WIP - Sunahama Kotanto, kaiken meets aikuchi...finished!

Nothing short of extraordinary.

Thank you so much for everything, Dave. This process has been a great highlight of my short knife collecting/using career. I've learned so much and I am forever grateful for your work and dedication on this project. You have been an incredible inspiration.

I will truly miss checking for updates but I look forward to many more conversations with everyone here about our shared passion. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment and share their knowledge. It has been an honor.
 
Islandblacksmith,Thank you sooooo much for posting this fantastic WIP.! You have inspired me to study more traditional Japanese knife/sword building techniques.
Evan, Can I borrow it? lol!:D
 
flatblackcapo said:
Islandblacksmith,Thank you sooooo much for posting this fantastic WIP.! You have inspired me to study more traditional Japanese knife/sword building techniques.
Evan, Can I borrow it? lol!:D
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Thanks for reminding me! I need to send you my Bluephin to check out!

I'll let you give this one a shot in due time. :cool:
 
Wow! What a great WIP. Thank you so much. I learned a lot from this thread. Beautiful work, and a beautiful way of working.
 
From a design standpoint I find that the blade is very undersized compared to the handle.
 
Joss said:
From a design standpoint I find that the blade is very undersized compared to the handle.
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That was done on purpose as I wanted something I could carry every day. If it was socially acceptable to sling a full size aikuchi at my side, I would.
 
@Joss indeed, compared to a traditional tanto aesthetic the blade length (nagasa) is too short...good eye!
...and compared to current familiar western proportions, most old tanto have visually short handles and visually narrow blades (motohaba) as well...

@Evan, that would be rad.
______

as Evan mentioned, there were size constraints to work within (either that or pockets to enlarge) for his intended use...the first was that the blade length be fixed at 3", the second that the entire package in saya be under 7.5", and the third that the handle be large enough to use...while preserving as much traditional proportion as possible (both in and out of saya)...

so the approach was something like this, in order: set the nagasa at 3", minimize the habaki length and set the munemachi far back in it to shave off added blade length, take the handle as short as evan would allow me, make the cross section of the handle at the smallest full size historical example we could find, strip any length-eating components like tsuba, add all the remaining length to the end of the saya for better closed proportions and round the end to save pocket corner space...

i would say, other than the blade length, this is basically about a 3/4 scale tanto...what would make it dead on as a scale model of yoroidoshi would be to double the blade length, shave a bit of the handle cross section, and add a bit more "padding" on the end of the saya...

however, as is, this knife fills its requirements well and retains enough of its historical aesthetic to please collectors with a traditionally trained eye...interestingly, the effect of the thick, short, tapered blade in such a solid and dimensional handle is surprisingly different compared to holding the blade on its own, it seems quite powerful...imagine the feeling you would get if you wrapped a slim folding knife handle with a half-inch of duct tape, only better, like an ice pick...very sturdy. (^__^)
 
islandblacksmith said:
@Joss indeed, compared to a traditional tanto aesthetic the blade length (nagasa) is too short...good eye!
...and compared to current familiar western proportions, most old tanto have visually short handles and visually narrow blades (motohaba) as well...

@Evan, that would be rad.
______

as Evan mentioned, there were size constraints to work within (either that or pockets to enlarge) for his intended use...the first was that the blade length be fixed at 3", the second that the entire package in saya be under 7.5", and the third that the handle be large enough to use...while preserving as much traditional proportion as possible (both in and out of saya)...

so the approach was something like this, in order: set the nagasa at 3", minimize the habaki length and set the munemachi far back in it to shave off added blade length, take the handle as short as evan would allow me, make the cross section of the handle at the smallest full size historical example we could find, strip any length-eating components like tsuba, add all the remaining length to the end of the saya for better closed proportions and round the end to save pocket corner space...

i would say, other than the blade length, this is basically about a 3/4 scale tanto...what would make it dead on as a scale model of yoroidoshi would be to double the blade length, shave a bit of the handle cross section, and add a bit more "padding" on the end of the saya...

however, as is, this knife fills its requirements well and retains enough of its historical aesthetic to please collectors with a traditionally trained eye...interestingly, the effect of the thick, short, tapered blade in such a solid and dimensional handle is surprisingly different compared to holding the blade on its own, it seems quite powerful...imagine the feeling you would get if you wrapped a slim folding knife handle with a half-inch of duct tape, only better, like an ice pick...very sturdy. (^__^)
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Indeed it would!

