Wakizashi - my first sword

Stuart,

I REALLY love it. I, too really like the variety in your work--it's always nice to see what you post.

Tad
 
Amazing. I don't know much about Japanese swords so can't comment on the fine points of it, but just the fact that after one year of experience you forged something that long and water quenched it without anything going wrong is just a testament to your skill. I love the hamon. The wispy, cloud like hamons of traditional Japanese swords are my preference over the wildly undulating quench lines that are so often done these days.
 
Thanks a lot everyone!! I appreciate the comments tremendously. I like the sword more now that I've tested it. I wasn't sure I would as the only other time I've ever cut mats it marred the blade. This time there were no apparent marks at all.:thumbup:

Just a couple dollar store grass mats rolled up and soaked. You can see that by the end I reduced the power and it was effortless. I know my form is suspect but I think I will buy more mats.. That was fun.

I did a couple more cuts off camera including a free standing piece and a horizontal cut.

[youtube]L64KhJPHXT8[/youtube]
 
I wholeheartedly concur, excellent first results. I can only be envious of such talent.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
That last cut in the video looks effortless--very impressive performance and great to hear the blade was unmarked and unscathed. Congratulations on some truly impressive work, Stuart. :thumbup:
 
Wow, Stuart that is a very impressive accomplishment...The tsuba alone is great but the hamon and wrap and whole package turned out very well on your first.

Eric
 
Wow Stuart :thumbup: Absolutely fantastic work !!

Your video, as Roger mentioned, was "priceless"

The sound of your children's voices started my Lab barking like we had company at the door :D

If this one has "flaws" (I missed that BTW ) I can't wait to see your next one.

Well done :thumbup: :thumbup:



:)
 
Stuart Man that is beautiful the hamon looks like a mountain rang in the first pic I only see perfection .
 
Thanks again for the comments. Well not being one to leave well enough alone I tore apart the handle last night and reduced it. Later today I'll rewrap it.:rolleyes::thumbdn::p
 
hey! Atta boy!
 
SBranson said:
Thanks again for the comments. Well not being one to leave well enough alone I tore apart the handle last night and reduced it. Later today I'll rewrap it.:rolleyes::thumbdn::p
Click to expand...

Hah!!! :D Awesome Stuart. That was the only major issue that I could see... and everything else looked so great (including that awesomely active hamon... which you need to teach me how to pull off) that I couldn't bring myself to say anything bad about the tsuka. You're the man. :thumbup::thumbup:
Erin
 
So here it is with the tsuka redone. It's still large but there's no way I could've taken more away without altering the nakago. The real culprit is the ito.
I bought it along with the ray skin and the fittings from a single source on ebay. Looking back, I bought 12mm !!!! ito. It's very stretchy but what I lose in width adds to thickness.

Anyway, it feels much better and I think there's a much better flow.

Wakizashi96.jpg


Wakizashi97.jpg
 
That's damn handsome, compadre.

I rarely see one of your blades without having to fight off the urge to ask if you would allow me to buy it. This one is no different, but at least I'm getting to the point of being able to talk myself in off the ledge. Goes something like:

"Don't be surprised. You knew this was going to happen. It's just Stuart. You know what he does to you, and you will have the opportunity to buy another of his knives--just not all of them."

Repeat as many times as necessary until piece sells, and remember...

This is not over.

Don't be surprised.

You know what is going to happen...
 
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