Wakizashi in the works {Finished pics page 2}

[BenR.T.]

Hey guys! I am working on a new wakizashi design and I figured I would put up a few pics of the build along the way. This one is a bit different than my other waki. With it's narrower/lighter blade it is less chopper and more battle blade. Steel is .290" Cpm 3v, OAL is a about 22.5" and the blade is just over 14".

Here is a video showing me starting the fuller on one side of the blade. I take about .005" a pass for roughing and finish passes are about .002". This is all done manually.

[video=youtube;dNR319dxYc0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNR319dxYc0[/video]

Here is the finished fuller......



After I finish profiling the blade, I mill in my signature tapered fuller in the spine.



The finished profile, ready to grind.

 

[MIGUY]

Looks nice! Will it have any sori?

 

[BenR.T.]

Looks nice! Will it have any sori?

A bit. It has a bit of built in Koshi Sori in the handle/blade area. The rest will develop during the quench, so we will see how much after I heat treat it.

 

[Lycosa]

It's gonna be a good New Year.
rolf

 

[Steven65]

Ben that looks like an amazing project! I look forward to the updates. Thread subscribed!

 

[d762nato]

Looks like it's going to be another nice piece of work.

 

[Storm Crow]

This will be awesome, I predict.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks guys. Grinding it right now. More pics tonight.

 

[BenR.T.]

Ok guys. Sorry I didn't take more pics, but here is the blade ground.





Doing the pre HT hand sanding. I like to do this on 3V saves me from finding a deep scratch after it is hardened. Which is stupid hard to sand out post HT.



Seriously one of the best things to me is building a sword that's a tribute to ancient design, out of uber modern steel, and having it develop sori while plate quenching. Such a full circle thing for me.

This pic is post hardening and ready to go into LN.

 

[Mike157]

Really liking the profile and grind on this one Ben. Love that sori also. Thanks for the WIP pictures. Always exciting. Mike

 

[JParanee]

Looking forward to following along

Sheath ?

 

[Storm Crow]

Very cool. Does the LN seem to do anything to the sori?

 

[BenR.T.]

Very cool. Does the LN seem to do anything to the sori?

Not that I have noticed.
It does occasionally create side to side warp though.

 

[BenR.T.]

Really liking the profile and grind on this one Ben. Love that sori also. Thanks for the WIP pictures. Always exciting. Mike

Thanks Mike.

Looking forward to following along

Sheath ?

That depends on who buys it and what they want. Kydex is obviously the most cost effective for most people, but I am not opposed to building an aluminum sheath for it. I aim to please.

 

[JParanee]

Thanks Mike.



That depends on who buys it and what they want. Kydex is obviously the most cost effective for most people, but I am not opposed to building an aluminum sheath for it. I aim to please.

Friends don't let friends use plastic sheaths

Only kidding buddy happy new and great work

 

[BenR.T.]

Friends don't let friends use plastic sheaths

Only kidding buddy happy new and great work

Not all my customers are my friends. : )

 

[BenR.T.]

Fresh out of the Liquid nitrogen.....

 

[Lycosa]

I like your quote, Ben. lol!!!
This is gonna be good. Very good.
rolf

 

[BenR.T.]

Tempered and ready to finish......

 

[Bob Leedy]

Wicked blade and nice polish!