Early Spring

Product Description for Early Spring

Maker: Scott Slobodian (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 83876
Blade length: 11.37 in.
Total length: 16.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.00 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.24 in.
Item weight: 16.75 oz.
Shipment weight: 23.44 oz.
Blade: 1050 carbon steel with traditional Japanese clay temper line (hamon) for a very hard edge and softer, resilient spine
Bolster: Sterling silver habaki (blade color) and tsuba
Handle: Traditionally wrapped handle with ray skin, leather, and sterling silver cherry blossom menuki
Sheath: Masur birch saya
Description: Early Spring was featured on page 230 and 231 of David Darom's Book, Art and Design in Modern Custom Fixed Blade Knives. This knife was depicted as a demonstration of the height of Scott's technique of making knives -- from starting with an initial billet, to clay heat treatment and the casting of the menuki.
Like Scott's other full dress work, this war tanto can be fully disassembled using a traditional pin. Cherry Blossom Festival fittings (including the habaki (blade collar, which protects the blade while in the sheath), menuki (grip ornaments on each side of the handle), tsuba (sword guard)) were cast from sterling silver by Scott and meticulously engraved by Barbara Slobdian. The fittings are highly detailed and meticulously created. The hamon shows a clear differential heat treatment created by clay tempering. The result is an extraordinary edge holding ability and a softer, more resilient spine. The sheath is formed from masur birch. This highly polished wood has warm tones and a flame-like grain structure. Exceptional work throughout. Full dress work at its best!


Availability: Not currently available