Salamander and Frog Katana

Product Description for Salamander and Frog Katana

Maker: Bill Burke, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 92268
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 28.00 in.
Total length: 39.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.25 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.24 in.
Item weight: 35.50 oz.
Shipment weight: 49.36 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel blade wrapped in 416 stainless steel
Handle: Poplar wood dress fittings wrapped in black ray skin (same) and silk
Sheath: Poplar wood dress saya with fern green urethane and acetylene flames
Description: In 2006, Mastersmith Bill Burke went to Japan for three weeks. During this visit, Bill’s long-time fascination and understanding of Japanese swords and Japanese forging techniques was greatly enhanced. During the trip, Bill visited many sword shops (Nihonto) and knife shops (hocho), as well as visiting with several sword smiths and blade smiths. Bill has since made several styles of Japanese hocho knives (kitchen knives) along with tantos, wakizashi, and katana.
The blade was forged to shape from 52100 carbon steel that Bill laminated with 416 stainless steel. The blade was heat treated using traditional Japanese techniques -- by water quenching with clay covering the sides. This style of heat treatment not only creates the elegant hamon (heat treatment line characteristic of Japanese swords), but produces a soft, supportive spine, with a keen, long lasting edge. As is traditional with Japanese swords, after the blade was polished using waterstones, the hamon was polished with Japanese finger stones. The hada (grain pattern) is clearly visible and pronounced.
The habaki (blade collar) was forged from copper. The sheath and handle were formed from alder wood. The saya is pained with fern green urethane and ornamented with acetylene flames. A black SEM texture coat gives a secure, comfortable grip on the saya. The koi-guchi (mouth of saya) is black buffalo horn. Kura-kata are gold plated. The poplar handle is wrapped in black same (ray skin) and green silk. The sepa is mokume gane formed from copper an silver by Bill. Remaining fittings are antiqued brass with silver and gold inlay.
The katana is accompanied by a traditional kogatana formed from the same billet as the blade. The handle is shakudo on front (outside when inserted in saya) and shibuichi or reverse. It is traditional friction fit.
This Katana is among Bill's masterpieces to date!


Availability: Not currently available