- Joined
- Dec 7, 2000
- Messages
- 5,179
Finally finished this one, but it's schizo. 
Doesn't know whether it's Japanese or American, whether traditional or the fantasy fruit of some bizarre fever dream. Some of both. It cuts like a demon.
I've been so close to this project for so long that I can't tell whether it works; some days it's butt ugly, some days a pleasant surprise. This is what happens when I get such a vague order as "Make me a tanto with rayskin wrap." Okay, George, here goes.
Specs:
Overall length 12 1/2"
Blade is O1, blade length 6 7/8"; satin finish to 1500 grit
Vine filework full length of the blade
Differentially hardened and drawn back to about 58-60
Habaki / Bolsters are copper, pinned on
The same is a raw skin, cut at 90 degrees to the centerline to get even distribution of the nodes
Cotton Ito, epoxy coated
The turksheads are nylon
Saya is fully felt lined Bubinga, with Ebony fittings
If I had it to do again (and I will), I'd make the blade about 2" longer, leave the tip of the saya more square to its length and closer to the overall diameter rather than so pointy. I'd plan the handle wrap better so I didn't require the second turkshead to ease the step down from the same. Live and learn! Even so, this knife is my best workmanship yet; I finally was able to break out of the plateau I was stuck in. If there is any single skill a knife maker most needs, it's patience.
Special thanks go to George Harrison for allowing me full creative license, to Bruce Evans for his posting of the palm sander trick and to R.W. Clark for instruction on working the raw same. And general thanks once again to everyone here for all the ongoing help and support. I'd be working in a vacuum without you.
Doesn't know whether it's Japanese or American, whether traditional or the fantasy fruit of some bizarre fever dream. Some of both. It cuts like a demon.I've been so close to this project for so long that I can't tell whether it works; some days it's butt ugly, some days a pleasant surprise. This is what happens when I get such a vague order as "Make me a tanto with rayskin wrap." Okay, George, here goes.
Specs:
Overall length 12 1/2"
Blade is O1, blade length 6 7/8"; satin finish to 1500 grit
Vine filework full length of the blade
Differentially hardened and drawn back to about 58-60
Habaki / Bolsters are copper, pinned on
The same is a raw skin, cut at 90 degrees to the centerline to get even distribution of the nodes
Cotton Ito, epoxy coated
The turksheads are nylon
Saya is fully felt lined Bubinga, with Ebony fittings
If I had it to do again (and I will), I'd make the blade about 2" longer, leave the tip of the saya more square to its length and closer to the overall diameter rather than so pointy. I'd plan the handle wrap better so I didn't require the second turkshead to ease the step down from the same.
Live and learn! Even so, this knife is my best workmanship yet; I finally was able to break out of the plateau I was stuck in. If there is any single skill a knife maker most needs, it's patience.Special thanks go to George Harrison for allowing me full creative license, to Bruce Evans for his posting of the palm sander trick and to R.W. Clark for instruction on working the raw same. And general thanks once again to everyone here for all the ongoing help and support. I'd be working in a vacuum without you.
...that is one beautiful knife. Great craftsmanship. You should certianly be proud of this one!
