- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Messages
- 414
Amazing piece Stuart!
I love it.
I love it.
-
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Katana
- Thread starter SBranson
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2009
- Messages
- 1,564
Spectacular work as always Stuart. Don't ever stop pushing.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2006
- Messages
- 3,158
Stuart, that is simply awesome work! As a fan of katana myself, I was stunned by your work! And the fact that you were after hada in your blade......awesome! Great job!
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 2,912
Thanks again.
I found these pics from back when I was forging it and thought they might be of interest.
And these... sorry to the squeamish... are of the hazards of knifemaking. I usually nick myself on every knife I make but it's usually very minor.
This time I mentally lost track of the tip and buried it into my arm while polishing the mune.
First one is fresh, the second a couple days later.
I found these pics from back when I was forging it and thought they might be of interest.
And these... sorry to the squeamish... are of the hazards of knifemaking. I usually nick myself on every knife I make but it's usually very minor.
This time I mentally lost track of the tip and buried it into my arm while polishing the mune.
First one is fresh, the second a couple days later.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Messages
- 404
Thanks for the additional pics Stuart. That the entire package comes out as well as it does is awe inspiring. But the thought of forging and finishing a blade of this size makes my teeth hurt. Apparently the act of doing so isn't without its share of discomfort either. 
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,972
Wonderful piece, Stuart! Always a pleasure to see your work. :thumbup:
- Joe
- Joe
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
That's Very Nice, Stuart!
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
I like it very much.
Stuart has a sharp mind, the willingness to work extremely hard and pays attention to the details in a way that produces work far beyond what many ever become able to do. It's admirable and inspirational.
There are many, many people, makers and collectors who are not really able to see what is going on with this piece....but shibumi comes to mind as I look at it.
The tsuba is friggin' PERFECT for this piece, imo.
The hada and hamon have an elegant appearance.
For me alone I think had this been an order, the reeding around the koiguchi/kurikata would have been laquered black, but it looks bold as is, and proper for what the maker wanted to do.
The tsuka maki is very nice looking, tight and clean diamonds....that is a beyotch, it kills the hands, really abrades and creates blisters/callus.
Well done.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Stuart has a sharp mind, the willingness to work extremely hard and pays attention to the details in a way that produces work far beyond what many ever become able to do. It's admirable and inspirational.
There are many, many people, makers and collectors who are not really able to see what is going on with this piece....but shibumi comes to mind as I look at it.
The tsuba is friggin' PERFECT for this piece, imo.
The hada and hamon have an elegant appearance.
For me alone I think had this been an order, the reeding around the koiguchi/kurikata would have been laquered black, but it looks bold as is, and proper for what the maker wanted to do.
The tsuka maki is very nice looking, tight and clean diamonds....that is a beyotch, it kills the hands, really abrades and creates blisters/callus.
Well done.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 2,912
Thank you STeven. I appreciate the point by point critique. From the colouring in the tsuba I almost went with black same, brown silk ito, black caning and brown lacquer. The only reason I didn't is that the fuchi/kashira would have needed to have been patina'ed copper or had a warmer tone with gold highlights as in the tsuba. What do you think?
Doing this two tone was as much an experiment in technique as aesthetic choice but given the tsuba choice, I thought against an all black saya.
As it is, I had to do the tsukamaki twice. Ouch.. But I used a new item, matsuyani, or pine resin. It's rubbed on the inside of the ito and helps it hold it's form once set.
This is a close up of the tsuba. It's a truly elegant piece with great balance and beautiful highlights, imo.
Doing this two tone was as much an experiment in technique as aesthetic choice but given the tsuba choice, I thought against an all black saya.
As it is, I had to do the tsukamaki twice. Ouch.. But I used a new item, matsuyani, or pine resin. It's rubbed on the inside of the ito and helps it hold it's form once set.
This is a close up of the tsuba. It's a truly elegant piece with great balance and beautiful highlights, imo.
Last edited:
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Hi Stuart,
Maybe dark brown reeding would have worked well without any other color changes necessary.....in any case, it should be up to the maker willing to take the task on to decide how the sword is initially presented....a maker equipped with the knowledge to make an intelligent decision that is.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Maybe dark brown reeding would have worked well without any other color changes necessary.....in any case, it should be up to the maker willing to take the task on to decide how the sword is initially presented....a maker equipped with the knowledge to make an intelligent decision that is.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 627
Very, very nice. Love how the hamon turned out with the different mix of steels. Inspiring.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2007
- Messages
- 549
Subscribed in the hope you'll post more photos.
That looks amazing! Great work there, I can't begin to imagine the hours that went into every part of that.
Of course steel isn't done until it's been quenched in blood. I got bit by my Southard this morning, so I know (a little) of such things. Can't type properly with one out-of-action fingertip.
That looks amazing! Great work there, I can't begin to imagine the hours that went into every part of that.
Of course steel isn't done until it's been quenched in blood. I got bit by my Southard this morning, so I know (a little) of such things. Can't type properly with one out-of-action fingertip.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Messages
- 404
Stuart -- that tsuba is the picture of restrained elegance. Texture, color, the use of space, really good choice for this sword.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2006
- Messages
- 2,036
Very nicely done. STeven said it better than I could, so I won't try to elaborate there.
It definitely shows--please continue to do so!
I'm also forced to admit more-than-passing interest in the bow. I'd love to learn more about what you're doing there (that discussion need not be in this thread).
SBranson said:
It definitely shows--please continue to do so!
I'm also forced to admit more-than-passing interest in the bow. I'd love to learn more about what you're doing there (that discussion need not be in this thread).
