Katana vs tanto blade geometry

cbr900son

cbr900son

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Mar 3, 2011
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I found alot of info while doing some research on the blade geometry of the katana and different styles but cant find anything on the tanto. From what im understanding it looks to be more of a convex grind but is the spine like a katanas or is it a flat spine? Also is it correct for a tanto to have sori or no sori at all?
 
There are several blade geometries even for a katana. I believe the blade geometries are similar for a katana, waki, and tanto. There may be some differences due to the blade length but for the most part I believe they are similar.
 
Yeah. Ive seen diagrams for the katana but none for the tanto. been studying pics but cant find any info on the tanto spine area : /
 
The most common geometry for Tanto has hira zukuri.
Thickness starts at around 3mm-4mm.
Traditional Hira zukuri has a very convexed edge with a lot of Niku (meat). A flat back was actually not common at all, and has only been found on ancient blades (we're talking very very old). More then likely Iori-mune, and Mitsu mune would have been the most common mune (spines). Iori mune is a triangle shape and would have likely been the most common while Mitsu mune has three surfaces, two of them are angled to join but then the 3rd surface stops it kind of like a flat peaked mountain and would have been one of the least common types of mune.

Not all geometries were present in tanto, I have my book here with me. (same one linked by Hesparus).
Kissaki-Moroha-zukuri for example, I don't believe an example exists or existed in tanto form. Or at least I dont think it was documented.

There's maybe one geometry that was not present in katana, that's Osoraku-zukuri. Only seen in Tanto and wakizashi.
 
Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!! So from what im gathering the spine should be \/ or possibly \_/. Heh so much to learn but its about the journey not the destination! I dont know why this fascinates me so much but it does. Looks like I got a book ro two to order and rad also.
 
Last edited:
cbr900son said:
Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!! So from what im gathering the spine should be \/ or possibly \_/. Heh so much to learn but its about the journey not the destination! I dont know why this fascinates me so much but it does.
Click to expand...

That is correct. There are also rounded spines (think Chris Reeve Sebenza spine) though they were quite rare and very particular to one or two schools.

I had a Japanese Terminology guide including pictures of many components of the katana, however I recently took it down (yesterday) as I did not agree with the overly pansy Moderators/policies. It's was very much a "you leave me alone, I leave you alone" attitude, a stagnant pool of ignorance is what I call it. 99% of the them people STILL dont know what a real edge is. It's hilarious. Maybe I will post that guide here.
 
Feel free to email it to me. Ive been able to find info online but its mroe of bits and pieces here and there. Really trying to find one source of info to guide me thru some learning and making vs 100 sources peiced together.
 
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