Yangdu Offers Himalayan Katana

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
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I'm hopeful a couple picts show. I'm in excess of the BF bytes... I'll come back later and post the right ones.

What do you do when you've carved dragons into a horn handle, etchings into the bolster and up and down the sheath in a nickle silver medium, and then leave the bolster/guard off 5 degrees from center? You blow out a 450.00 sword for 290.00

The carved handle is perfect. It is so well done I could not immediately say 'horn' or 'wood'; though the answer is horn. The wonderful sheath is also horn paneled, with consistant etchings of various Nepali wonderings from throat to tip. I haven't realized this before, but there are puns and strange juxapositions possible when describing tools and machinery....hmmmm.

The sword weighs 2 3/4 pounds and is 36.5" long. Spine 1/4" . Bura made it. I doubt very much he trusts one of his orderlies to do this work. Though HI's Himalayan Katana is not a 500 times-folded-metal Japanese Katana, it does have a certain line and grace to it, all its own. And it is hard to carry that eveness through the length of a sword unless you know what you're doing.

I should have taken before and after photos but did not. I trued the bolster best I could. The main work was done a couple weeks ago, but the final touches today. You could go crazy trying to 'line up" a bolster, anything else for that matter. A swipe here, and a swipe there on the belt sander, and you can go on until the moon sets...just one more time...honest. .Metal refinishing is something I'm familiar with because of the Ruger single actions I've altered. I like the final result, but it could be improved. It's better aligned now than my special ordered Tarwar, and probably many more of my own blades I've not bothered to look at through a magnifying glass.

I re-finished the bolster edge, a thick one, well over an 1/8", and thanks to the generous border of blank metal, did not have to touch the etchings on the front side. Using 400 grit the guard edge is now satin finished.

A nice blade.

Call or email Yangdu for blade. Don't call me; I'm looking for lost pictures...

SOLD!!

munk
 

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Here's a couple more shots. One shows the detail at the bottom of the sheath, outside the main worlk, still coming on strong.

munk
 

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I realize it's customary when a blade is being purchased for the entire item to be displayed....razzeum frazzem dignabbit I had some photos..honest. I'll go take some more.


munk
 
Lost the picts. Oh well...

The second photo shows the one bump or swell along the trim that made this a blem along with the bolster. Yangdu has a good eye. It would have taken me a while to find this.


munk
 

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It's sharp enough to cut my finger, but no; it's not sharp. As this is a new blade from HI to you I did not sharpen it. I applied a light film of oil to it is all.

As I'm posting the same pict twice it's evident to me I'm through for the evening on the Great Mystery of where the other photos went.

munk
 
ohhhhhh mannnnn what a deal!!!!!!!!
i have to resist though... im waiting for a standard model :(
i would grab it but i prefer the standard sheath vs. the decorative one :)
LOVE the carved handle though... :eek: i wonder how long this deal will last?

EDIT: SOMEBODY BUY IT!!!!! where are all the sharks? this would be a great addition to any collection...
ohhh my god!!! i have an email already drafted and im just one click away from sending it to yangdu :foot:
 
Would you sharpen it, if requested? I have a katana, kobra, and kerambit that I CANNOT seem to sharpen. It's not the knives it's me, but I get REALLY frustrated trying to sharpen something. GRRRRR
 
I would, Ted. I've improved over the years. But for that legendary, super sharp stuff, you should look elsewhere. There's nothing too hard a rockwell for me, but regardless of the metal, I reach a certain sharp and stop.
btw- I mostly use stones now, but the sandpaper paddle taught me a lot. You should try it.

munk
 
I'm satisfied with paper sharp, doesn't have to be shaving sharp for swords. I've tried sandpaper, stones, V-shaped thingies, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Just can't sharpen these three blades. If I wasn't saving for an Albion Vassal - Falchion I'd be all over this. If it's still around tomorrow I may change my mind. Thanks, btw.
 
Thank you for the help, Munk
 
LOL, I was weakening and probably would have ordered it later tonight. Thanks for the save!:D
 
Great sword at an awsome price. Someone should snach it up.


I am also saving for the Vassal Ted. :)
 
Ted, if you're like me at all, my problem was going too fast, and then in not accepting what I had. That's why I stop when I reach a certain sharpness- beyond paper; but it aint going to cut no scarf landing on it like in the movies!! As I work the khuks I'm where I should be: working edge.
There are some fanatical, dark and mysterious people here who will help you attain more sharpness if you ask them...beseech them; God knows if that's on a full moon under the Standing Stones with a beaker of your sister's purest tears...

munk
 
LOL, I was weakening and probably would have ordered it later tonight. Thanks for the save!:D

cant say its mine just yet... :o
HIKV has kicked in really bad already... this isnt helping :D
this is my bed (more khuks on the way... thats just the beginning)... im not allowed in the room with my khuks :grumpy:



EDIT: whew!, its sold and i didnt get it... right now i dont know how to feel... relieved but also sad lol.
 
Jaiofspam :

Stand down, stand down; the Katana went to a forumite faster this time than you.
Your blade is coming- they always find their owners. In the future.


munk
 
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