Sorry. Can't pick on MS Tony any more so it fell to you. Or, you could send me something nicer than he did and then you'd be my new best buddy and I could pick on @Tclem again.
Sorry I aren't as edumecated as you you Henry!
Wooden Katana
- Thread starter Kevin
- Start date
I can do that, I've got gooder lookin' pine than he does, I'll send you a bunch if it! Tony
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #45
His dad wouldn't want to too.
Sorry I aren't as edumecated as you you Henry!
It's edumacated! Dang Tony you making us Texians looking more worser.
Maybe that's how y'all North Texans spell it, but down here A's are in short supply.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #47
I got about 2 hours in on it. I haven't named it yet because I haven't gotten the tamashii of the project yet (I had to look that up). I've always named things that are important to me, or not at all important to me, or anything in between. I haven't named it yet. It yet again by explanation, meaning I don't know what sex it is even yet but I get the feeling it's a male sword . . . . .
The blade warped on me so I had to place some weight on it for 3 days. It's just about perfectly straight again but I don't know if it'll want to go back to being crooked . . .
I wanted to use a holly handle (tsuka) but the only piece of holly I had long enough is a 14" pepper mill blank which I'm not willing to sacrifice for a toy sword, so I grabbed this piece of unknown - I believe it's sycamore . . .
After a lot of hand sanding the handle began to take shape......
Oh I did taper the tang before fitting it to the handle . . .
Started working on the guard (tsuba). I intially made a snakewood guard out of primo stuff, but it just didn't look right so I went with ringed gidgee . . .
That off center tenon is going to accept the collar (fuchi) which I have yet to decide on a species - maybe more ringed gidgee. I'm also going to incorporate some kind of attempt at a menuki (ornamental design on the butt of the handle) so that should probably be riged gidgee to balance the color of the handle. But of course the handle will be mostly invisible once wrapped, which is why I didn't opt for a highly figured piece of wood for it. This is my last day of crappy pictures hopefully I'll get into town and pick up a new phone today.
I don't have the handle and blade lined up properly here, and I have not finished sharpening it yet (I cut myself with it already) but you get an idea of the blade thickness . . .
The blade warped on me so I had to place some weight on it for 3 days. It's just about perfectly straight again but I don't know if it'll want to go back to being crooked . . .
I wanted to use a holly handle (tsuka) but the only piece of holly I had long enough is a 14" pepper mill blank which I'm not willing to sacrifice for a toy sword, so I grabbed this piece of unknown - I believe it's sycamore . . .
After a lot of hand sanding the handle began to take shape......
Oh I did taper the tang before fitting it to the handle . . .
Started working on the guard (tsuba). I intially made a snakewood guard out of primo stuff, but it just didn't look right so I went with ringed gidgee . . .
That off center tenon is going to accept the collar (fuchi) which I have yet to decide on a species - maybe more ringed gidgee. I'm also going to incorporate some kind of attempt at a menuki (ornamental design on the butt of the handle) so that should probably be riged gidgee to balance the color of the handle. But of course the handle will be mostly invisible once wrapped, which is why I didn't opt for a highly figured piece of wood for it. This is my last day of crappy pictures hopefully I'll get into town and pick up a new phone today.
I don't have the handle and blade lined up properly here, and I have not finished sharpening it yet (I cut myself with it already) but you get an idea of the blade thickness . . .
The photo of the Katana in the sky is awesome Kevin - very cool.
Wonder what style Tsuba you're going to do?
I imagine it won't be square to avoid confusion with the urban legend of Ninjato.
Wonder what style Tsuba you're going to do?
I imagine it won't be square to avoid confusion with the urban legend of Ninjato.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #50
I'm not familiar with Ninjato. I was going to cut a captive star into the tsuba and have the blade come through that star but the curl in the gidgee begs to be left alone. I think I'll cut a captive star in a practice piece and see what I think.
Being wood, I imagine too delicate and it might break easily.
Here's a nice simple design that would be strong (hope I'm not meddling):
From the Late Edo period around 1850. Shakudo fukurin (outer rim) could be ebony, etc.
I think it's cool you're doing a Katana.
Here's a nice simple design that would be strong (hope I'm not meddling):
From the Late Edo period around 1850. Shakudo fukurin (outer rim) could be ebony, etc.
I think it's cool you're doing a Katana.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #53
not meddling at all. I been looking at designs for days. gonna ay with the star tonite or tomorrow. having a new problem now will post a thread about it later
The warping of the blade is one of the reasons I came up with the lamination idea. I knew as thin as I wanted to get it that there was that chance. Coming along very nicely.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #56
I don't think I will make the deadline. I worked on it again today for the first time since I last posted, but the Tsuba has given me so much hell today I am discouraged. Back-orders be damned I used 4 hours of my life to try and get it like I want and I am not even close. I'm using hand techniques not cheats, so it is very discouraging thus far. I'm going to give it the old college try again right now though. My wife says I'm being too anal just because I lived in Japan and that I can hide my mistakes. Well, yeah. I am being anal because I don't hide mistakes I redo them trying to mimic a Japanese craftsman. I expect perfection from myself but don't have the skill they do. Let's see what happens anyway - I haven't given up yet .......
Your not the only one worrying about deadline, I've been so busy with everything else at the shop that the parts have sat on my desk and mocked me every day.
Are you sure she wasn't just saying you're an ass?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #60
Are you sure she wasn't just saying you're an ass?
Probably.