Stuart Branson Tiger and Bamboo Kwaiken

[evanPGH]

Hey everyone! Just got word that my little project with Stuart is done and I wanted to share the finished piece with the group.

Disclaimer: I've labeled this as a kwaiken for the sake of this post because it's a term that many in the knife community are familiar with. By the true definition, just about every "kwaiken" is mislabeled.

The idea for this project came to me when I received an orphaned menuki (handle ornament) in a trade. It's a great piece, but it was cast away by several collectors because it lacked a second half. The quality and workmanship of the piece is outstanding and after finding it's way to me through 200+ years, I thought it deserved a better fate.

Note: Spots were used by Japanese artists of the Edo period to distinguish female tigers from males.

Steel is W2 with a presentation grade polish. Red samegawa under gold silk ito, wrapped naturally with no epoxy. 7 5/8" OAL. Sheath is lined with deer skin to minimize wear on the wrap and menuki.

I hope you guys enjoy it! Any comments/questions are encouraged!


























Menuki close up:

 

[DEllis]

Very nice Stuart:thumbup:
I like the bamboo carving on the sheath a lot as well.
Darcy

 

[R APPLEBY]

Very nice, excellent sheath carving.

 

[Will York]

Stuart's pieces are just so "right". I'm always impressed with how he brings pieces together in such a satisfying whole. Wonderful package here--congratulations. :thumbup:

 

[Mike157]

Stuart's pieces are just so "right". I'm always impressed with how he brings pieces together in such a satisfying whole. Wonderful package here--congratulations. :thumbup:

I couldn't have said it any better (thank you Will). But I will repeat the congratulations. Mike

 

[RogerP]

Love it. A knife like this makes for a beautiful and functional EDC.

 

[Lycosa]

You are starting to annoy me, Evan.
:thumbup:

 

[Steven65]

You are a lucky lad! Beautiful.

 

[flatblackcapo]

B e a u t i f u l

 

[Lorien]

one thing Stuart sucks at, is making an ugly knife.

 

[D lisch]

such a sweet little knife and that hamon is very nice

 

[evanPGH]

Thanks for all the comments guys!! Very much appreciated.

We were originally going to do the sheath all red. When I saw Stuart's recent fusion fighter I asked if he could carry the motif on to the leather with mine as well. I love his creativity here. I can just picture the cat hiding in that bamboo forest.

You are starting to annoy me, Evan.
:thumbup:

Sorry brother, at least you can look at it.

I'll get some more shots of it when she comes in.

B e a u t i f u l

You said it man! How you been?!

one thing Stuart sucks at, is making an ugly knife.

Perfect way of putting it, really.

such a sweet little knife and that hamon is very nice

I never thought twice about having him put in the time on the stones. Go big or go home!

 

[Dawkind]

Stuart's one of the VERY BEST....congrats on such a fine project.

 

[parfums95]

Sheath and knife congrats ,

 

[FosterJ]

That smokey hamon really sets it off.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

I couldn't have said it any better (thank you Will). But I will repeat the congratulations. Mike

I'll repeat Mike's quote of Will.


Pure awesome, man. Love it, Stuart!!!

 

[rooster68]

Phenomenal piece! Love everything about it! Congratulations!

 

[JParanee]

Love the knife

 

[evanPGH]

Thanks guys!!

Stuart's one of the VERY BEST....congrats on such a fine project.

Completely agree, he was the first on my list when I wanted to put this together and I was fortunate that he could squeeze me in. Thanks Dudley!

Love the knife

Figured you might

 

[David1967]

Very nice!