Stormcrow
Well-Known Member
Sometime last year I made an o-tanto that caught the eye of the very talented Ben Tendick of BRT Bladeworks in Oregon. We had been wanting to do a collaboration for a while, and it seemed like a good direction to go. The tanto was slated for someone, so I forged another, and ended up making a wakizashi in the same style as well. I forged the blades, and Ben did the rest of the work.
Here's what was sent to Ben, a 16" and a 11.5" blade forged from 80CrV2 steel, heat treated and ready for Ben to work his magic on the handles. I left the tangs big and blocky to give Ben plenty of canvas on which to paint.
helmtendick01 by James Helm, on Flickr
Ben worked them down, shouldered the tangs to fit the tsubas, and drilled the holes to anchor the wrap.
helmtendick02 by James Helm, on Flickr
I left all the details to Ben on how he wanted to finish. He decided to use wrought iron for the tsubas. In his words, "I did my best to capture that well used Ronin style in this set."
helmtendick03 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick04 by James Helm, on Flickr
And copper menuki with his touchmark.
helmtendick05 by James Helm, on Flickr
He went with antiqued cotton cord for the underlay.
helmtendick06 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick07 by James Helm, on Flickr
Finished up.
helmtendick08 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick09 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick10 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick11 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick14 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick16 by James Helm, on Flickr
helmtendick17 by James Helm, on Flickr
I think Ben nailed it.
Here's what was sent to Ben, a 16" and a 11.5" blade forged from 80CrV2 steel, heat treated and ready for Ben to work his magic on the handles. I left the tangs big and blocky to give Ben plenty of canvas on which to paint.
helmtendick01 by James Helm, on FlickrBen worked them down, shouldered the tangs to fit the tsubas, and drilled the holes to anchor the wrap.
helmtendick02 by James Helm, on FlickrI left all the details to Ben on how he wanted to finish. He decided to use wrought iron for the tsubas. In his words, "I did my best to capture that well used Ronin style in this set."
helmtendick03 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick04 by James Helm, on FlickrAnd copper menuki with his touchmark.
helmtendick05 by James Helm, on FlickrHe went with antiqued cotton cord for the underlay.
helmtendick06 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick07 by James Helm, on FlickrFinished up.
helmtendick08 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick09 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick10 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick11 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick14 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick16 by James Helm, on Flickrhelmtendick17 by James Helm, on FlickrI think Ben nailed it.
