New large tanto model

[BenR.T.]

Hey guys I just finished up this Tanto that I have been making for a Build off competition on the USN forum. We had 5 days to build any knife we want and put it head to head up against another makers knife. You can see all of my WIP pics on there or on IG if you are so inclined ‪#‎brtbuildoff2015‬
The OAL is 17 1/8", with a hand rubbed CPM 3V blade that is 11 3/4" long.
The guard and menuki are Zirconium and the spacer is hammered copper as well as the belt stud on the sheath. The sheath has a Bison hide front with an elephant hide overlay. I am calling this model, my Shinobi Tanto.

Any and all comments welcome.
Thanks for looking!!

 

[AVigil]

Awesome Ben!

 

[marekomau]

I dig it man!

 

[Lycosa]

This^ but I'd prefer a traditional spine, Ben, altho that spine fuller is cool!
rolf

 

[Doug C]

Very nice piece, Ben.
The bohi and spine look great together. :thumbup:
Thanks for sharing.

Doug

 

[Lorien]

I like it very much!

 

[Steve Nuckels]

Ben, this is so cool, I really appreciate your work!

Steve
-----------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

 

[i4Marc]

I'm not a big tanto guy but this one is very nice. Super precise work as usual.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Good stuff, bro.

 

[Mike157]

Gorgeous Ben. Love that subtle belly in the blade. Mike

Just checked out your WIP photos Ben. Very nice. Lots of detail. Enjoyed them very much. Thanks Ben.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am very happy with how it turned out. I feel my latest tanto designs have a much more elegant look and feel to them. This one in particular has a very powerful feel to it. And with the balance point only about an 1" in front of the guard, it still is quite quick as well.

This^ but I'd prefer a traditional spine, Ben, altho that spine fuller is cool!
rolf

Although not as common, a Kakumune is traditional, not that I am shooting for typically traditional.......

 

[Lycosa]

What you shoot, you hit.^
Get back to work, Ben!
rolf

 

[daizee]

Wow.
How long is that handle? It's hard to tell the proportions. I feel like you'd want a big lever on that blade!

 

[BP_]

amazing! very, very impressive all the way around. thanks for sharing with us all

 

[Lycosa]

daizee- The Japanese knife handles are shorter on purpose.
rolf

 

[Doug C]

The Japanese, generally, have smaller hands.

Doug

 

[JEFFREY]

WOW ! Five days ? I am speechless.

 

[Lycosa]

The smaller Japanese handle excels for a palm grip and various grip configurations and it's allows for easier concealment.
Doug!!??

 

[scotchleaf]

Amazing work.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks guys.

Small hands or not......this has a 5 1/8" long handle. So not short by any means.