Matt Gregory 6 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Finished these up last weekend. Everyone that's laid hands on them can't believe just how fast and light they are - VERY deceptive in relation to their looks! One's a bit plain, while the other is obviously pretty racy - easy to see the fact that they're siblings, though. Each blade is just a pinch over 7 inches long, with an overall length of 12.5 inches. Both are 3/16" 1095, have tapered tangs and gorgeous wood and ito, and were heat treated with clay - but with very different coating methods. The first provided all the flash - best hamon I've ever managed (with one upcoming possible exception) and Amboyna scales: The next two shots give you a decent view of the sori that both have - such great curves! This one's got a simple, straight hamon and curly koa scales under her wrap. I think it's understated, but elegant: Comments welcome. I had a lot of fun making these two, and they really seemed to come together all on their own. Thanks for looking! Link to post Share on other sites
JJ Simon 123 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 really nice work. Link to post Share on other sites
Troy Christianson 3 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 They are both very well done. They look fast and sleek. Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Colwell 143 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Matt - you have succeeded in causing me to suspend a usual very strong bias. I normally can't stand anything that tries to be even remotely Asian with a ricasso. BUT, those are quite striking. I like them both, very much. I think the hamons are both nice, though the one is surely flashier. I may have missed this - but guessing - you quenched in Parks 50, right? those are really cool. I now have to go rethink my worldview. This could take some time... kc Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Gregory 6 Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 I may have missed this - but guessing - you quenched in Parks 50, right? Yup! Just can't seem to bring myself to lose a knife to something that doesn't need to be done any more violently than it has to be! Both of these came out of quench perfectly straight, btw. When I did the test pieces for this particular stock of 1095, the quenched results were wonderfully fine grained, with a trace of the usual carbide banding I see in Admiral's steel (the biggest reason that I won't order from them anymore, too). I used a chunk of 1095 in 3/8" stock from Aldo Bruno and my results were vastly superior without having to do any freakish thermal cycling, so it's what I'm planning on re-stocking with. Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Gregory 6 Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 (edited) I just can't seem to capture the essence of hamon with a still camera - infuriating!!!! Here's the video I sent to Roger after completing it, you get a slightly better idea of the activity in the hamon: Edited February 18, 2012 by Matt Gregory Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Lester 293 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I would classify them as being elligant in their simplicity. What is the handle material under the wrap? Doug Link to post Share on other sites
justin carnecchia 67 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Very nice. Fantastic hamon. Love those long ashi. Where do you get your 1095? Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Gregory 6 Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 From here on in, it'll always be from Aldo Bruno, the New Jersey Steel Baron! Link to post Share on other sites
deker 34 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Very nice Matt! I'm jealous not only of the fact that you're getting time in the shop, but also of the quality of the work you're putting out. -d Link to post Share on other sites
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