What do ya'll think?

Thanks all! I really appreciate the input and I had considered flushing the guard up so that may be the ticket! That's why I posted it before doing the final glue up on it. I have already changed the guard twice and it still wasn't working for me but sometimes you're too close to something to see what the issue is. I think I'll add a brass spacer between the guard and handle and either flush the guard or leave it with a 1/16" overhang. Have to see how it looks when I get there. Thanks again for being supportive and the great words!
 
Erik, Nice sword.
Try placing a 3/4" piece of ebony at the guard. If you like the look, shorten the maple handle accordingly, and add the ebony spacer.

I think the piece is a little too long to make it without any guard, but the guard can be nothing more than a 1/4" lip ( basically a hand stop).
The style would be called shoto-wakizashi, BTW.

For copper to inlay, go to The Home Depot (or any similar store) and get a foot of bare copper wire in whatever gauges you like. It is over on the cut-to-length rolls. Heat it to a dull red, let cool to loose the red color, and quench in water. That will anneal it soft.
For the decoration :
Make two holes spaced about 1/4" apart, one a little larger than the other, near the guard rim above the spine (12 o'clock on the guard). The larger hole should be a tad closed to the rim than the smaller one. These are the udenuki-ana (cord holes) and represent the sun and moon.
Place four smaller holes, close together, at the four o'clock position. These are the sukasahsi ( decorative holes) and represent a "choji" or clove blossom. Slightly chamfer the holes and hammer in the copper. The simple addition of a little inlay can make a tsuba really stand out.
Stacy
 
Great idea with the ebony, I had thought about that and for some reason discarded it but I like that even better than copper / brass (a lot better than brass!). And that design is about what I had in mind so thank you for finalizing it for me :D
 
Bruce,

I have some bronze bar, just have to turn it. However, I think I may have some copper stashed that I remember about. But I definitely appreciate the offer! Dislike brass a little?
 
TekSec said:
Bruce,

I have some bronze bar, just have to turn it. However, I think I may have some copper stashed that I remember about. But I definitely appreciate the offer! Dislike brass a little?
Click to expand...

I like the look of brass until it oxidizes and/or turns green. Bronze is sure pretty even when it darkens. Most collectors wont buy brass anymore.
 
How about now??? Ignore the gap around the blade, it's just hand pressed on :)

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Cool stuff Erik! I really like the shape of the guard and handle, and that wood is sweet.
I hope you dont mind me saying so but I think the handle looks to big. Its hard to tell from the pictures but if you consider the overall composition the handle is very "heavy". in other words its hard to take my eyes off the handle. The long strait blade ends up looking kinda insegnificant in comparison. In the traditional swords the hamon, and fuller or curve when they are there add visual weight. Also the coller ( I am sorry I do not know the proper terms) helps with the transition from the normally large handle to thin blade. I think there are three good options; one add a coller in front of the gaurd, or two make the handle thinner, or three add a thinner than the handle ferule and make the handle shorter.

Of course in better lighting the piece may look more balanced visually. And finally what the heck do I know. :) Its probably in your best interest to just ignore me:) sorry if I am being nitpicky. I do think it is a cool piece.
 
Oh heck no, not ignoring anyone's comments! I understand what you're saying and totally think the same. This is really more of a "hey, let's see what happens if I do this" piece. I have a couple of more tricks to try out on this one so we'll see how it works out! Thanks for the input and the compliments :D
 
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