Ron Best Integral Wakizashi

Status
Not open for further replies.
betzner said:
Joe,

No Saya. The plan has been to display it in an upright stand, partly of cocobolo, being made by Bill Rice of Moon Dance by the Sea, a local Central Coast artist/forger/engraver/carver. It's in the works.
Click to expand...

Bob I anxiously await seeing the finished set up

Congrats again
 
Great piece Bob, thanks for sharing
Dave
Hope that you and yours have a safe Holiday
 
BTW, I sent the photo to Ron Best and he said "Yeah, THAT one was a handful to make. Great photo!"

Then he allowed he's been working on an integral D-guard for the past months; first fixed blade integral in three years. You can't hold them back!

Coop
 
So is this actually a differentially hardened blade, or is that some kind of differential/two-tone polishing?
 
Nick,

It's not differentially hardened, it's D-2 at a 58 Rockwell. Beadblasted overall to begin with (not the handle), then the grind was hand-polished to satin, then the hamon "effect" was apparently polished on top of the handrub. At least that's what I gather, from what I can see and from what I've read about the piece. I've not been able to exactly nail down from anything in writing how the hamon came about, so that part of my explanation is purely from my own observation.

But, of course, it really doesn't matter, since this piece seems obviously meant to be an art piece, one that perhaps exists to represent the form moreso than the function. It's the art of it that caused it to be acquired rather than any functionality - but it is indeed plenty sharp.

But it should be noted that I have a great disdain for any type of hamon, true or otherwise. Still, the piece appealed to me enough to acquire.

Bob
 
Last edited:
I have never seen anything like it Bob.. I recall when Ron used to sell hunters and fighters, before he made the move to integrals and art folders.. The progression has been amazing, agree? Congratulations on obtaining such a unique sword for your collection.. It truly is beautiful... Best Regards, Rich
 
I did not see this thread. So you got it... I saw this sword when it appeared on bladegallery a few yars ago, and then did hesitate when I saw it in the exchange section. Congratulations. Please post a picture when displayed.
 
Point of note: The hamon was so subtle, that I took great pains to display it and show it prominently. I used a shadowing dark mask to draw it out. It is barely recognizable with a normal view under my light tent, or in the hands.
This sword is absolutely magnificent, and it was purposely built to show great machining and artistry talents. I am convinced it is as hard a blade as would be worthy of a piece of this nature.

Coop
 
Love this piece. I agree with Steven about the hamon but everything else is stunning.

Particularly, I like the grind choice. The Lum style tip is far more at home with this piece than a traditional Japanese style would have been.

Still trying to wrap my head around this being an integral, very impressive!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top