WIP Traditional tanto

Dan Seaver

Dan Seaver

Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
898
Well I finally got the copper I needed to make habaki so I can start finishing the tanto. Right now it just has a rough polish but I'm going to finish it between 1000 and 8000 on the water stones, depending on how motivated I am. :p

I'm planning on waxed (not laquered) jatoba tsuka and saya; with ray skin and black silk ito. It will also have a copper tsuba.

Oh well here are the pictues.
From 11/27
12-1001.jpg

12-1002.jpg

12-1003.jpg

From 12/1
12-1004.jpg

12-1005.jpg


The habaki needs to be squared up still but it fits tight enough that removing it requires light hammering on the habaki behind the mune-machi.

Comments, critiques, questions?
 
nice. but, I don't think they used jatoba in Japan for a traditional tanto. but, its sucha lovely wood.
 
Thanks Keith, I'm enjoying making this one. I forgot to mention that this was forged from some of Aldo's 1084.

Chugokujin, you are correct. Traditionaly Ho wood was used but Jatoba is a lovely wood that should compliment the copper fittings.
 
I love the blade shape! Can't wait!
May I have it when it's completed? :)
 
Thanks Lycosa, it doesen't belong to anybody yet but because of the amount of detail I want to include I think its going to be a bit on the expencive side.

More pictures
Forging the Machigane 12/2
12-9001.jpg


Rough drawing 12/8
12-9002.jpg


Habaki fitted to the blade 12/9
12-9003.jpg


Habaki ready to be soldered... waiting for the propane tank to warm up.
12-9004.jpg


The planned style of tsuba but with a different lip and surface design.
025-moko-shaped-armorers.jpg


Back to the shop i go...
 
Great progress! You might want to keep that one! If you don't, that's ok, too. ;)
Tnx for the update!
 
Thanks John.
Lycosa my next two knives are going to be a pair of traditional tantos using the tamahagane I've made; I going to keep one for myself. So this one is definitely going to be for sale.

I realized the problem with soldering my habaki, I'm remaking the machigane tomorrow.
 
I was trying to keep the machigane completely inside the habaki rather than allowing a small amount to "stick out" from the bottom.
 
Remade the machigane and soldered the habaki, It slides on relativly easy but still fits tight. It sill needs some minor adjustments before I file it the final shape.

12-10001.jpg

Soldering

12-10002.jpg

12-10003.jpg

Shows where the machigane meets the blade.
 
While I was grinding I lost the habaki but I'm gonna take it as a sign to redo the habaki... there was a small crack on the top that was bothering me so I might as well. Progress is going to be delayed for a few days. :(
 
Apparently my idea of a few days needs some improvement. I remade the habaki twice now because neither of the other two were up to my standards. I have the general shape of the habaki done but it still needs a lot of work.

habaki3001.jpg

My biggest mistake on the habaki(so far?), a small gap where you can see the solder. :(
habaki3002.jpg

habaki3003.jpg

A picture of the ito, ray skin, copper, and jatoba (one end oiled) to show how they look together.
habaki3004.jpg


I'm also planning on two pure silver menuki, hopefully it will look good. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the kind words fellas. I think I'm going to finish the habaki tomorrow morning after class.
 
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