New katana project, might need some advice
Apr 5, 2024 16:47:43 GMT
Post by jester on Apr 5, 2024 16:47:43 GMT
Hiya.
I'm starting this new project, based on a beautiful sword by Ron Chen, the Oborozuki (New Moon version).
This one is gonna be still moon themed but, let's say, "cursed". Just because.
Got a few ideas ongoing but really can't decide the colour scheme, so maybe you might have some suggestions.
Details so far
Koshirae:
it will be handmade in blackened brass, with some decorations in relief of a crescent moon in clouds, which will be then sanded off to show brass color on black. Simple sukashi tsuba in black. Moon in clouds menuki set, maybe one crescent and one full, really open to options here. NO bats.
Blade:
I'll get one from Zsey or Shadowdancer. Problem is which geometry. Having already a few shinogi and a kogarasu, I was thinking to go with a nagamaki zukuri for this. Both vendors have this shape. Ideally a shobu but the only shobu available from them is a 9260 TH, so no hamon. And I'm a sucker for hamon, especially in sashikomi.
Colour scheme 1:
Being the koshirae black/brass, I was thinking of going absolute classic with white samegawa, black ito and black saya. So basically it would look like an Hanwei Bamboo Mat.
Colour scheme 2:
Alternatively, I was attracted by this combination of greysh saya and wine/black ito. Or again black ito, but with wine red samegawa painted underneath.
Budget:
I allocated $1500 for this so the sword without fittings should ideally stay in the $800/1000 range.
Dealbreakers:
The tsuka must be handmade with single mekugi. The blade must be DH.
About the original sword:
I think the Oborozuki is truly stunning and I would immediately buy it as it is, but I also think the retail price of €4500 isn't quite right.
I agree it's a limited edition and it's maraging steel (but why? Is it really necessary? I would have preferred oroshigane for example) but in my opinion the overall pros don't justify the cons in this price point.
Pros:
- nice tsuka shape
- tight ito
- I love the theme and fittings
- good polish
- lovely hamon with moon shaped in the clay process
Cons:
- shabby looking habaki
- two mekugi? Really?
- monosteel
- visible panel/hishigami line
Now, most of the pros are supposed to be "standard" for a sword in this price point, while all the cons are definitely not expected for the same reason, but yet are present. I also considered what €4500 euros could buy in the swords realm and a few things come to mind, like a nihonto up to 740k yen (plenty of good choices here, papered and all), a bare blade by HC, two basic Motohara or one on steroids, a custom Radosword, just to give a few examples. Yes I am poor. Like most sword collectors. But a bit poorer. So I'll try to make a similar sword with a third of the budget.
I'm starting this new project, based on a beautiful sword by Ron Chen, the Oborozuki (New Moon version).
This one is gonna be still moon themed but, let's say, "cursed". Just because.
Got a few ideas ongoing but really can't decide the colour scheme, so maybe you might have some suggestions.
Details so far
Koshirae:
it will be handmade in blackened brass, with some decorations in relief of a crescent moon in clouds, which will be then sanded off to show brass color on black. Simple sukashi tsuba in black. Moon in clouds menuki set, maybe one crescent and one full, really open to options here. NO bats.
Blade:
I'll get one from Zsey or Shadowdancer. Problem is which geometry. Having already a few shinogi and a kogarasu, I was thinking to go with a nagamaki zukuri for this. Both vendors have this shape. Ideally a shobu but the only shobu available from them is a 9260 TH, so no hamon. And I'm a sucker for hamon, especially in sashikomi.
Colour scheme 1:
Being the koshirae black/brass, I was thinking of going absolute classic with white samegawa, black ito and black saya. So basically it would look like an Hanwei Bamboo Mat.
Colour scheme 2:
Alternatively, I was attracted by this combination of greysh saya and wine/black ito. Or again black ito, but with wine red samegawa painted underneath.
Budget:
I allocated $1500 for this so the sword without fittings should ideally stay in the $800/1000 range.
Dealbreakers:
The tsuka must be handmade with single mekugi. The blade must be DH.
About the original sword:
I think the Oborozuki is truly stunning and I would immediately buy it as it is, but I also think the retail price of €4500 isn't quite right.
I agree it's a limited edition and it's maraging steel (but why? Is it really necessary? I would have preferred oroshigane for example) but in my opinion the overall pros don't justify the cons in this price point.
Pros:
- nice tsuka shape
- tight ito
- I love the theme and fittings
- good polish
- lovely hamon with moon shaped in the clay process
Cons:
- shabby looking habaki
- two mekugi? Really?
- monosteel
- visible panel/hishigami line
Now, most of the pros are supposed to be "standard" for a sword in this price point, while all the cons are definitely not expected for the same reason, but yet are present. I also considered what €4500 euros could buy in the swords realm and a few things come to mind, like a nihonto up to 740k yen (plenty of good choices here, papered and all), a bare blade by HC, two basic Motohara or one on steroids, a custom Radosword, just to give a few examples. Yes I am poor. Like most sword collectors. But a bit poorer. So I'll try to make a similar sword with a third of the budget.