.035".
ShannonSteelLabs was talking about handle scales, so I took the "small integral guards" to mean that his profile flares out above and below the handle. I'm guessing that like me, he bought a 2"x36" piece of steel.
 
Here is a list of terms I have posted in the stickys. There is a lot of other Japanese blade info there, too.

Japanese Blade info:


These are some basic terms ( there are probably 100 more words, but these will cover most all major areas):

ha - the hardened edge of the blade
ji - the surface between the hamon and the shinogi
habuchi - the line between the hamon and the ji ( AKA nioi-guchi)
hamon - the line indicating the border of the hardened edge. This is a group of crystals ( nie and nioi) that form in the hardening process.
ashi - lines of nioi extending from the hamon toward the edge
nie - small visible martensite crystals. Often seen as bright specks and little "islands" just above the hamon.
nioi - minute/microscopic martensite crystals visible in a groug as a milky/wispy cloud.
shinogi - the ridge line of the blade
shinogi ji - the surface between the shinogi and the mune
mune - the spine of the blade

Blade parts ( very simplified):
Top/spine - mune
edge - ha
tip - kissaki
tang - nakago
handle - tsuka
guard - tsuba
Blade collar that guard rests on - habaki
shoulders habaki and tsuba rests on - machi
where the tip and edge meet - yokote
where the bevels meet - shinogi
curvature of blade - sori
fuller on blade - bohi
blade length - nagasa
sheath - saya
 
Richard338 said:
Please post some pics as it progresses.
I finished most of the pre-HT grind last night leaving some for post-HT (hopefully to help avoid warping).
As it gets closer to its final weight, I'm getting excited about cutting with it. (feels pretty light)
I also got some helpful advice from Matt Gregory about terotuf handle construction that I will cover with ray-skin and wrap.
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I will post pics tonight hopefully
 
I've got a few of those Wakis on the go... These do not have the shinogi thingie on them. Full convex to the relief grind on the spine. I put that on to allow it to slide in and out of the sheath better. I believe that is the purpose of the "mune" ridgeline on the spine, too. To reduce friction in the scabbard.

waki cross section.png IMG_9351.JPG
 
Rick, I didn't do any grinding on the spine yet. I see that you left a bit of flat on top which I guess is yet another option for me.
(yours looks like a boat-tail bullet...perhaps a .338)
 
Yes, lots of options for a functional sword. I would shy away from calling it a "Katana" or "Wakizashi" unless you adhere more to the traditional geometry. Out of respect for folks who put in the time of a traditional build, I call mine Japanese Inspired "wakis" or "tanas"... something to appease the purists. It is a true art form and I wouldn't want to muddy the waters.
 
Good points. (and I'm sure mine isn't in danger of being mistaken for a traditional build). I'll try to put a proper peak on it, but if it turns out uneven, I can always flatten it a bit.
 
Sounds good.

Just to be clear, I am in no way a purist on Japanese blades. Most of them I make are like Rick showed, wak-ish .... ashi. I usually refer to them as Modified Wakizashi, etc. I do like classic tanto.

I have often said there are no sword police who will punish you if you make a sword different. Make what you like and can do with your equipment.

I'll try and grab some blades from the work boxes this weekend and shoot a few photos. I have a tanto in Shinogi zukuri that is about half polished, and a bunch of hira zukuri wakish-ashi. I don't get much polishing done in the summer because it gets too hot out inthe shop for this old man. I have a diasho sitting in the house that needs final polish and fittings.
 
I'm happy to report that by my standards I nailed the "ioni" (or roof peak) along the spine.
Got it nice and even with a crisp center line and to a smooth 320 grit (the bevels are still at 80 grit until post HT).
I'll post a couple pics before I send it to Peters.

I also found a nice old Stuart Branson WIP thread that would have answered many of my questions if I saw it sooner:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-first-sword-o-wakizashi-wip.871406/
 
I remember Stu's thread.... thanks for digging it up. Such a talented and humble guy.
 
When I visited Stacey, he had Japaenesque blades everywhere. leaning in corners, in cases, under the couch. And he's not joking about the heat. I really wanted to fire up the forge, but just taking a tour of his smithy, I was soaked in sweat.
 
One Armed said:
LOL , yes I know. I was simply joking. It’s not my thing, although I may do a sword at some point. But I have no interest in learning and using the “correct” words. I like simple blade terminology. I just think some people take it WAY to far! To the point they even look down on others who DON’T use the Japanese terminology. CORRECTING someone over a word when you know exactly what they are talking about, is just...well, bad form!

The lavish folded steel blades forged by professional swordsmithe are beautiful. But if I wanted a sword, it would be done sane as the OP. A CPM3V sword made via stock removal will destroy any forged sword ever made. Period! I really don’t care about the “correct” word of a component.
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Even though I might not remember them I like hearing the varied names for everything. It's interesting to me how the Japanese do things like that. A name for everything, specific knives for everything. It's not your cup of tea. Fine.

I'm toning down my response to your post to Stacy. He puts a lot into this forum and has helped innumerable people over the years. Have you? He will send materials for free and at his cost to newbies to help them get started. He is part of the KITH things for this forum and helps foster a sense of community for people who might work in their shop mostly alone all day. Or none of their friends are into hobby knifemaking.

Nobody is perfect but for you to take a shit on someone who's passion is the main focus of this forum is crass. Maybe you are having an off day. I hope so.

Bad form indeed.
 
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Maelstrom78 said:
Even though I might not remember them I like hearing the varied names for everything. It's interesting to me how the Japanese do things like that. A name for everything, specific knives for everything. It's not your cup of tea. Fine.

I'm toning down my response to your post to Stacy. He puts a lot into this forum and has helped innumerable people over the years. Have you? He will send materials for free and at his cost to newbies to help them get started. He is part of the KITH things for this forum and helps foster a sense of community for people who might work in their shop mostly alone all day. Or none of their friends are into hobby knifemaking.

Nobody is perfect but for you to take a shit on someone who's passion is the main focus of this forum is crass. Maybe you are having an off day. I hope so.

Bad form indeed.
Click to expand...

Yawn.... Welcome to my ignored list. Do the same and you don’t need to worry about me playing in your sandbox along with YOUR people.

Tone that down! LOL! Later! Well, not really!
 
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