Dawson Millennium Wakizashi
Oct 17, 2010 19:25:14 GMT
Post by Larry Jordan on Oct 17, 2010 19:25:14 GMT
Dawson Millennium Wakizashi
Introduction
I’d been buying knives from Barry Dawson and his niece Lynn for several years when in a moment of weakness in the late ‘90s, I purchased this “tactical” wakizashi, a hollow ground sword in 440C, one of his millennium series. You read that right—440C stainless steel.
Historical overview
It’s a modern rendering of a wakizashi but with a longer handle. No traditional furniture survives—no tsuba or any of the other mountings. The carry system is also modern—a kydex sheath with slots for securing the weapon either in/on your belt or on your pack.
Full Disclosure
I have no affiliation with Dawson Knives.
Initial Impressions
The first thing that struck me about this sword was its unparalleled symmetry. The yokote, the discontinuity where the flat of the kissaki meets the rest of the blade, is not cosmetically created. If one flips the blade over, the yokote on the opposite side is identically positioned. How on earth? Was this computer controlled?
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 20.75”
Handle/Tsuka Length: 8.5”
Overall Length: 29.25”
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2”
POB (Point of Balance): 3”
COP (Center of Percussion): (Hard to tell)
Weight: 1lb, 15 1/8 oz
Components
The blade is made from heat-treated 440C stainless steel, Dawson’s trade secret. Edge hardness "is 56-57 Rockwell with a slightly softer core (2-4 points less)."
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade is ground with a visible discontinuity (yokote) between the kissaki and the rest of the blade.
The mune tapers to a point which, when viewed from above, extends from about an 1.5" forward of the guard to the tip. This leaves a ricasso of 1.5” in length which Dawson has used in lieu of an habaki for securing the blade in a wooden sheath. The edge is formed with a secondary bevel. And the edge is very sharp. (I inadvertently cut my wife’s bed spread while admiring my first Dawson sword. A moment of inattention and I had allowed the kissaki to pierce the spread.)
The Handle/Tsuka
Its full tang is covered by two black linen micarta panels which have been shaped to produce a pleasing grip. It does not have the blockiness which is characteristic of inexpensive tactical knives and swords. The panels are wrapped in nylon (epoxied in place?), giving it the look and feel of a traditional tsuka. The linen micarta beneath is visible in the eyelets of the wrap pattern.
The Guard/Tsuba
In place of a tsuba are two quillions with jimping. Each quillion has an open hole drilled and beveled on the blade side ostensibly to trap an opponent’s blade. (I’ve seen some badly executed holes from one of Barry’s apprentices, Chissum. Not here.)
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
There are no fuchi or kashira. The pommel is formed by the tang and micarta panels which extend beyond the wrap.
The Scabbard/Saya
Instead of a wooden sheath (saya), a kydex sheath with holes/slots and tie downs is provided. The mouth of the sheath is shaped to enclose part of the handle and holds the blade securely in the sheath.
A wooden sheath can be purchased, but Dawson will need to retain the sword to custom fit it.
Handling Characteristics
The size and weight of the sword make it suitable for use with either one hand or two.
I find that the sword is substantial enough to be used with two hands.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I have only used the sword for “yard work”--to trim a cactus in the front yard of my home. Although the sword had no trouble with the succulant, it took me hours to remove the fine needles from my hands and forearms. ☹ Note to self: Respect the desert flora.
Conclusions
The millennium wakizashi is a work of art which I have spent untold hours handling and admiring. But I have resisted putting it to a serious test. (aside: this reluctance fueled my interest in finding a beater and discovering SBG). Would Dawson’s 440C handle it? There are numerous stories circling on the net which recount Barry impressing his customers with the ductility, flexibilty and hardness of his blades. I had to know first hand. A quick email to Barry expressing my concerns was rewarded with the following reply:
Hi Larry,
Good to hear from you, hope all is well.
You should have no trouble using your Katana for test cutting, they've been used for mat cutting for about 25 years now with great success. In fact I have a story I like to tell from one of my customers who is so many degrees a black belt, I'm not sure but he is very into martial arts and does cutting demonstrations all over the country. Anyway, a long time ago he had just received his new Katana from me and was in a great hurry to try it out so he took it down to his dojo and they set up some mats, which apparently were being held up but metal posts, similar to what is used with chain link fencing. Well he made his first cut, the sword went through the mat like it wasn't there and then lodged in the metal pole with a loud clang. He told me he felt sick to this stomach because he just knew he had ruined a $3000 sword he had waited years to get. There was dead silence from everybody else cause they were all thinking the same thing. So he dislodges the blade and can't believe it, there is no damage, no chipping, nothing. He was ecstatic, needless to say.
I'm certainly not recommending that you try this one out for yourself, but it's a great story and it does demonstrate the toughness of my blades. So good luck!
Barry
Pros
- impressive grind
- “tactical” affinity
- handle suited for one hand or two hand use
- enduring value (resale or trade)
Cons
-none
I might have listed “cost” as a con, but upon reflection I realized that the cost is an accurate reflection of value. (I do not remember what I paid. I got the sword in trade + little extra cash. I believe the original asking price may have been $800, but Barry is always ready to work with his returning clientele.)
