Rustic Tanto

[Lorien]

I don't know exactly what it is about your knives, Ben, and I hope you take this the right way, but I would love to throw this one.
I mean, awesome fusion and finish and whatever, but I just wanna pick this knife up, feel it out and chuck it at something.
This is a compliment, coming from me

ps. I could see myself wrestling a cougar and killing it with this knife. Provided it didn't bite my throat first.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks fellas!!

I don't know exactly what it is about your knives, Ben, and I hope you take this the right way, but I would love to throw this one.
I mean, awesome fusion and finish and whatever, but I just wanna pick this knife up, feel it out and chuck it at something.
This is a compliment, coming from me

ps. I could see myself wrestling a cougar and killing it with this knife. Provided it didn't bite my throat first.

Thanks Lorien.
If you think this would be nice to throw, you should see the thick 3v one I am working on...

And good luck with the cougar attack, I am thinking lead, not steel would be my defense of choice.

 

[harkamus]

Sorry about that earlier price inquiry. I figured since you were a maker, it was fine to ask for a ball park price. That said, I do have another question about the construction. The tanto looks to be a full tang knife, yes? What's keeping the tsuba from just sliding off? Is it just friction fit and further reinforced by the cord wrapping?

The pictures also make the knife deceptive looking in terms of size. I figured it was something like 10 inches overall length. 12 inches is a bit large to carry for me.

Lastly, can we get a pic of the top of the knife to see the swedge? No worries, if you already sold the knife.

 

[Zemapeli]

Wow exquisite work

 

[BenR.T.]

Sorry about that earlier price inquiry. I figured since you were a maker, it was fine to ask for a ball park price. That said, I do have another question about the construction. The tanto looks to be a full tang knife, yes? What's keeping the tsuba from just sliding off? Is it just friction fit and further reinforced by the cord wrapping?

The pictures also make the knife deceptive looking in terms of size. I figured it was something like 10 inches overall length. 12 inches is a bit large to carry for me.

Lastly, can we get a pic of the top of the knife to see the swedge? No worries, if you already sold the knife.

No worries. It didn't bother me, but this forum has rules.

The swedge was left fairly thick. Since a tanto is more of an armor piercing weapon, and I wanted some meat behind the tip.

Yes it is basically a full tang. The tsuba sits up against shoulder on the ricasso. It is a press fit, but is set permanently with epoxy and then there are leather slabs, then the wrap, and then the whole handle is soaked in epoxy. It is rock solid.
I made a WIP thread a while back using this construction method....
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1213689-A2-Wakizashi-Build-along