Description
Design a custom tanto mounted in the classical style of your choice. More info: Design Your Own Custom Tanto.
Variation shown: 8″ blade, yasurime habaki, forged copper seppa, natural brown ishimeji finish, and optional kurikata cord loop. (read more info below)
Habaki Texture
- yasurime (linear texture)
- tsuchime (hammer peened texture)
- ishimeji (stone/frosted texture)
- or give unlimited creative license to the maker
Seppa Material
- none (lacquer only)
- forged copper (water pipe)
- forged brass (door push plate)
Lacquer Finish
- ishimeji (stone-like texture created with crushed tea leaves)
- tsuya keshi (smooth matte surface layer)
- negoro (“worn-look” matte surface done with two colors)
- or give unlimited creative license to the maker
Lacquer Colour
- natural (a red-brown when smooth, a dark chocolate when used for ishimeji)
- black (very deep)
- antique crimson (very deep red/brown with plum undertones)
- black and red (streaked “negoro” or texture fill, varies greatly)
- black and antique crimson (streaked “negoro” or texture fill, more subtle)
- natural and black (streaked “negoro” or texture fill, very subtle)
- or give unlimited creative license to the maker
Mekugi
- bamboo (traditional style)
- decorative (metal or capped style)
Kurikata Material
- none (smooth, most common kaiken style scabbard)
- wood (lacquered Oceanspray ironwood)
- horn (cow or buffalo, availability/colour varies)
Measurements
Nagasa (blade length): 140-210mm
Motokasane (blade thickness): 5-7mm
Motohaba (blade width): 21-27mm
Sori (curve): uchizori
Nakago (tang): 90-100mm
Tsuka (handle): 90-100mm
Koshirae (overall): 270-350mm
Potential Raw Materials
Blade: reclaimed carriage spring steel
Habaki: reclaimed copper bus bar or fuse bar
Seppa: reclaimed copper water pipe, reclaimed brass door push plate
Handle and Scabbard: reclaimed Nootka Cypress
Kurikata: Oceanspray ironwood, reclaimed horn
Finish: natural urushi lacquer, reclaimed crushed tea leaves
Mekugi (removable peg): Bamboo