John Smith Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Well I am in the process of polishing this blade which is a Shobu Zukuri katana. It is W-2 with an OVL of 36" with a nagasa of 27 1/4" and a nakago of 8 3/4" the blade is just under 3/8" at the mune machi and just over 3/8" at the ko-shinogi yes I said it the blade actually tapers out at the kissaki so it is tip heavy this is for the cutters out there who want a blade that actually follows thru. The motohaba is just under 1 3/8" tapering in to around 1 1/8" at the kissaki / Yokote area. Tha hamon is a, or was supposed to be an O-Choji but the clay and blade had other ideas and it sort of turned in to a wild choji-midare, to me the hamon is fantastic. And as far as I am concerned the humidity helped, as I have fixed that problem, less water to compensate for the rise in moisture. I am actually at a point to start the habaki and Shira-Saya. So I will be posting pictures on that as well. So here are the pictures let me know what yours and gals think Comments Welcome Edited August 22, 2009 by mod07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 that's beautiful! Is this your First? how about the tusba? are you goning to try to make one? did you etch to bring out the habuchi? or is that from the polishing? I'm slowly working my way up to that, need to make a few more knife blades first...:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Well Chad This is not my first and I hope not my last. I am still polishing the blade, and the habuchi is very present. I am going to mount this blade in Shira-Saya. I do not have the time not patience to do fittings. So I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCristo Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 It's looking great. How high of a grit are you going with the polishing on that? Do you buff it on top of that with compounds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 I plan to go as far as I can with the stones that I have, but will end up using a hybrid approach on the polish, I will do a quick etch in ferric to bring out the more subtle aspects of the hamon, and then do a nugui rub on the blade. I never buff my blades ever as this takes from the beauty of the work done up to that point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I opened this thread and my first reaction was "OH MY!" Thank you for sharing your work with us. I feel priviledged to see your blade at this stage. Charlotte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks Charlotte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 if you said that was your first i was going to be very jealous.... that is very nice. Chad J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 LOL Chad no I am rather slow and methodical about things and do not jump into forging unless I am comfortable with it. So I have been forging smaller Japanese blades for two years and Katana's have been the last year. I have been forging for 5 years total, I spent alot of time reading Jims book The complete Bladesmith. SO learning steel and most importantly what steels that I wanted to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I have been forging for 5 years total... Very nice work, thank you very much for sharing. In case you are interested, Cascade Maryland is less than 32 miles from the Carroll County Farm Museum where the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland meets and does blacksmithing activities. There are several members of the guild that specialize in knifemaking, and a growing number of members seem to be specializing in blade work. A few years ago I had the pleasure and privilege of attending a pattern-welding/bladesmithing course taught by Rob Hudson ABA Master Bladesmith http://swordforum.com/summer99/robhudson.html at the guild's school. You are certainly welcome if you are so inclined to visit and/or join. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollow Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Wow! That is amazing. Can you give me some tips on what I need to make one cause I'm interrested in making some when I get all of my equipment for my Forge area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Wow sorry guys been away for a bit. Thanks for the comments and Hollow to make a Japanese style blade you need to start small. There are several books out on forging knives. And yes I could tell you but we wouldbe here for ever so As your questions and I shall answer. But experience is yourbest teacher. All I can do is show you the path. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Beautiful hamon. Kinda like looking at the horizon... One day I would like to make some Japanese blades, my experience is ever growing, Im sure im not far from the start of the path but I need the virtue of patience which eludes me at present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoboshi Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 That is very nice work. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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