Big Ear's ArmouryBig Ear's Armoury
Japanese Style Sword Blades
The high carbon steel that I use is 1086 modified, which is higher carbon than most other makers are using for sword blades with relatively low Manganese and also has an addition of .2% Vanadium. As a result, the blades are stiffer than those made from lower carbon steel. They do not lend themselves to bending as easily. They are heat treated in the traditional manner of coating the portions that are not to be hardened with clay, and they are quenched in water for hardening. I also temper these blades after hardening,to relieve some of the stresses from quenching and it also makes them a lot less likely to crack. The hamon will be "notare" with ashi lines. It is a large undulating wavy line, and quite attractive.
Your blade comes in Binsui polish with a custom fabricated copper habaki
Katana 33 inches nagasa and under $2400 Plus S&H
Wakizashi 24 inches nagasa and under $1800 Plus S&H
Tanto 12 inches nagasa and under $1200 Plus S&H
Modern Tool Steel L-6. I make these blades for the martial arts enthusiast who wants performance and durability first and foremost. A thoroughly modern steel, it is given a proper Japanese sword size and shape for the correct feel, but there is where the similarities end. The heat treatment is strictly twentieth century, and provides a blade that has a body which is very springy at HRC 48-50 and a hard edge that is HRC 57-58. The result is a blade that cuts well, holds a good edge, and flexes instead of bending if the cutting stroke is not so good. great deal of energy to do so. The hamon is a reserved sort of notari line. Under any semblance of "normal use" these blades will never bend, break, take a set, or chip. If "tough" is what you value the most, this is the blade you want.
Representative example of what the hamon looks like on these blades.
Your blade comes in Binsui Polish with a custom fabricated copper habaki
Katana 33 inches nagasa and under $3800 Plus S&H
Wakizashi 24 inches nagasa and under $2850 Plus S&H
Tanto 12 inches nagasa and under $1900 Plus S&H
Nagasa is the effective blade length from the machi to the kissaki. Specify this measurement when you order. I am usually within a few mm. of what you ask for. This is the measurement that determines the price of your blade.
The depth and style of the sori (curve) can also be ordered.
Nakago (tang) is not figured into the blade, ie the cost, and can be any reasonable length you want. I tend to favor longer than "traditional" lengths on the nakago if left to my own devices, feeling that it is better if the entire length of the tsuka is supported by steel. Typically a 28" blade will have at least 10" of tang if I do it the way I like, possibly even a bit more. They do vary from one to the next, being entirely hand made. The length of the nakago can be specified, as can other details of the blades sugata (configuration). Please add these as notes to your order.
For more information about Japanese swords, be sure to check out Rich Stein's Japanese Sword Index.
Want to talk about swords ? Then head on over to Sword Forum International. A great site with a nice online magazine about swords, and many different discussions carried out bulletin board style, the site has expanded greastly and now includes discussions about all kinds of swords, in addition to the Japanese style like I make. Good bunch of folks there to chat with.
Bugei Trading also runs a nice discussion board which can be found at Bugei's Forum. This Site also has martial arts discussion boards and other that deal with all aspects of Budo.
I also recommend E-Budo for interesting discussions of the martial arts.
Links to other Japanese sword stuff
Rich Stein's Japanese Sword Index