(UPDATED)Ko-tanto; a small Japanese Knife

S.Alexander

S.Alexander

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
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UPDATED PHOTOS BELOW

Here is a little project that I have been working on. I was inspired to try a take-down Japanese style blade, after looking at some of the WIP's done by Dave (islandblacksmith) of Crossed Heart Forge. I read many of his online tutorials and learned how the take-downs go together. There was some trial and error along the way as well...

For the tsuka and saya I used Santos Rosewood. Both were both split down the middle, then I carved out the voids with a chisel in order to fit the tang and blade, and glued them back together.

The habaki was formed from an old piece of copper pipe. Although it isn't the traditional habaki shape, it serves the same purpose.

The tsuba was made from a piece of mild steel, and was treated with gun blue. The seppa were formed from a piece of copper pipe, as well as a piece of scrap stainless from an air conditioning unit. The mekugi was made from a piece of walnut

Anyhow, here is the end result. I stopped counting how many knives I have made, but this is probably around #50 :D

















 
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Shane,
The blade is really nice. However, the handle and fittings overpower it. The tsuka and saya need to be reduced considerably. The tsuba on a small knife should only create a slight lip to retard the fingers from sliding forward.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. The kink is bothering me as well. I shaped the tsuka and saya independently which I think caused the awkward looking angle. I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and go back to the grinder with this one
 
Take the tsuba off and put the blade in the tsuka/saya. Wedge with some thin cardboard if needed. Re-shape the wood to a more pleasing shape. Disassemble, finish, and reassemble with a smaller tsuba.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Take the tsuba off and put the blade in the tsuka/saya. Wedge with some thin cardboard if needed. Re-shape the wood to a more pleasing shape. Disassemble, finish, and reassemble with a smaller tsuba.
Click to expand...

Thanks Stacy, that's what I did yesterday. It looks MUCH better than before. I will reassemble it today and take some updated pictures.
 
UPDATED PHOTOS:

I think this looks much better. I reshaped the tsuka and saya so that they flow together. I also significantly reduced their size. I also reduced the size of the tsuba.









 
I told you, you would like it more :)

Looks great!
 
100% better! Very nice job! :thumbup: The only thing (to "my" eye at least) that still just looks a little bit off is the habaki, which seems a bit narrower than the blade as well as seems to become narrower towards the tsuba.. but of course, that's just me, and could just be the photos.. :foot:

Anyway, it's cool that you decided to go back and fix the overall shape, instead of just leaving it as is, it takes some brass after putting in the time to go through all the steps and grits to finish it out in the first place. ;)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
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coldsteelburns said:
100% better! Very nice job! :thumbup: The only thing (to "my" eye at least) that still just looks a little bit off is the habaki, which seems a bit narrower than the blade as well as seems to get narrower towards the tsuka.. but of course, that's just me, and could just be the photos.. :foot:
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul! I think it's the angle of the photos. It's pretty square in reality.

I really didn't want to redo it, but I'm glad I did in the end.
 
Sometimes you just have to channel your inner-Nick Wheeler :D

Good job Shane it looks much better now.

-Clint
 
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