1095 Katana WIP

[ApprenticeMan]

Got the 1095 katana I had worked down from the big 3/8ths barstock from Aldo (thanks to Dick Sargent at Peter's Valley for letting me use the hammer) all ground, just have a little touch up work to go then it is ready for heat treat.

It is not really as shiny as it looks in the first picture.

Stats so far:
overall length: 34"
blade length: 27 3/4"
width at ha-machi (shoulder): 1 1/2"
width at yokote (tip): 3/4"
thickness at base of blade: a hair over 3/16"
thickness at yokote (tip): 1/8"

Straight now, gonna let it get all it's curve from the quench.

[ApprenticeMan]

more photos

[RainsFire]

cool, you going to finish it .. please do

looks great so far

[ApprenticeMan]

Here is some better overall shots, could barely make out any kind of shape in that first picture.

[LDW]

It looks great and has a clean line. You mentioned heat treat, what will you heat treat it in? I messed up and told a fellow I would make a machete for him that is 37" long. I guess I will heat treat it using a propane forge and a torch at the same time. The holes for the handle have been drilled and the next step I need to do is heat treat. This thing is massive and I am lost on getting the whole thing hot.
LDW

[ApprenticeMan]

LDW, I will be building a 55 gallon drum heat treating forge designed by Don Fogg:

Don Fogg Custom Knives

Very simple, a burner pointed into a refractory lined 55 gallon drum. Much easier to hold an even temperature in a large area than in a small (like a regular forge), and they use less gas than you would think due to the efficiency of the refractory (just plain 2 inch refractory wool). Use a cheap thermocouple or infrared thermometer (or a magnet) to find the right temperature.

[Frosty]

Looking good Sam.

Frosty

[ApprenticeMan]

Thanks Frosty!

[Bentiron1946]

Nice looking blade! Now where is the rest of the accourtements?:

[Jan]

I just hope you rounded shoulders well,otherwise its big stress point,not to mention proper annealing before heat treating.Anyway,good luck!