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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Dec 6, 2017 19:15:49 GMT
I am looking for a decent tanto to gift my wife, though budget is limited, say 100$ to 140$ USD. She likes red and gold, so some form of those colors would be nice on it, either saya, sageo/ito, koshirae, though nothing too gaudy if posssible. I've been looking at Ebay, filtering free shipping, given most US based stores have 30$ + shipping fees to Canada. Thus. There are some I have found so far: Linky 1 DH, golden koshirae, no-hi, non-geometric yokote Linky 2 DH, says folded but doesn't look like it to me, Unobuki-zukuri, geometric yokote Linky 3 DH, bo-hi, non-geometric yokote Linky 4 1095, likely TH, Unobuki-zukuri Linky 5 DH, T10, Unobuki-zukuri, well, its silver and gold Any advices and suggestions are welcome. Extras, off parameters but nice: One Brown... Two Black... Three Folded Four Rosewood saya
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Dec 6, 2017 22:37:21 GMT
Of those, I like #2 best.
Does your wife have big chunky hands? Many tanto, including some you linked, have big chunky grips that are only really fit for big chunky hands. #2 looks on the fat side, but less so than many. I think some makers look at photos of Japanese tanto, and copy the shape of the tsuka, but when they make the tsuka 16cm long instead of 11cm, keeping the width in proportion, they end up with super-fat tsuka.
Ebay tanto tend to be wide-bladed, commonly about 32mm wide at the base. 32mm is IMO a good width for a tanto tsuka, and a tsuka that looks wide compared to a 32mm wide blade is too chunky. #3 has a 32mm blade, but the tsuka is only a little wider. If the blade is only about 25mm wide, then a tsuka that's significantly wider than the blade is fine (e.g., many Hanwei tanto). You can also look at the length. If the tsuka is 15-16cm, and doesn't look skinny for a tanto tsuka, it's too fat. If the tsuka is 11cm and looks like good tanto tsuka proportions, then the width is OK.
It's worth looking through KoA, especially the Hanwei tanto, since they give fairly comprehensive measurements. They don't list width of the tsuka, but they do list blade width (at the base). Note that their "grip length" usually doesn't include the fuchi and kashira, just the wrapped part between them.
I'd recommend 10-12cm long (IMO, you should be able to rest the butt against the heel of your hand for support in thrusting (in handshake grip), especially if there is no tsuba), 27-34mm wide, for average-sized adult male hands (palm breadth a little over 9cm). If your wife has much smaller hands, judge tsuka appropriately.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Dec 6, 2017 23:08:14 GMT
would you consider doing some slight modifying yourself? if so, you could get something like a Hanwei practical tanto and give the saya a coat of red. you could also buy a red or gold sageo for it and maybe even add a gold maki-e Mon sticker on the saya. this way, you get the colors she likes plus a blade worth building on now or upgrading in the future. maybe keep your eyes open for a slightly better but second hand tanto (like the practical pro or plus) on sale for a good price in the classifieds.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Dec 7, 2017 1:18:46 GMT
@timo - Ty for the recommendations on tsuka size, I didn't think of that. She has indeed small hands, I will get her to handle the katanas we have, see how confortable she is with these tsuka. Will go through KoA as you recommend.
@cottontail - I considered getting a bare blade (there's a few) and do the work myself, and though I never did tsukamaki before I wish to learn, so I guess a tanto tsuka would be a good start given the size. Still, then there is the saya to get on top of it, unless I get a shirasaya and build from there. I will think on it, could be a personal project for myself instead for a first try, since I don't want to screw up on a gift.
Getting a new sageo or painting the saya is good advice, certainly widen the options and certainly something I can do myself right now. Will look into it.
Thank you both for the counsels.
o7
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Dec 7, 2017 21:50:42 GMT
Well, unexpected income, so decided to thrown budget out the window and get a full katana to my other half, as promised when I got my own first two swords. Tanto will come later in 2018 and will fit wife's sword as a daisho, though if I can't find one that fits, well, I got time to learn working on koshirae and tsukamaki now. Will do a sword review after she receives the sword. Will definitely update the thread with the tanto review later next year. o7
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Oct 26, 2018 11:21:21 GMT
Update: One year later, I looked at all the options and decided: 'screw budget' and ordered a custom tanto from Sninosword (JKOO), to somewhat match the katana I got for her on Ebay for her birthday last year, only better and prettier (hopefully)
I talked to Mr. Kane and asked for a folded unobuki-zukuri blade with double bo-hi and midare hamon, cosmetic polish, with ornamented brass koshirae and a red saya to match her sword. Also, red same panels under black artificial silk that I intend to stain to a deep red-wine.
Icing on the cake was asking Mr. Kane to ship both the tanto and the custom iaito ordered for our son together to save shipping costs.
It ends a bit more expensive than the ones I initially found on Ebay but now I'm pretty much certain to have quality to offer. Keeping you gentlemen and ladies updated once I receive pictures of the finished product, will also do a review for the enjoyment of all.
o7
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Post by csills2313 on Oct 27, 2018 13:59:51 GMT
Raylon, I am glad you decided to get the Katana for your wife. I think she will enjoy it more. The tanto makes a nice companion to the Katana but I prefer the Katana myself. Hope she loves the gift!!
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Oct 27, 2018 18:50:18 GMT
She really, really apreciated the katana at her last birthday, I have confidence that the matching (and hopefully even better, in all senses) tanto will please her
o7
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 1, 2019 14:21:48 GMT
Received the weapon from JKOO last evening, which was surprising considering the late hour and it being the New Year's eve.
Anyway, had to proceed quietly since my wife's BD is only in 3 weeks.
I hadn't time to examine it in detail, but a few details immediatly sprung up to my eyes.
1. Saya has a cosmetic defect 3. Tsuka looks good
2. Tight koiguchi fit 3. Blade looks very nice at first sight, oiled and no rust
4. The very tip of the blade is bent
Aldo received my japanese iaito and my son's custom JKOO iaito at the same time. Minosaka iato wasn't quite straight, fixed it, zinc/aluminium is easy. JKOO iaito has its own couple of defects and the tsuka is hardly usable as is, will have to try working on it to fix it.
More on these later, will do full reviews.
If feel slightly down after this, sucks for the 1st of the year to have 2 strikes on 3 balls at the eve of 2019.
Did I mention my grandfather passed away at age 99 last evening?
Anyway, sorry for the rent, typing this along with my morning coffee, happy New Year all, hope it starts better for you guys.
o7
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