Japanese style handles and custom knives

[Cottontail Customs]

Very nice work Josh Marlan! The waist is beautifully done and the diamonds are very even. I love how the silk curls over the hishigame.. very clean looking.
Do you carve away part of the tsuka core for the knots and if so, how do you depress the samegawa into the depression while it's drying?

Thank you Stuart. I do carve a notch in the end of both sides of the tsuka to allow for the knot to sit at a less obtrusive position and also to make the tying of the knots a little easier to do. the depth of the notch depends on the type of kashira used. I wad a piece of paper and I place it in the depression and tie it down tightly with ito while the glued samegawa dries.

 

[Lorien]

Here is a nice example of J.D.'s Japanese knife art.
This is a page from Steven's article "Knife People" from
my book "The World of Art Knives" (2010).

I think the J.D.'s work speaks for itself...

These are a "Yioroi Toshi" dagger and a "Tanto" Fighter

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

one of the most looked at pages of a book which is getting worn out from getting looked at

 

[SBranson]

Thanks for the tip Josh!

Lorien, that carved handle is one of my favourites. The mounting of that tanto is stunning.

 

[Mike Davis]

Fantastic work for sure! I can see myself enlisting your services in the near future. Great thread!!!