my first katana,1050 with hamen

[canbkr]

Well this is the first katana i've made,blade is 1050,diferential tempered.handle is
padauk wood with a traditional style wrap.Let me know what you think,case or sheath isn't quite done yet,I'm using padauk wood for that also with buffalo horn tip and cap

figure i'll ad a few pics

 

[canbkr]

 

[canbkr]

 

[canbkr]

 

[canbkr]

 

[wannabemarine]

wow im not very knowledgeable on swords but this is a realy fine piece, very clean looking, no tool marks or anything wlse that would denagrate this swords looks, great job! the handle is also very well done

 

[talonturbo]

I like it so much I sent you an email. Well done.

 

[Kohai999]

Well this is the first katana i've made,blade is 1050,diferential tempered.handle is
padauk wood with a traditional style wrap.Let me know what you think,case or sheath isn't quite done yet,I'm using padauk wood for that also with buffalo horn tip and cap

The blade shape looks nice.

There is nothing traditional about the handle. The cord wrapping is weak. Don't take that hard, it is a major PITA to wrap handles. If you can talk with Wally Hayes, he could probably offer some good advice. A traditional blade will use a same'(rayskin) over honoki(poplar/alder) wood with no cord wrap, or with a cord (ito) wrap, Usually silk, but can be suede or cotton.

I personally hate seeing Japanese style blades without a habaki(blade collar), It is the heart of the Japanese style blade.

One thing to keep in mind for the future is that the finishing of the Japanese styled blade is so crucial that most bladesmiths do not do their own polishing, sending it to specialized sword polishers(togi) for the work.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I don't like the ricasso with visible plunge areas. Traditional swords were ground all the way through the tang.

 

[canbkr]

For the compliments that were left, i do appreciatte them,Thanks .

 

[canbkr]

The blade shape looks nice.

There is nothing traditional about the handle. The cord wrapping is weak. Don't take that hard, it is a major PITA to wrap handles. If you can talk with Wally Hayes, he could probably offer some good advice. A traditional blade will use a same'(rayskin) over honoki(poplar/alder) wood with no cord wrap, or with a cord (ito) wrap, Usually silk, but can be suede or cotton.

I personally hate seeing Japanese style blades without a habaki(blade collar), It is the heart of the Japanese style blade.

One thing to keep in mind for the future is that the finishing of the Japanese styled blade is so crucial that most bladesmiths do not do their own polishing, sending it to specialized sword polishers(togi) for the work.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Thanks for the compliment on the blade shape,It's my first sword of this style so i figured i'd make my impression of a katana,I know i've got a ways to go before i get it perfected but i'm patient and will

 

[canbkr]

I don't like the ricasso with visible plunge areas. Traditional swords were ground all the way through the tang.

Just to let ya know,I never intended on making a "TRADITIONAL" sword,just made my impression of a katana type sword.thanks for the input,BTW checked out the knives on you site,nice work.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

These swords are very hard to do and I like what I see for a first attempt. Being that it is your impression of a Japanese sword, I'm not sure sure how to comment on how well you did.

The images aren't clear enough to make any real detail.

 

[tom mayo]

I don't like the ricasso with visible plunge areas. Traditional swords were ground all the way through the tang.

yeap, first thing I saw!

 

[Bailey Bradshaw]

For a first effort, you did good. There are a lot of things to refine, but if you got the blade straight with an even hamon, you are on the right track. I ruined the first seven blades I made at various stages, most didn't make it out of the quench. Yours has a nice curveature and is a pleasing shape. Elegance is hard to get sometimes, but you hit it pretty close.

Did you water quench it or oil?

I know it sounds like an adherance to staunch traditionalism, to HAVE to have a habaki and a more traditional style of mounting, but from my own efforts in making and testing my swords, and even more from training in Kenjutsu and other martial arts for 17 years, the construction method of a Japanese style sword is totaly utilitarian and purposefull. The handle construction of a medium density wood with same' wraped with ito is VERY strong, but also acts as a shock absorber in conjunction with the habaki. I would encourage you to keep making more, and explore some of the construction techniques.

 

[Kohai999]

The handle construction of a medium density wood with same' wraped with ito is VERY strong, but also acts as a shock absorber in conjunction with the habaki. I would encourage you to keep making more, and explore some of the construction techniques.

That was written with MUCH more constructive criticism than I seem to be able to come up with, Bailey, well said!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[canbkr]

For a first effort, you did good. There are a lot of things to refine, but if you got the blade straight with an even hamon, you are on the right track. I ruined the first seven blades I made at various stages, most didn't make it out of the quench. Yours has a nice curveature and is a pleasing shape. Elegance is hard to get sometimes, but you hit it pretty close.

Did you water quench it or oil?

I know it sounds like an adherance to staunch traditionalism, to HAVE to have a habaki and a more traditional style of mounting, but from my own efforts in making and testing my swords, and even more from training in Kenjutsu and other martial arts for 17 years, the construction method of a Japanese style sword is totaly utilitarian and purposefull. The handle construction of a medium density wood with same' wraped with ito is VERY strong, but also acts as a shock absorber in conjunction with the habaki. I would encourage you to keep making more, and explore some of the construction techniques.

Thanks I really appreciatte the compliment,the blade was quenched in oil,for this sword i partilally forged the curve into it,which i know also isn't traditional,but this sword was never intended to be traditional (with the reaction i got onthis piece so far i can't say that enough )I plan to keep making the swords and eventually i will get to the point where i do make a traditional katana,until that point comes around i'm enjoying making them irregardless of being traditional or not

 

[canbkr]

here's a piece i made that's closer to traditional (oops i used ats-34 )

and a view of it taken appart

 

[canbkr]

I like it so much I sent you an email. Well done.

Tried emailing you back and keep getting it returned

 

[G3]

Looks good Adrian. Nice job for the first attempt. Good luck.