Back in the 60's when I was much younger and had the energy to do stuff like this, I made this sword for an older friend. He collected Japanese swords and I had yet to have even one. I have since owned many and now have only one tanto but none that compare to this masterpiece.
You should have seen his face when I showed him this one. (wrapped in silk of course. He almost died THEN.
This then, is the sword I built for my late buddy.
As you can see, the blade is pristine. I think I used a chrome strip off a 66 Buick as other years lacked a decent blood groove.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat1.JPG
The tsuba was a very rare pattern derived from the "creamy" style of peanut butter and not the common crunchy style.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat2.JPG
The menuki was an actual menu-KEY. I think it came from a door lock.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat3.JPG
The handle, wrapped in traditional "maskee" tape was wound around genuine 180 grit 3M sharkskin and capped with a kashira of the old style showing the classic crenelated edges surrounding a beautiful lithograph of an ancient beverage which may have been oriental.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat4.JPG
The kissaki shows the beautiful temper line from where I lost my temper pounding it flat. However it demonstrates the old school of fine blade art in its classic angle derived from a good pair of tin snips.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat5.JPG
The habaki is made of numerous strands of a synthetic material of great strength currently used to hold boxes together in shipping.
In all, the classic lines are timeless and reek of traditional values.
It is a priceless example of a new smith following a long line of expert blade craftsmen.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Merry Christmas all.
You should have seen his face when I showed him this one. (wrapped in silk of course. He almost died THEN.
This then, is the sword I built for my late buddy.
As you can see, the blade is pristine. I think I used a chrome strip off a 66 Buick as other years lacked a decent blood groove.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat1.JPG
The tsuba was a very rare pattern derived from the "creamy" style of peanut butter and not the common crunchy style.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat2.JPG
The menuki was an actual menu-KEY. I think it came from a door lock.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat3.JPG
The handle, wrapped in traditional "maskee" tape was wound around genuine 180 grit 3M sharkskin and capped with a kashira of the old style showing the classic crenelated edges surrounding a beautiful lithograph of an ancient beverage which may have been oriental.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat4.JPG
The kissaki shows the beautiful temper line from where I lost my temper pounding it flat. However it demonstrates the old school of fine blade art in its classic angle derived from a good pair of tin snips.
http://www.tech-line.com/hockit/kat5.JPG
The habaki is made of numerous strands of a synthetic material of great strength currently used to hold boxes together in shipping.
In all, the classic lines are timeless and reek of traditional values.
It is a priceless example of a new smith following a long line of expert blade craftsmen.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Merry Christmas all.
