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Katana handle and modified Damascus blade

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Project by Ken Reed posted 252 days ago 827 views 1 time favorited 7 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This is the second in a series of Katana swords that I’ve been modifying for a client. The blade looked like plain steel when I started, with just a hint of the Damascus pattern that could only be detected with close inspection. I polished, etched, blued and polished again in order to expose the Damascus pattern. The mosaic inlays are standard fare from the knife making hobby. The purple heart, or amaranth as some call it, is very difficult to work due to it’s extreme hardness and interlocked grain. The handle is spalted big leaf Oregon maple.




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7 comments so far

View Jim Jakosh's profile

Jim Jakosh

7250 posts in 1272 days


#1 posted 252 days ago

Nice job on that old sword!............Jim

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!

View Dan'um Style's profile

Dan'um Style

10772 posts in 2150 days


#2 posted 252 days ago

Super precise work … awe inspiring … eye candy!

-- keeping myself entertained

View blackcherry's profile

blackcherry

2902 posts in 1990 days


#3 posted 252 days ago

Just a wonderful looking piece, the handle really compliments the blade. Client has to be trilled,well done..BC

View HillbillyShooter's profile (online now)

HillbillyShooter

1352 posts in 459 days


#4 posted 252 days ago

Truly outstanding—absolutely love your modification, even though it strays from traditional Japanese sword craft.

-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington

View BTKS's profile

BTKS

1919 posts in 1631 days


#5 posted 251 days ago

Nice work. I really like the accent of the damascus pattern. Oh, the handle is pretty eye catching as well.

-- "Man's ingenuity has outrun his intelligence" (Joseph Wood Krutch)

View Ken Reed's profile

Ken Reed

146 posts in 1351 days


#6 posted 251 days ago

Thanks for all the positive feedback! I had fun doing it, but, Jim, it’s a new sword, not an old one. The steel is made in Tibet of all places and it’s on par with the stuff I’ve seen come out of India, which is to say not top notch, but not terrible either. The Swedes make some great Damascus, but it’s very expensive.

HillbillyShooter: yeah, it’s definitely strays; think of it as a chopped and channeled ‘32 Ford hot rod. It’s just for fun.

I’m starting on a series of displays for some antique pistols for the same client, but haven’t decided on a design yet. We’ve discussed some possibilities and he’s pretty open so it should be fun.

View s_grifter's profile

s_grifter

165 posts in 634 days


#7 posted 241 days ago

very nice

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