The Bottom Line
If anyone is in the market for an exquisite piece of craftsmanship, any of the unique offerings of Dawson are worthy of your consideration.
Introduction
I’d been buying knives from Barry Dawson and his niece Lynn for several years when in a moment of weakness in the late ‘90s, I purchased this “tactical” wakizashi, a hollow ground sword in 440C, one of his millennium series. You read that right—440C stainless steel.
Historical overview
It’s a modern rendering of a wakizashi but with a longer handle. No traditional furniture survives—no tsuba or any of the other mountings. The carry system is also modern—a kydex sheath with slots for securing the weapon either in/on your belt or on your pack.
Full Disclosure
I have no affiliation with Dawson Knives.
Initial Impressions
The first thing that struck me about this sword was its unparalleled symmetry. The yokote, the discontinuity where the flat of the kissaki meets the rest of the blade, is not cosmetically created. If one flips the blade over, the yokote on the opposite side is identically positioned. How on earth? Was this computer controlled?
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 20.75”
Handle/Tsuka Length: 8.5”
Overall Length: 29.25”
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2”
POB (Point of Balance): 3”
COP (Center of Percussion): (Hard to tell)
Weight: 1lb, 15 1/8 oz
Components
The blade is made from heat-treated 440C stainless steel, Dawson’s trade secret. Edge hardness "is 56-57 Rockwell with a slightly softer core (2-4 points less)."
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade is ground with a visible discontinuity (yokote) between the kissaki and the rest of the blade.
The mune tapers to a point which, when viewed from above, extends from about an 1.5" forward of the guard to the tip. This leaves a ricasso of 1.5” in length which Dawson has used in lieu of an habaki for securing the blade in a wooden sheath. The edge is formed with a secondary bevel. And the edge is very sharp. (I inadvertently cut my wife’s bed spread while admiring my first Dawson sword. A moment of inattention and I had allowed the kissaki to pierce the spread.)
The Handle/Tsuka
Its full tang is covered by two black linen micarta panels which have been shaped to produce a pleasing grip. It does not have the blockiness which is characteristic of inexpensive tactical knives and swords. The panels are wrapped in nylon (epoxied in place?), giving it the look and feel of a traditional tsuka. The linen micarta beneath is visible in the eyelets of the wrap pattern.
The Guard/Tsuba
In place of a tsuba are two quillions with jimping. Each quillion has an open hole drilled and beveled on the blade side ostensibly to trap an opponent’s blade. (I’ve seen some badly executed holes from one of Barry’s apprentices, Chissum. Not here.)
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
There are no fuchi or kashira. The pommel is formed by the tang and micarta panels which extend beyond the wrap.
The Scabbard/Saya
Instead of a wooden sheath (saya), a kydex sheath with holes/slots and tie downs is provided. The mouth of the sheath is shaped to enclose part of the handle and holds the blade securely in the sheath.
A wooden sheath can be purchased, but Dawson will need to retain the sword to custom fit it.
Handling Characteristics
The size and weight of the sword make it suitable for use with either one hand or two.
I find that the sword is substantial enough to be used with two hands.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I have only used the sword for “yard work”--to trim a cactus in the front yard of my home. Although the sword had no trouble with the succulant, it took me hours to remove the fine needles from my hands and forearms. ☹ Note to self: Respect the desert flora.
Conclusions
The millennium wakizashi is a work of art which I have spent untold hours handling and admiring. But I have resisted putting it to a serious test. (aside: this reluctance fueled my interest in finding a beater and discovering SBG). Would Dawson’s 440C handle it? There are numerous stories circling on the net which recount Barry impressing his customers with the ductility, flexibilty and hardness of his blades. I had to know first hand. A quick email to Barry expressing my concerns was rewarded with the following reply:
Hi Larry,
Good to hear from you, hope all is well.
You should have no trouble using your Katana for test cutting, they've been used for mat cutting for about 25 years now with great success. In fact I have a story I like to tell from one of my customers who is so many degrees a black belt, I'm not sure but he is very into martial arts and does cutting demonstrations all over the country. Anyway, a long time ago he had just received his new Katana from me and was in a great hurry to try it out so he took it down to his dojo and they set up some mats, which apparently were being held up but metal posts, similar to what is used with chain link fencing. Well he made his first cut, the sword went through the mat like it wasn't there and then lodged in the metal pole with a loud clang. He told me he felt sick to this stomach because he just knew he had ruined a $3000 sword he had waited years to get. There was dead silence from everybody else cause they were all thinking the same thing. So he dislodges the blade and can't believe it, there is no damage, no chipping, nothing. He was ecstatic, needless to say.
I'm certainly not recommending that you try this one out for yourself, but it's a great story and it does demonstrate the toughness of my blades. So good luck!
Barry
Pros
- impressive grind
- “tactical” affinity
- handle suited for one hand or two hand use
- enduring value (resale or trade)
Cons
-none
I might have listed “cost” as a con, but upon reflection I realized that the cost is an accurate reflection of value. (I do not remember what I paid. I got the sword in trade + little extra cash. I believe the original asking price may have been $800, but Barry is always ready to work with his returning clientele.)
The Bottom Line
If anyone is in the market for an exquisite piece of craftsmanship, any of the unique offerings of Dawson are worthy of your consideration.