Old school kwaiken cool

BenR.T.

BenR.T.

Tanto grinder & High performance blade peddler
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Apr 18, 2011
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I know I have been posting nothing but kwaikens lately, but honestly that's all I have been making! I have been doing many variations and working on things like making my wrap as tight and even as possible, as well as cleaning up my end knot. I am very pleased with them at this point.
I have always liked the look of the Hartsfields with the cotton wrap. Thanks to Adam Vigil I got a hold of some of the good stuff. :cool:

This is my Kraiken model, which has lots of built in sori. This particular one is .210" CPM 3v with a double grind down to razor sharp edge and point.

The sheath is Aluminum, wrapped in Bison hide and lined with kevlar. The "sageo" adds grip when tucked in your belt, and also extends to act as a static cord.

I have been carrying and using a tanto style pocket knife for over ten years straight. When I say "tanto" I am really referring to the grind style as that is what it is generally know as here. The utility nature of the Americanized tanto blade shape I think is underrated and often misunderstood. The angled front edge works awesome for scraping, much like a chisel. And the secondary point where the bevels meet means the blade cuts deeply on a pull cut or stab.

Anyway, enough talk here are some pics. :D







 
My favorite combo.

Looks just right.

Time for me to make some, been working on other projects and the cord wrap is calling me ;)
 
So nice, Ben.
The Japanese already had a straight chisel point. I don't get the "Americanized."
rolf
 
Really bea-u-tiful work! Awesome craftsmanship. Really, I shan't lie to ya.

And I agree with your thoughts on many of the American-styled tantos. Your's more in keeping with what I understand them to be.

Once tried doing cord wrap on a ZT09. Wasn't bad for a first attempt, I later rewrapped it another way, but I'd like to try on another knife. Hard work, gotta be patient.

Thanks for the pics.

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 
Looking good Ben. Admittedly, I don't know much about this style of knife. But everything looks REALLY neat, clean and right on this.
 
Lycosa said:
So nice, Ben.
The Japanese already had a straight chisel point. I don't get the "Americanized."
rolf
Click to expand...

Rolf, you are correct. Japanese swords did have a very similar point. Although it is not generally seen on Japanese kwaikens or tanto.
 
I seriously have to stop looking at your posts... every time I see any pictures of your work I always think "ok ya, that's my favorite..." and then next time "oh ok no THIS is my favorite..."

Looks amazing as usual. One day...
 
Hi Ben,

I prefer the Turk's Head Knot to be black, but that is preference for you.

The cotton cord looks very cool! I like it, and your diamonds look pretty damned perfect.

The "sori" is an accurate term, "blade curvature", but "sageo" it is not.....you have "static cord"....that is how it is used and that is the correct term.

You would need it to be attached to a kurikata (chestnut) in order to be sageo.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Hi Ben,

I prefer the Turk's Head Knot to be black, but that is preference for you.

The cotton cord looks very cool! I like it, and your diamonds look pretty damned perfect.

The "sori" is an accurate term, "blade curvature", but "sageo" it is not.....you have "static cord"....that is how it is used and that is the correct term.

You would need it to be attached to a kurikata (chestnut) in order to be sageo.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Thats what the air quotes around "sageo" are for. :D
You are correct in that is a fancy static cord wrap. Maybe I will call it tsuba ito, and really confuse people. ;)
 
Thanks for the kind words everyone. I love doing these things, and I am glad you guys like them too!
 
Just superb work on a style of Blade that I have been a 30 year fan of

They are the ultimate utility knife and you are doing them justice
 
JParanee said:
Just superb work on a style of Blade that I have been a 30 year fan of

They are the ultimate utility knife and you are doing them justice
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe, your opinion means a great deal to me on these. :thumbup:
 
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