The only way we could have kept strict traditional proportions is if I could have dealt with this being a three finger grip, something I was not willing to do or even consider. Then the tsuka could have been shaved down and the blade and saya made longer to comply.

I'm completely blown away by this piece, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. It does feel incredibly solid as Dave suggested, it carries very well (in regard to both its profile and weight), draws and returns butter smooth and cuts like a demon. I've used it a little already and I've never had a blade this thick slice so well. The maker's extensive knowledge of Japanese blade geometry is very apparent here and the execution is flawless.

The fit is incredible as well. I took it down the day I got it and the way everything comes together is sublime. Not a hair too loose or tight anywhere, as perfect any anything I've ever handled. Immensely impressive considering the methods used to create it.
 
@evan ...awesome! i knew you would have it apart before very long...its too much fun being able to disassemble nihonto style! （￣ー￣）ニヤリ
 
Joss said:
From a design standpoint I find that the blade is very undersized compared to the handle.
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I didn't want to be the first one to say that. The workmanship is superb....although the choice of wood for the saya is not something that I care for.

That the craftsman and client are both pleased is the first test of success for a project, although there are always other considerations as well.

This was a first class and exemplary WIP for those who seem to consistently miss the finer points of classical Japanese construction methods for bladeware.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
I didn't want to be the first one to say that. The workmanship is superb....although the choice of wood for the saya is not something that I care for.

That the craftsman and client are both pleased is the first test of success for a project, although there are always other considerations as well.

This was a first class and exemplary WIP for those who seem to consistently miss the finer points of classical Japanese construction methods for bladeware.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I completely understand that the saya may not be for everyone, it's certainly different. I love the wabi-sabi philosophy and I wanted this piece to reflect that.

@Dave, of course! It was the first thing I did. I wanted to familiarize myself with it and figured a fresh coat of oil couldn't hurt either. I borrowed your chopstick trick to punch out the mekugi, worked like a charm!
 
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I'm in complete agreement with STeven. I find the blade a little small and throws my eye off. Even little wider would be nice but by itself I love the blade. But the owner is happy so who cares what I think.

Also I find the saya a little clashing with the handle but again, that's personal...

The tsuka though is beautiful. At first I wondered why you left the thin line of yellow cedar but boy it's a beautiful accent and so finely carved. That with the yew against the black samegawa... very nice.

As a WIP, this is a fantastic thread with lots of neat ideas and approaches. I particularly like the split handle and left that way for gluing. I would think that would make carving the channel for the nakago a little tougher though..


I would be interested to hear how the steel reacts to the yellow cedar and the saya. As one who has had trouble with spotting due to not lining sayas when using "exotics" (I do now though)....
 
SBranson said:
I'm in complete agreement with STeven. I find the blade a little small and throws my eye off. Even little wider would be nice but by itself I love the blade. But the owner is happy so who cares what I think.

Also I find the saya a little clashing with the handle but again, that's personal...

The tsuka though is beautiful. At first I wondered why you left the thin line of yellow cedar but boy it's a beautiful accent and so finely carved. That with the yew against the black samegawa... very nice.

As a WIP, this is a fantastic thread with lots of neat ideas and approaches. I particularly like the split handle and left that way for gluing. I would think that would make carving the channel for the nakago a little tougher though..


I would be interested to hear how the steel reacts to the yellow cedar and the saya. As one who has had trouble with spotting due to not lining sayas when using "exotics" (I do now though)....
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Completely understood about the saya, certainly not for everyone. While some might see it as clashing, to me it works well. I personally enjoy the contrast between them and both the samegawa and the spalted alder are imperfect products of nature. Neither are symmetrical and nothing is exactly the same anywhere throughout them.

I too was wondering why the cedar accent was left but now it makes perfect sense, I completely agree with you.

I'll keep an eye on everything. Maybe a few months down the road I'll post some pics of how everything looks after being carried and used a bit.
 
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Just amazing work. Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship and storytelling.

Posts like this WIP and your Bone Fusion dagger WIP are the kinds of things that make BF worth reading!

Thank you!
 
excellent thread .. nice to hear also that its being used

and looking forward to seeing current pics ..
 
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