Dawson Dark Knight Wakizashi
Mar 16, 2011 15:53:17 GMT
Post by Larry Jordan on Mar 16, 2011 15:53:17 GMT
Dawson Dark Knight Wakizashi
Introduction
Dec 2009: It was late in the afternoon on a Sunday and I had just managed to make it to the final day of the big year end Crossroads of West Gun Show here in Phoenix. I had some Christmas shopping left to do and thought, "What could it hurt to see what last minute deals desperate sellers would be offering to avoid carting their wares back home?" I spied Barry Dawson looking disappointed. I drifted in his direction when I noticed that he was sharing his table with his niece Lynn's husband Dennis Cook. Dennis had displayed a simple and elegant series of field and fighting knives. It wasn't long before I had closed the deal on a 5" fixed blade made out of 5160 blackened steel.
As I was preparing to pay, Barry slid over and before I knew it, I was holding the sheath of a very long knife, no ... sword. The black sheath boasted a belt peg like many bowie sheaths. I drew the blade and discovered it was made from the same 5160 blackened spring steel as the field knife I was buying. It reminded me of one of Lynn's fantasy swords with jimping and sculpted handle, but dimensionally everything was bigger. As my brother-in-law would say, "They saw you coming."
Historical overview
The Dark Knight is a confluence of two styles: Japanese wakizashi and American bowie. It's a wakizachi in length, blade geometry and spirit. But it sports a bowie style sheath and other subtleties as you will soon see.
Full Disclosure
I own a number of Dawson swords, but do not work for Dawson Knives.
--Dawson Dark Knight (DK)
--Dawson Millenium Wak (MW)
--Dawson Millenium Kat (MK)
--Lynn Dawson 5 ¼” Draco
--Lynn Dawson 3” Eclipse
--Lynn Dawson 3” Scorpio
--Dennis Cook 5 ½” Diamondback
--Dennis Cook 4” Cherokee
Initial Impressions
It’s black with a visible hard line, employing Barry’s proprietary “heat treat.” Apart from any confusion I may have momentarily experienced from the blending of styles, I quickly concluded that this was a sword that I could actually carry, unlike a traditional katana with uncomfortably large tsuba. I could tuck the custom fitted and black leather sheath under the belt just like a bowie.
But would I really carry this? It’s highly unlikely that I would choose it for every day carry in place of a simple folder with clothing clip. Something exceptional would have to occur--a TEOTWAWKI scenario--then a highly portable sword in the form factor of a Wak might seriously be considered. Cool-factor rocks. Gotta have it.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 21"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 8"
Overall Length: 29 1/8"
Blade Width: 1/4"
Guard/Tsuba Width: No guard
POB (Point of Balance): 3 1/8"
COP (Center of Percussion): Not measured
Weight: 1 lb, 14 1/8 oz (with sheath 2 lb, 6 oz)
Components
Blade
Hard line
Jimping and climbing vine work
“Sword breaker” notch
Micarta handle and linen wrap
The customary approach for all the swords in this line -- DK(top), MW(middle), MK(bottom)
Pommel
Sheath
The leather sheath fits the sword like a glove. The mouth of the sheath covers the first 1 1/2" of the handle, right where the linen wrap beings, for a secure fit. Carries fairly flat against the body due to the absence of a guard.
Handling Characteristics
Not as nimble as the MW which has a slightly better POB is due to the DK's shorter handle. Draws like a big knife (it’s only 21”) unlike a full length katana.
Conclusions
It’s an impressive piece. The 5160 high carbon spring steel breeds confidence. Barry had been using 440C stainless with his proprietary heat treat without any issues, but explained to me that 440C stock was getting hard to find. I’m still trying to warm up to the knife-like handle. I would have preferred a more traditional tsuka shape. Although it is long enough for two hands, it's shorter than the MW. I absolutely love the fitted leather sheath with brass peg for belt carry, western style. As a matter of fact, I like it so much I’m tempted to have Barry make me the same sheath for the MW. The DK's subdued treatment throughout—black sheath, black micarta handle, black blade, make for a potentially stealthy package.
Pros
=off the chart cool factor
=exquisitely shaped blade
=5160 high carbon spring steel
=portable package
=fitted leather sheath with brass peg
Cons
=non-traditional tsuka shape
The Bottom Line
Would the Dark Knight hang this from his utility belt? Yeah!
