My Keffeler WIP

Infi-del · Mar 9, 2014

I was so impressed with Dan Keffeler's Super Assassin plus all of the other fine cutting instruments I've watched him display in his videos that I wanted to work with him on making me a sword of my design. I've always wanted a japanese inspired sword with a Waki length blade but Katana length tsuka. Not sure what that size sword would be called even... O-Waki? Ko-Katana? I bet STeven would know. Nevertheless, after years of owning different prefab swords and even having a few made by other smiths that didn't quite do it for me. I've found that a sword with around a 17" blade and 11" to 12" tsuka is ideal for me. And Dan is going to make it happen for me. This thread will serve as a WIP (Work In Progress) Thread. At this point the blade has most of its primary grinds and is ready for heat treat. It is constructed of CPM 3V which most people know, Dan is a wizard at heat treating. I'm very exited about this project. Though I ADORE my Super Assassin... this will be MY sword. And that has its own joy to it.

Here is the sword's beginnings from raw steel. Also pictured is the titanium tsuba Dan has set aside for me from a few he already had made up. I love the shape of the tsuba. It's got a great fusion of classical and modern design.

Preliminary grinding, ready for heat treat. You can see the ultimate shape the blade will take here.

gregorio · Mar 10, 2014

A WIP would be nice. Are you going to have a traditional saya wrap on the handle?

Infi-del · Mar 10, 2014

gregorio said:
A WIP would be nice. Are you going to have a traditional saya wrap on the handle?

It will have a tsunami cord diamond wrap for tsuka ito. However it will be over a Terotuf core without same (ray skin). So traditional'ish. But it will have a more traditional look and feel to it. There will be titanium Fuchi and Kashira as well.

Keep in mind this is my design. Dan would more than likely prefer to remove more metal. Give it a Bo-Hi or something to lighten then blade. I am a pretty big guy and don't mind a touch of extra weight. Doesn't really seem to slow me down at all. The Super Assassin is like 3.5lbs and it moves just fine in my hands. I don't think this one will be a problem with the long tsuka for leverage.

Dan said the stock is about .30"

JParanee · Mar 10, 2014

I'm tuned in

Dan does a great job of bringing the Katana into modern times

Much like the great PH did in his time

I like the dimensions

My favorite sword is a Hartsfield Katana with a 26 inch blade and a 13 inch Tsuka

Infi-del · Mar 11, 2014

JParanee said:
I'm tuned in

Dan does a great job of bringing the Katana into modern times

Much like the great PH did in his time

I like the dimensions

My favorite sword is a Hartsfield Katana with a 26 inch blade and a 13 inch Tsuka

I always wanted a Hartsfield Katana. I fear that will never happen at this point.

knife dragon · Mar 11, 2014

thx for sharing this wip with us dude. good to go your own way when it's practical imho.
i sent Dan an email yesterday. i wanting a chinese jian that can pass test cuts close to his assassin blade.

This is gonna be a cool w.i.p. imho i'm gonna pull up a seat iudm.

Hartfields work. i coveted it for years, and now that i can afford him i am not so keen on getting one of his tantos. i'm more of a folder type of guy now for edc, except a knecker type blade.

gga357 · Mar 11, 2014

Thanks for sharing I am a fan of Dan's work, but yet to own one. I will have to fix that sooner than later.

Kohai999 · Mar 11, 2014

Infi-del said:
with a Waki length blade but Katana length tsuka. Not sure what that size sword would be called even... O-Waki? Ko-Katana? I bet STeven would know.

Chisa katana

I love Dan's work and he is a great guy.

I can't abide this style of sword without a habaki. Without a habaki, you cannot have a proper Japanese style scabbard(saya) and that is part of the whole appeal for me, as it allows the fastest draw.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

gregorio · Mar 11, 2014

wow, three and a half pounds is going to be a monster. I think my arms would be a bit weary after a few minutes with that guy.

Infi-del · Mar 12, 2014

Kohai999 said:
Chisa katana

Thank you.

I love Dan's work and he is a great guy.

