Japanese inspired. Blackwater Tanto WIP

[tomsm44]

If that's you being kinda rusty, be sure to post a picture when you finally do a good job on one.  Goes great with the blade.  Can't wait to see the finished product.

Matt

[Ibitengu]

Wow. Insanely beautiful!

[D.Ellis]

Thanks guys,
Got the handle shaped and sanded and the spacer done today, but forgot to take any pics. I still need to lathe turn a pommel nut and do a bit of last minute touch up stuff so I'll try and snap some pics tomorrow. Final assembly tomorrow afternoon if all goes well.  
Darcy  

[Izzy]

Your something else. You are a gifted craftsman.

[Doug Campbell]

More please...        

[D.Ellis]

Turning the pommel nut.
 

Pile O' Parts. Pretty much ready for assembly.

 

Will post pics of the finished knife tonight.
Darcy  

[tomsm44]

Awesome.  You guys on here are making me really rethink my taste in knives.  I was never a huge fan of bowies, 'tactical' knives, or Japanese style knives before.  Simple hunters/skinners with pretty wood, bone, or antler for me.  Then I started watching the bowies coming from the shops of Lin, Karl, Doug, Matt, and yourself, and the itch hit me.  Built my first bowie back before Christmas.  Then Ben started posting all of his tactical styled knives and hawks and as hard as I tried not to like the drab g10 and kydex, I now have a hankering to order some coyote brown CeraKote and g10 for a sensible sized tactical hunter.  That leaves the Japanese style............

Matt Toms

[D.Ellis]

Thanks Matt. I am fond of a wide variety of knife styles. I have my favorites for specific uses, but can see the beauty in everything from daggers to kerambits and everything in between. I have not made very many Japanese inspired blades, but it is fun to learn what makes these other styles tick, and try to incorporate that into my own meager attempts. Variety makes for more interesting bladesmithing.    


Here're a couple pics of the knife. I will do some close detail shots when I get the sheath done.

 

 

The domed copper pin on the side of the handle is for indexing. Because the handle is symmetrical, it would be impossible to tell from feel if the edge is up or down. The pin lets you feel which way the blade is oriented in your hand without having to look.
Specs are;
Blade- 9 inches guard to tip, 112 layer random. 15n20 and 1084.
Copper spacer and pin.
Handle is stabilized birch burl.
Overall length is 14 1/4"
Weight is 13oz

I hope I have captured a bit of the Japanese flavor in this blade. Comments and criticism are welcome.

Darcy  

[tomsm44]

Looks great.  It's obvious at first glance that it has Japanese influence.  It's also obvious at first glance that it's not a 100% traditional Japanese blade, but the characteristics that you chose incorporate from the different styles work really well with each other in my opinion.  Makes for a great looking blade.  I hate to be picky, but could you post a picture with the tip more toward the camera?  I'd like to see how the engraving on the gaurd and the blade finish work together now that it's finished.

Well done,
Matt

[D.Ellis]

Originally posted by tomsm44:
Looks great.  It's obvious at first glance that it has Japanese influence.  It's also obvious at first glance that it's not a 100% traditional Japanese blade, but the characteristics that you chose incorporate from the different styles work really well with each other in my opinion.  Makes for a great looking blade.  I hate to be picky, but could you post a picture with the tip more toward the camera?  I'd like to see how the engraving on the gaurd and the blade finish work together now that it's finished.

Well done,
Matt

Thanks Matt,
I will post up some pics from that angle and much closer soon........just want to get the sheath done first. Stay tuned.  
Darcy

[Steve Nuckels]

Darcy.....

That is fantastic! Impressive!

A great project and very well done!

Anxious to see the whole project.

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

[Alexander13]

I've been following this and waiting, and WOW! That is awesome, very nice!  Thanks for taking the time to document and post the process.
Joel

[hvyhitter]

That is one great looking knife!!!!!!

[Lin Rhea]

I've enjoyed seeing your work Darcy! This one is so nice in several ways. Thank you for sharing your skills. Excellent!

[akaboomer]

Very beautiful on many levels.  I especially like the way you incorporated the koi. I really appreciate you taking the time to document and share your work.

Chris

[James Oertel]

outstanding !what a special knife . great job

[D.Ellis]

Thanks much guys. Here are a few more detail pics.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Darcy

[Doug Campbell]

Very nice Darcy, one to be proud of for sure.        

[bculberson]

Took more than a couple afternoons to whip that one up eh?

Well done!

[D.Ellis]

Thanks guys.
bculberson, Yup, a bit more......just need to figure out how to whip one of these out per week and my get rich quick scheme will be well under way. They say the best way to end up with a million dollars by knife making is simply to start with 2 million    :p      :D    
Darcy