Osoraku Zukuri Tanto

J

Justin Carnecchia

Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
147
Hi, This is high layer Osoraku Zukuri Tanto I finished a couple weeks ago. Blade is around 10" forged from W-2 and 1075 folded out to around 3,600 layers. Clay coated and quenched in water. Saya is Zircote w/ chestnut burl end caps, brown ito over black ray skin, heat blued Damascus tsuba and fittings provided by the customer.
Sorry for the bad pics, that is something I'm working on...

Thanks for looking, feedback is appreciated. -Justin
 

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A very ambitious geometry and nicely done. I like the hamon quite a bit if a little high up for traditional. I love the ziricote for the saya. Did you line it?

I would recommend hishigame next time you do a wrap and your ura side knot is incorrect.
Here's a one page resource that's quite good. I have the book and it's worth it.
http://www.tsukamaki.net/tsuka/
 
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Hi Justin, Very nicely done. The hamon looks to have some really nice activity ( always hard to capture by photo ) Have to agree with Stuart, the hamon is a little high. The Tsuka looks to be a little flat on the top and bottom, although this just might be the angle of the photo. Thanks goes to Stuart for putting me on to the link he has supplied about the hishigame, its a must do. There are so many little aspects to making anything in the Japanese style that you cannot dismiss to get it right and for me this is a challenge I really enjoy. " The journey continues ".
Cheers Keith
 
Thanks guys. No the saya isn't lined, that didn't occur to me when making it (Jesus Hernandez suggested it too), I did end up making a shira-saya for storage. The wrap isn't perfect, those knots were surprisingly difficult. After several attempts, the ito was beginning to fray so I went with what I had, because I didn't have extra.
This was my first try with a traditionally mounted Japanese blade, overall I am pretty happy with it, but there are certainly things to be improved for next time. Thanks for your comments, -Justin
 
It's pretty good, and certainly a valiant effort for a first try.

If you are going to do more, load up on Japanese bamboo knitting needles(I use the #10 double ended), sheet copper, ito and same'....you never know when you will screw up.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
It's pretty good, and certainly a valiant effort for a first try.

If you are going to do more, load up on Japanese bamboo knitting needles(I use the #10 double ended), sheet copper, ito and same'....you never know when you will screw up.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Hi STeven,
Could you explain the use of the copper sheet? Thanks in advance.
Cheers Keith
 
keithf said:
Hi STeven,
Could you explain the use of the copper sheet? Thanks in advance.
Cheers Keith
Click to expand...

Hi Keith,

Depending upon the thickness, it is used for habaki, seppa, and shitodome. In a pinch it can be used to fabricate fuchi/kashira...handy stuff.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Thanks for the tips guys. It may be a while before I try another Japanese blade as they are not exactly in keeping with my current goals as a bladesmith, but I will certainly get back it at some point.
Honestly when the customer said he wanted a osuraku-zukuri fighter I was picturing something else. I was thinking of a western style fighter with shinogi and o-kissaki, but was pleased for the challenge of the traditional Japanese mounting. It was something I had been wanting to do but kept putting off. Overall I was pleased with how the project came out, especially the blade and saya.
 
keithf said:
Hi STeven,
Could you explain the use of the copper sheet? Thanks in advance.
Cheers Keith
Click to expand...

Three purposes:
Shimming to give a better fitting saya, this is not common however, usually you would want to use wood shims.
or two:
Used with certain woods placed on the opening of the ha(edge) side of the saya mostly to prevent a user from cutting through the wood and cutting themselves when practicing iaido
Or three:
Habaki making

@OP
Nice looking tanto, the proportions are fairly decent for a difficult geometry good job.
Tsukamaki definitely needs some hishigami, and the knot needs some work.
PS buy some inexpensive cotton wrap, I think I paid close to $70 for 100 feet and wrap some hammer handles for practice.
 
Thanks STeven and Luis G. Yes I am aware of those uses, thanks. Just thought it may be a neat trick with something to do with tying off the Tsuka Ito. That Same sure is tuff when you thread and tie off!
Cheers Keith
 
Fuggin beautiful. I love the hamon, it flows. Could you post a close up of the menuki? :thumbup:
 
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Question: the geometry is quiete strange. I don't understan what is for. Can you, please explain?
 
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