I can't abide this style of sword without a habaki. Without a habaki, you cannot have a proper Japanese style scabbard(saya) and that is part of the whole appeal for me, as it allows the fastest draw.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I always try and make sure to say Japanese "Style" whenever talking about these sorts of things in an attempt to not try and lump it in with Nihonto. James Aguilar will have the Super Assassin this week in an attempt to make a sheath for it. So hopefully he can wizard up something that is both secure but easy to access.

Infi-del · Mar 12, 2014

knife dragon said:
thx for sharing this wip with us dude. good to go your own way when it's practical imho.
i sent Dan an email yesterday. i wanting a chinese jian that can pass test cuts close to his assassin blade.

I know he has spoken about making a gladius. A Jian might not be that big a stretch. I wanna talk him into making me a Buster Sword LOL. I'd probably have to sell my house to do it though.

This is gonna be a cool w.i.p. imho i'm gonna pull up a seat iudm.

Hartfields work. i coveted it for years, and now that i can afford him i am not so keen on getting one of his tantos. i'm more of a folder type of guy now for edc, except a knecker type blade.

I tend to stick to fixed blades. I have a folder or two but I just tend to always pack a fixed blade if I can only bring one knife. But I always thought Hartsfields japanese style blades were hot. I recently picked up a Criswell O-Tanto from back in the day. I've always felt you get so much goodness for what you pay for a Criswell.

Tulku · Mar 16, 2014

*subscribed

BePrepared · Mar 16, 2014

how big a mortgage would i have to take out on my home to get one like that?

Infi-del · Mar 22, 2014

BePrepared said:
how big a mortgage would i have to take out on my home to get one like that?

Let's just say I had to get rid of all my Busses and a Rick Barrett Tanto to get the ball rolling.

Bigfattyt · Mar 31, 2014

Great thread so far. Fantastic swords and choppers coming from Keffler. The Super Assasin sure made me drool when watching video's in use.

I look forward to seeing this sword completed.

Kohai999 said:
Chisa katana

I love Dan's work and he is a great guy.

I can't abide this style of sword without a habaki. Without a habaki, you cannot have a proper Japanese style scabbard(saya) and that is part of the whole appeal for me, as it allows the fastest draw.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I wonder if a maker could use slightly thicker stock and simply leave that area thicker stock where the typical habaki would be, and step down with the grind, like an integral habaki.

JParanee · Mar 31, 2014

What type of Saya are you doing ?

Infi-del · Apr 1, 2014

JParanee said:
What type of Saya are you doing ?

Probably Kydex. James Aguilar has my Super Assassin as we speak working up a nice kydex sheath. Gonna see how that turns out and may go the same route.

But what I'd really like is a a solid fiberglass scabbard with perhaps rare earth magnets embedded to hold the sword in place. But who makes such a thing?

Infi-del · Apr 1, 2014

Here is an older sword done by Dan...

Handle wrap is going to be very similar to this. Diamond wrap tsunami cord of dark gray Terotuf core. But mine is going to have a titanium fuchi and kashira. Plus the flats on mine will be left blackened.

Plus you can see there is a step up on the blade base just before the plunge. Dan and I agreed my sword would be more attractive if the step up was at the edge itself.

Infi-del · Apr 10, 2014

Well this WIP thread just got doubly interesting. Since I gave Dan the Super Assassin back he has agreed to make a Katana version of this sword so that I can have a matched set. The Katana is going to have about a 25" to 26" blade and approximately the same length tsuka. It will also have a deeper curvature to the blade.

We were both very impressed with James Aguilar's sheath work on the Super Assassin so more than likely he'll be making the sheaths for these as well. I was thinking of doing his kydex/leather hybrid sheaths. Not sure yet though what I want.

Camber · Apr 10, 2014

Infi-del said:
Well this WIP thread just got doubly interesting. Since I gave Dan the Super Assassin back he has agreed to make a Katana version of this sword so that I can have a matched set. The Katana is going to have about a 25" to 26" blade and approximately the same length tsuka. It will also have a deeper curvature to the blade.

We were both very impressed with James Aguilar's sheath work on the Super Assassin so more than likely he'll be making the sheaths for these as well. I was thinking of doing his kydex/leather hybrid sheaths. Not sure yet though what I want.

Not surprised by that at all. Dan's a good guy. Congrats on the pair!

My Keffeler WIP

Second Degree Cutter