My first damascus Tanto

GARY B

GARY B

Joined
Apr 17, 1999
Messages
170
I just finished this one for a new customer. Hopefully he will be a long time customer. He wanted a damascus tanto and after much discussion we came up with this. 10" long overall in 5/32" Damasteel 20 turn twist pattern. This is the first time I have used Damasteel and I am here to tell ya it is great stuff. I love it and wish I could afford to do a lot more work with it.

<img src=http://members.aol.com/steeldust5/damasteel.jpg>

It finishes up great, feels good and takes a really nice edge. What do ya think of a Japanese style in stainless damascus?
 
Thats a very nice looking tanto,Gary.I`d be willing to bet the future owner is going insane being able to see his knife on the net!
 
I'm going absolutely insane waiting for this knife to arrive at my home. I think that I probably aged Gary a couple of years while we were trying to figure out exactly what I wanted out of this knife. Hey, I only changed my mind a few times. Gary has been a wonderful knife-maker to deal with. He is very professional and is willing to go the distance for his customers. I'm quite pleased with the appearance of the knife in the pictures. I'm sure that the knife is going to be much better once I have it in my hands.
If you are considering a Japanese style custom give Gary Bradburn a chance. This knife should be the first of several that I hope to order from Gary in the next few years. This is my first damascus custom and it appears that Gary has made exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks again Gary! I'll leave an update once the knife arrives.

Graceville, FL

I think that a damascus katana will be my next project for Gary!!
 
Beautiful knife. I love the red ray skin and the more traditional blade style. That Damasteel looks great as well. Could use a menuki, but even so it is very well done.
 
Thanks for the compliments guys. I appreciate it.

David, what in the world are you doing on the computer? I hope your brand new wife is really understanding about knife nuts. LOL. I'm thinking Damasteel neck knives or key chain knives would be fun to.

Take care all,
 
Well, my brand new wife is decorating the beds with two new quilts that we picked up on our honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains. Can you believe that I purchased two quilts and didn't buy anything at the Smoky Mountain Knife Works? What's wrong with me?
OOPS! I take that back. I bought a zippered knife case for $3.98 at the Smoky Mountain Knife Works for my Cold Steel Imperial Damascus Tanto that I traded everything but my life for a few years back.
I see that Keith is already complaining that I didn't order the knife with a menuki. I don't know. I have never really cared for the menuki, especially the additional cost. If I had to admit it I think that some menuki look really good on the cord wrapped handles. I just don't know exactly what is available out there when it comes to types or designs of menuki.
 
Thats a great looking knife. Is it a full tang, if so is it all in damasteel or is the handle welded on.
Regards
Pinpoint
 
Hi Gary,

It's real nice. You're moving very fast!! Yep, it would be nice to have a NK1 in damasteel. I guess from now on your waiting list will be longer...much longer.

Take care,
Pracha

*Have you tried copper habaki? Guess they will implement each other quite nicely.
 
Hi Gary,

that looks great, would also be great as a NKT.

I wanted to second that Gary is a nice gentlemen to buy a knife (or 2, or...) from.
When i ordered my NK1 with stag handle + the NKT it only needed a few emails around the world and a short waiting time, than i got exactly what i ordered.

Gary have you seen your knives at my HP?
http://www.bigboresmesserseite.de/custom.htm
 
Gary, don't you go stealing my thunder on damascus key chain/neckers. I already have a bunch in production so I could most likely beat you to market anyhow:D.
 
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! It finally arrived. I gotta tell you this is one tanto that I am happy I ordered. (Sure, sure you say. You're thinking, "this guy will be selling it in the forums next week"). Not this one. It's a definite keeper.
I had wanted a darker burgundy or maroon colored ray skin and that is exactly what it is. The gallery pictures make it out to be red but it's darker. Very nice.
Also, take my word for it. Gary can make this thing in a super cool neck knife with about a 2 1/2" blade and ray skin, cord wrapped handle.
I'm already planning my next order. If your in the market for a tanto or for some of you guys "another" tanto. Give Gary Bradburn a shot. His custom tanto blades are really great. I waited for over a year before placing an order with Gary. Now, I wish that I would have placed my order sooner.
 
:o ...Blush...

Thanks David. I am glad you like it. We will do some more in the future.

I am working on building a real traditional piece with folded steel, removable handle and wooden saya. But I am finding that habaki and hand carved saya are not near as simple as they look. What's life without a challenge? Thanks again ,
 
I just realized that I got caught up in some family problems and didn't get back to answer some questions. Sorry about that guys.

Pinpoint: Yes sir, it is full tang and it is all damasteel.I suppose I could have welded a tang on and saved a couple bucks, but I just can't bring myself to do that. I like knowing that the integrity of the piece is intact when I'm done.



TRUCKER : Hi Pracha, how goes it? Hmmm. Damasteel NK! sounds good. I have re-designed the NK1 with narrower blade, top swedge and two choices of handle shapes. (Whole different knife?) I'll email you a pic of one with micarta scales and see what you think.

Bigbore 45.: Hi Alex. Same as above in reply to Trucker. Yes I did see your pics. MAN! I need you to do all my photography. Those really rock. Thanks

R.W.: I don't think you have anything to worry about from me;)
I'll be the rest of my life catching up to the quality of your work Come teach me to hollow grind.


I think that caught me up. Thanks again fella's.
 
I still think Gary should try a katana or at least a wakizashi. This could be a whole new area of exploration.
 
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