Shinogi-Zukuri Tanto

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
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I was asked by a fellow at work to make him a Tanto as a gift for his father. As we work in a woodworking shop, he wanted to do the mounting himself so I did the blade and habaki.

He looked through my books and really wanted the Shinogi-Zukuri style of blade even though it's not usual in a Tanto length blade.

This one is right on the line for length measuring at exactly 1 shaku or 30.3cm or just under 12".

It was a struggle and it sure is a detriment having only videos and books to look at but I learned so much about sword geometry making this one.

The steel is Don Hanson's W2 and was water quenched.

The finish is a hybrid approach with sandpaper and etching. I did however make a version of this handy little tool, a Narume-Dai, for doing the kissaki.

narume-dai.jpg



Here's some pics.

PetrTanto_2.jpg


PetrTanto_4.jpg


PetrTanto_5.jpg


PetrTanto_6.jpg


PetrTanto_7.jpg


PetrTanto_1.jpg
 
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HOLY COW!!!!


Those look great, man! You're really getting some scary activity going on...
 
WOW Stuart they look very nice it would seem that everything you do you do well.
 
Wow Stuart... share the secret of those hamons. ;)
... and show me how to use that kissaki tool that looks like a featherboard for a table saw. ;)
Erin
 
I hope you hang on to it til Sunday at least, I'd love to see that blade in person!
 
Those pics are epic! Extremely nice work sir. My mind is now officially blown by that second hamon picture. :)
 
very nice stuff. beautiful hamon activity.

Do you find that you get more with water quench? I used to water quench.. but the 50% loss rate caught up with me one week....
 
Excellent. You, sir, have done your homework. As someone who's worked in this style for years, it pleases me to no end that you have "gotten" it.

Dan
 
Thanks everyone. I've been working on the hamons and there's so much that can be varied, I'm not sure I've ever done the same thing twice.
But, one huge thing for bringing out the activity is the use of loose abrasives.

Nice to hear from you Dan as Mike mentioned you and your methods and how good your hamons are.

Scott, I haven't done many water quenches and gave up on them a while back because of catastrophic failure and that I got some Parks#50. I use water for the Japanese style to induce the sori, or curvature, and for the tradition of it but what I've done recently is to water quench for a count of 3 and then into Parks#50 for the remainder of the quench. It's my "too scared for full water quench" approach. :p:p

Erin, I'm not using the "featherboard" correctly as it usually has some cotton and some stones in it but a little double sided tape and some sandpaper and it's a good cushioned but flat support for working the kissaki.

Sorry Lorien, the guy already took it to make the handle. I finished it at about 1am last night and it's already gone. I am a little sad it left so soon. :(
 
I mean, oh well!
at least we got some pictures, but I thought for a moment I might have the opportunity to gaze upon it.
 
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Not only the hamon, but the blade shape and geometry looks good. It's a tough thing to get right, and makes japanese style awkward when off by even a little bit. The habaki too, not an easy thing to do.

Dan
 
a little bummed I didn't get to lay hands upon this beauty, don't go and sell that short sword before I get a chance to check it out! Please!
We all had a great time yesterday, thanks so much for your hospitality, we're all looking forward to reciprocating soon. And I'm looking forward to forging out that spearpoint shank I mentioned. I'll have a design together by the next visit.
And thanks so much for the regrind and the tool usage- I now have three more knives THAT much closer to completion : )
 
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