JHancock
Member
Luk 22:36 He said to them, "... and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."
Posts: 45
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Post by JHancock on Jul 25, 2022 0:16:45 GMT
This project was done quite a long time ago by a friend of mine, Stuart Branson. It started out as a Hanwei Praying mantis. The blade was totally reprofiled to lighten it up, and it was given a new "colt's foot," tsuka, along with a stabilized hemp wrap. The saya as well was completely sanded down and given a hemp wrap. The theme of this custom was a tribute to the "kakure kirishitans," (hidden Christians) of Edo period Japan. (Think "Silence," the movie by M. Scorsese) Tho the blade was reprofiled, it really lost none of it's blade presence, nor authority in the cut. Lightning fast, it's a fantastic cutter, and a piece of art with deep personal significance. Designed by me, and built by Stuart Branson of Stuart Branson knives and sheathes.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2022 0:36:52 GMT
That's dope, I dig it. Nice design choices, the aesthetic is fantastic
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JHancock
Member
Luk 22:36 He said to them, "... and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."
Posts: 45
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Post by JHancock on Jul 25, 2022 1:10:07 GMT
That's dope, I dig it. Nice design choices, the aesthetic is fantastic Thank you, Djinnnobi.
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circumstances
Member
All the same we take our chances.. laughed at by time..tricked by circumstances
Posts: 92
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Post by circumstances on Jul 29, 2022 0:27:43 GMT
Beautiful man. I really like your display stand too. I'm going to make my own stand for the custom katana I'm starting on probably next week. I have to order another katana to top out my diasho before I strip the one there now for the project piece. That stand is trick. Gives me some inspirational ideas for the one I'm going to make. That is a seriously nice display. The sword is eye popping and sitting in that stand really just makes the whole set up just entrancing.
Now I'm really inspired for my custom piece. (Edit) To add I also really like how you say there is a deep personal connection to how your blade is put together. I so completely understand that. I'm going to use materials for my build that have that sort of significance for me. Build a place to house my soul as it were. Using certain materials to build and decorate the sword with that hold deep significance for me. Seems I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Thanks for sharing.
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steveboy
Member
Measure twice, cut once.
Posts: 361
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Post by steveboy on Jul 29, 2022 5:00:29 GMT
Build a place to house my soul as it were. This is such a great line and great idea. It's really got me thinking. Every customization I've done, I've thought outward -- a theme, an homage, a style influence. I haven't really sat down to think, Okay, what would a sword that absolutely represents me look like?
Nothing immediately springs to mind, and I think this is going to take some very considered thought. I also think it'll be educational (for me, I mean).
Wheels definitely turning. Thanks for sparking this notion!
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circumstances
Member
All the same we take our chances.. laughed at by time..tricked by circumstances
Posts: 92
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Post by circumstances on Jul 29, 2022 22:12:08 GMT
Build a place to house my soul as it were. This is such a great line and great idea. It's really got me thinking. Every customization I've done, I've thought outward -- a theme, an homage, a style influence. I haven't really sat down to think, Okay, what would a sword that absolutely represents me look like?
Nothing immediately springs to mind, and I think this is going to take some very considered thought. I also think it'll be educational (for me, I mean).
Wheels definitely turning. Thanks for sparking this notion!
Glad I could help. It's taking me a bit to get my build totally designed how I want it. It's not going to be a traditional katana. The tsuka will be of standard length and such. 11-12 inches actually I think 10 is te standard a lot of blades come with. I like the tsuka a bit longer than average. I' do know I'm going to go up to the mountains and harvest some ironwood for that . Also called mountain mahogany. It's a short stocky tree and the wood cures VERY hard and tough. Finished it looks fantastic. I grew up with that stuff. It also makes a great BBQ wood and smokes stuff deliciously. I may lay some pinion pine into to it as well. Both trees have big medicine with the Indian tribes here and my Indian buddies schooled me on that. Two radically different woods. If I can pull off a blend that would be cool. I also have some feathers from a couple different birds that have that sort of significance for me I'd like to use. Maybe varnishing then onto the wood or actually inlaying them. Still haven't decided on how I'm going to decorate the tsuka. I have a couple ideas but nothing certain. As serious as I'm taking this it's still a blast. Going out in the wild places to get my building material makes it even better. Seems the OP got some gears grinding. LOL. Good job!!! Hope your project comes together for you. Do enjoy.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jul 30, 2022 14:41:10 GMT
There’s much there that I like; the stands, the choice of hemp to wrap, and the general overall appearance. Very nice.
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