But he'd eschew the AR, even if suppressed.
Introduction
Dec 2009: It was late in the afternoon on a Sunday and I had just managed to make it to the final day of the big year end Crossroads of West Gun Show here in Phoenix. I had some Christmas shopping left to do and thought, "What could it hurt to see what last minute deals desperate sellers would be offering to avoid carting their wares back home?" I spied Barry Dawson looking disappointed. I drifted in his direction when I noticed that he was sharing his table with his niece Lynn's husband Dennis Cook. Dennis had displayed a simple and elegant series of field and fighting knives. It wasn't long before I had closed the deal on a 5" fixed blade made out of 5160 blackened steel.
As I was preparing to pay, Barry slid over and before I knew it, I was holding the sheath of a very long knife, no ... sword. The black sheath boasted a belt peg like many bowie sheaths. I drew the blade and discovered it was made from the same 5160 blackened spring steel as the field knife I was buying. It reminded me of one of Lynn's fantasy swords with jimping and sculpted handle, but dimensionally everything was bigger. As my brother-in-law would say, "They saw you coming."
Historical overview
The Dark Knight is a confluence of two styles: Japanese wakizashi and American bowie. It's a wakizachi in length, blade geometry and spirit. But it sports a bowie style sheath and other subtleties as you will soon see.
Full Disclosure
I own a number of Dawson swords, but do not work for Dawson Knives.
--Dawson Dark Knight (DK)
--Dawson Millenium Wak (MW)
--Dawson Millenium Kat (MK)
--Lynn Dawson 5 ¼” Draco
--Lynn Dawson 3” Eclipse
--Lynn Dawson 3” Scorpio
--Dennis Cook 5 ½” Diamondback
--Dennis Cook 4” Cherokee
Initial Impressions
It’s black with a visible hard line, employing Barry’s proprietary “heat treat.” Apart from any confusion I may have momentarily experienced from the blending of styles, I quickly concluded that this was a sword that I could actually carry, unlike a traditional katana with uncomfortably large tsuba. I could tuck the custom fitted and black leather sheath under the belt just like a bowie.
But would I really carry this? It’s highly unlikely that I would choose it for every day carry in place of a simple folder with clothing clip. Something exceptional would have to occur--a TEOTWAWKI scenario--then a highly portable sword in the form factor of a Wak might seriously be considered. Cool-factor rocks. Gotta have it.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 21"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 8"
Overall Length: 29 1/8"
Blade Width: 1/4"
Guard/Tsuba Width: No guard
POB (Point of Balance): 3 1/8"
COP (Center of Percussion): Not measured
Weight: 1 lb, 14 1/8 oz (with sheath 2 lb, 6 oz)
Components
Blade
Hard line
Jimping and climbing vine work
“Sword breaker” notch
Micarta handle and linen wrap
The customary approach for all the swords in this line -- DK(top), MW(middle), MK(bottom)
Pommel
Sheath
The leather sheath fits the sword like a glove. The mouth of the sheath covers the first 1 1/2" of the handle, right where the linen wrap beings, for a secure fit. Carries fairly flat against the body due to the absence of a guard.
Handling Characteristics
Not as nimble as the MW which has a slightly better POB is due to the DK's shorter handle. Draws like a big knife (it’s only 21”) unlike a full length katana.
Conclusions
It’s an impressive piece. The 5160 high carbon spring steel breeds confidence. Barry had been using 440C stainless with his proprietary heat treat without any issues, but explained to me that 440C stock was getting hard to find. I’m still trying to warm up to the knife-like handle. I would have preferred a more traditional tsuka shape. Although it is long enough for two hands, it's shorter than the MW. I absolutely love the fitted leather sheath with brass peg for belt carry, western style. As a matter of fact, I like it so much I’m tempted to have Barry make me the same sheath for the MW. The DK's subdued treatment throughout—black sheath, black micarta handle, black blade, make for a potentially stealthy package.
Pros
=off the chart cool factor
=exquisitely shaped blade
=5160 high carbon spring steel
=portable package
=fitted leather sheath with brass peg
Cons
=non-traditional tsuka shape
The Bottom Line
Would the Dark Knight hang this from his utility belt? Yeah!
But he'd eschew the AR, even if suppressed.