I would not begrudge Nathan and Jo $2,000 for a really nice notakatana in D3V, but I would also be out at that price point. The spirit is willing, but the wallet is weak.
Honestly, if it's at a price point I can manage, this is one of my priority CPK acquisitions for the next year or two, and I might ask Ben Tendick if he's willing to do a remount on the blade with a cord wrap over rayskin and mekugi.
All stated things in that post are only my opinion. Im not Nathan or Jo and Im not part of their crew, Im just random dude being around with my good and bad sides.
Only purpose of this whole thread was to show interest in numbers, to give facts to Nathan and crew, and it is still up to their decision when they will start this project, sooner or later. Also its up to them what dimensions will they give to it and for how much they will sell it.
Now about my post yo quoted and pricing. That was only my opinion about fair price for one sword (in that dimensions) made by CPK, maybe when they will start this project they will decide to sell for cheaper (like with K18) but again in my opinion their Notta-Katana will be worth of minimum 1500 (still I would say 1500 is hell of cheap for it), fair price would be around 2000 (and I will explain why) and price which I would still pay for one can be 2500. But it totally up to their decision and Im not trying to suggest selling price or something like that, I just don't have much stuff to do and decided to write my opinion based on research I've done.
Well yeah even 1500 isnt cheap for some people but hey it's Japanese style sword by CPK, pre-order only (this is not a fact also, just my opinion, like K18 was made pre-order only) this means they wont make that pattern again in future. And it's 22" piece of D3V!! I've talked with many makers recently, I've checked many maker works/prices lately and here is what I can tell you:
Dan Keffeler "I’m not taking orders because I can’t estimate delivery dates at this time. My swords are currently priced between $4600-10,000"
Ben Tendick "I’m not taking orders. Something like that is closer to $3500"
Sam (
Mecha) from
Madsienceforge "I do accept orders, most swords are made to order. The base price of a full-on hilted sword is around 5000." (tho he doesn't make blades from 3V and is working with Titanium, still he does some awesome blades)
These are costum makers, but also
Miller Bros. Blades ask for their M-3 Wakizashi styled blade which is 16" in length $2100 and they aren't taking orders + they aren't going to make any Wakizashis or Katanas for next 6 minimum (their Wakizashis were being sold for 2500ish and Katanas for lot more)
Now I must also admit that
Dan Keffeler,
Ben Tendick and
Mecha (
Madsienceforge) are working by hand that means every their work is done/grinded or even forged (in case of
Madsienceforge) by hand and CPK's are milled on CNC machines, so CNC machine makes stuff easier compared to working by hand. I don't really know how
Miller Bros. Blades work (with CNC or hand) but all I can say that their works are bit overpriced if they work by CNC (tho I was told that Z-Wear PM is hard to grind, harder than 3V) but anyways
Miller Bros. Blades are closer to CPK with fit and finish but still they are overpriced a bit in my honest opinion (for example their sword M-3 with 16" blade is sold for $2100).
I must also say that
Dan Keffeler,
Ben Tendick prices are fair considering two facts: 1)their work is done by hand and 2)fit and finish, they dress their blades in traditionalish style. They wrapped their handles in traditional japanese style with Ito (cord) and they also do inlays if required, also hand-made tsuba (handguard) and they use terotuf as saya (scabbard) wrappped with carbon fibber. That is why their blades are worth of several thousands of dollars.
Also I must stay about
Mecha (
Madsienceforge) despite the fact that he works with Titanium not 3V, still his blades have some nice properties and he has done collabs with Dan Keffeler and he knows how to make right geometry blades for his Titanium. Also when I've quoted him saying that his swords run around 5000 important fact there is that it is for "
full-on hilted" sword, in style of
Dan and
Ben(that means full traditional handle with scabbard). and for simple built/dressed sword he takes less money of course (for records "Machetes at a blade length of 20” and 8” handle are usually less than 1k. They are simply way less complicated to make than a fully-hilted sword!")
Lastly I must say a word or two about
Carothers Performance Knives. Nathan, Jo and crew deserve huge respect and love for their work. They make amazing blades of amazing quality in every term cheaper than other makers on the market. CPM 3V with costum special voodoo heat-treat, awesome geometry and amazing ergos with great retention sheaths and unreal edge abilities (edge holding, toughness and virtually stainless steel).
They had K-18 pre-order for $1200, it is insane in my opinion, double-edged sword with 18" blade for USD 1200 is cheap AF. Nobody will ever make same sword with same quality for same price!
Have a nice day.
Forgive me if I did anything wrong.
Stay healthy and stay sharp.
Much love and respect to whole CPK crew and people here.