温故知新 (classical tanto project)

[islandblacksmith]

A true and accurate understanding of the past is an important step towards a good future. 温故知新 (on ko chi shin) is an expression that most directly translates to, "study the old to know the new". This blade began as a reclaimed piece of a damaged antique sword and was carefully hand forged in a charcoal fire, smoothed with files and a sen scraper, differentially hardened using traditional water quench yaki-ire, and polished by hand with natural Japanese water stones.

Materials for the chisagatana style koshirae mounting include Japanese hounoki wood for the handle and scabbard, copper bus bar for the habaki, reclaimed brass from the original mount for the fuchi and kojiri, forged brass kick plate for the kashira and seppa, black lacquered samegawa and kangaroo leather for the tsuka, lacquered steel for the mekugi, buffalo horn for the koiguchi and kurikata, and an iron spike salvaged from thirty feet under the Pacific for the tsuba. The saya is finished with ishime-ji (stone surface) made from natural urushi lacquer and tea leaves, the kurikata was carved from reclaimed horn button rescued from a vintage coat, and the sageo cord comes from an outdoor antique market in Kyoto.

Specifications
長さ/刃長 Nagasa: 11 sun 3 bu (341mm)
元幅 Motohaba: 8 bu 5 rin (25.5mm)
重ね/元重 Motokasane: 1 bu 5 rin (4.2mm)
反り Sori: uchizori
中心/茎 Nakago: 3 sun 6 bu (109mm)
柄長 Tsuka: 4 sun 5 rin (123mm)
拵全長 Koshirae: 18 sun (545mm)
形 Katachi: hira-zukuri, iori-mune
刃文 Hamon: hoso suguha
帽子/鋩子 Boshi: yakitsume
中心/茎 Nakago: futsu, suriage, one mekugi-ana, mumei
銘 Mei: mumei
拵 Koshirae: chisagatana, issaku

3.03022 cm = 0.1 shaku（尺） = 1 sun（寸） = 10 bu（分） = 100 rin（厘）

More photos and info: islandblacksmith.ca/2017/08/on-ko-chi-shin-tanto/

 

[islandblacksmith]

A few photos from various stages of the process:

Handmade softwood charcoal fueling the forge as the blade is heated for the hardening process of yaki-ire.

Subtle patterns in the hada of the steel are revealed as polishing progresses with natural Japanese waterstones.

A custom made tang shaped punch is used to create the opening in the iron tsuba.

Buffalo horn is carved and shaped to reinforce the scabbard and form the kurikata to hold the cord.

The tsuka is shaped and inlet for the samegawa panels.

The tsuka is ready for lacquering and the fittings are polished and patinated.

Wrapping the black lacquered samegawa in tomaki nihon kumiage zuka style.

The horn parts are polished and sealed with fukiurushi and then installed on the ishimeji lacquered saya.

More process photos and info: islandblacksmith.ca/2017/08/on-ko-chi-shin-tanto/

 

[john april]

really cool handle wrap. all of it looks excellent.

 

[Dawkind]

Always so precise and authentic....

 

[R APPLEBY]

Always so precise and authentic....

This

 

[JParanee]

Wonderful

 

[Steve Nuckels]

Love the way you present the W.I.P photos! Your skill sets are incredible!

Respectfully

Steve
--------------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
ABS AP (Forever)

 

[islandblacksmith]

a lovely film made by some talented folks...

In a forge on Vancouver Island, reclaimed steel is turned into tanto.


Directed, Photographed, and Edited by Trevor Komori
Location Sound: Sean Brouwer
B Camera Operator: Liam Leyland
Music Composed by Kurtis So
Production Assistants: Vivian Hu & Judy Zheng

still images | behind the scenes | making this tanto

 

[RayseM]

Dave, you immerse yourself in your projects and out comes perfection. I am always awed.

Thanks for sharing.

Ray

 

[braillediver]

In awe really. It's the imagination and skill not the tools.

Thanks for sharing it's greatly appreciated.

 

[john april]

always impressive !

 

[i4Marc]

Super impressed as I am with all your projects.

 

[Lapedog]

A true and accurate understanding of the past is an important step towards a good future. 温故知新 (on ko chi shin) is an expression that most directly translates to, "study the old to know the new". This blade began as a reclaimed piece of a damaged antique sword and was carefully hand forged in a charcoal fire, smoothed with files and a sen scraper, differentially hardened using traditional water quench yaki-ire, and polished by hand with natural Japanese water stones.

Materials for the chisagatana style koshirae mounting include Japanese hounoki wood for the handle and scabbard, copper bus bar for the habaki, reclaimed brass from the original mount for the fuchi and kojiri, forged brass kick plate for the kashira and seppa, black lacquered samegawa and kangaroo leather for the tsuka, lacquered steel for the mekugi, buffalo horn for the koiguchi and kurikata, and an iron spike salvaged from thirty feet under the Pacific for the tsuba. The saya is finished with ishime-ji (stone surface) made from natural urushi lacquer and tea leaves, the kurikata was carved from reclaimed horn button rescued from a vintage coat, and the sageo cord comes from an outdoor antique market in Kyoto.

Specifications
長さ/刃長 Nagasa: 11 sun 3 bu (341mm)
元幅 Motohaba: 8 bu 5 rin (25.5mm)
重ね/元重 Motokasane: 1 bu 5 rin (4.2mm)
反り Sori: uchizori
中心/茎 Nakago: 3 sun 6 bu (109mm)
柄長 Tsuka: 4 sun 5 rin (123mm)
拵全長 Koshirae: 18 sun (545mm)
形 Katachi: hira-zukuri, iori-mune
刃文 Hamon: hoso suguha
帽子/鋩子 Boshi: yakitsume
中心/茎 Nakago: futsu, suriage, one mekugi-ana, mumei
銘 Mei: mumei
拵 Koshirae: chisagatana, issaku

3.03022 cm = 0.1 shaku（尺） = 1 sun（寸） = 10 bu（分） = 100 rin（厘）

More photos and info: islandblacksmith.ca/2017/08/on-ko-chi-shin-tanto/

Outstanding work. You did a terrific job. There are few blades I find more beautiful than traditional nihon-to.

More like there are NO blades more beautiful. Some sabres can maybe come close but there is just something magical about the lines of a Japanese sword.