Katana in a Tux

Bailey Bradshaw

Bailey Bradshaw

Joined
Sep 13, 2001
Messages
816
I have been concentrating some effort into building Japanese style swords. They are what I set out to make when I got into knifemaking, so needless to say, they bring me a great deal of satisfaction. Here is one I finished yesterday.

The blade is forged 1075, clay heat treated of course, and 30" blade length. The hamon widens to what is called hitatsura the last foot or so of the tip. It mean "all over hardening", where the hamon kind of goes free style and covers most of the blade. I did this to make the blade a little stiffer at the monouchi or "striking area". The blade also has bohi, or groves on both sides. It cuts like a deamon, and makes a nice deep "whoosh" when you make a cut.

Anyway, the fittings are stainless damascus and sterling silver. Leather handle wrap over stingray with stainless damascus menuki I carved in the form of "ken" or ceremonial swords.

The saya is made of poplar, with black laquer covered by about 10 coats of clear. The kurikata is ivory, and the open end of the saya is wraped with stingray, laquered and sanded to reveal the nodes, and covered with clear coat. The stainless damascus is raindrop pattern, so it matches the dots from the stingray.
 
that's a very nice looking piece - certainly got my attention! how many have you done? looks like you've got a few under the belt already to come up with one as clean as this.

sounds like you're doing all your own polishing too? i'm impressed. can i ask if this piece is for sale?
 
hi, Bail...really nice! i got one of your katanas and i love it. is this one spoken for?

i pm'd you btw regarding other project.

that's really wonderful. email me please.
 
That is a very nice looking katana. The high shinogi should definitely make it a wicked cutter. Quite elegant in form, and the choice in fittings is very unique. The hi look very well done as well.

Do you have a close up of the tsuba and habaki?

Anyway, it is a very impressive piece. Very few American smiths seem to have tried the hitatsura hamon (I like it), and you are to be commended.

That would look great on my sword stand next to the katana and tanto I have from Michael Bell.

Lou Tirona
 
What do I think? I think you are a very bad man for posting this just before Blade. :)

Good to see you back Bailey. You can call me any time you know and we don't even have to talk about knives, well, maybe a little. :)

I'm still loving the Waki. :)

Folks, Bailey's Japanese swords are THE best value going in customs.
 
Maybe I can do that when I grow up as of now I wouldn't know where to start. Its all I can do to make a bowie.Awsome piece of work.
Reggie
 
Fantastic, Bailey. Your katanas always look great, and this one is certainly no exception. By the way, do you make traditional tantos as well?
 
I think...I'm in love :eek:

By the way Ari, isn't that Mr. Mayo in your signature testing out a katana? :D
 
I've been meaning to ask this question for a while: What is that little pin sticking out in the handle? I always see them on real Katanas.
 
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