I wonder how the tang is fixed inside? Perhaps you could strengthen that somehow? Or is it just glue? I've had some luck with metal epoxies, for example JB Weld, but there are others.
I think it's only glued inside. I'm thinking myself, how to strengthen it. Once it falls apart I'll see how it was connected. Need to see to make plans on how to help that blade. I honestly doubt that there is a hole for proper connecting with handle... though if the blade and handle are good enough, I could ask some smiths around if it could be possible to drill hole into blade part to attach it with the handle traditional way as katana is supposed to be. There is at least one company that makes katanas here in Czechia, so worth asking them. Might even still be cheaper than buying another blade.
Back when I bought my swords that amount of money could get you a very basic forged steel katana if you were willing to shop around. Even now I'd imagine doubling that amount could get you something worth owning. Or look at even look into Iaito if you're not concerned with cutting, but want something that looks nice and will withstand practice, and will not maim you if you screw up.
I'm kind of a crazy nutcase so all my blades are live blades with the exception of the cold steel bokken. I just never really developed that strong fear of blades. I wouldn't consider any of my katana "razor" sharp but they don't need to be. It's kind of one of the myths about them. It's the cutting technique and momentum of the blade that does the damage.
All you really need is the metal epoxy and some denatured alcohol to clean up. Important to get rid of all the oil. Sandpaper and files are always worth having anyway.
I have . 420 Stainless steel the cover says. Should serve well. Sculpting stuff for cosplay can be very creative job. A lot of improvising....All you really need is the metal epoxy and some denatured alcohol to clean up. Important to get rid of all the oil. Sandpaper and files are always worth having anyway.
Don't buy the absolute cheapest files cheap shit you can find because they might be cheap shit soft metal, but you don't have to break the bank either. I've also got a set of decent needle files from ebay, paid around £6.50 for them, and are incredibly handy for all kinds of smaller jobs. Always good to have tools. It's it's own rabbit hole
That looks great. I've always wanted to make a copper blade. In fact I have a small sheet of copper somewhere. I know you will never get a hard edge like you can with steel but it served our ancestors well. Otzi the Iceman had his copper axe. And of course a completely different set of magical associations as well.
If you could get some meteoric iron, that would be something wouldn't it? Or even some bog iron, make a handle of bog oak. I'm fascinated by stone blades. Always wanted to get into knapping. Copper and flint. Take you right back to the Chalcolithic!
The copper dagger was fun to make because that metal is very easy to saw and sharpen with a file, but it really has no purpose for me, it will likely never get finished. Maybe a brass one would be cool, copper and brass are very easy to etch into as well.
I tend to bond with items after I've had them awhile, after some wear and after some maintenance or light modification.
... pne was a long handled pair of tongs and another a sprt of reverse of that , not a 'gripper' like the tongs but an opener .... curious . It wasnt until I spotted an old manuscript that I saw the usage ;
Those are bloody brilliant. Almost like really esoteric fishing tackle. Why can't we have monks like that over here?I did a bit of both ;
Designed the dagger and the sword on paper . Got a good metal guy to cut that out and then took the blank to the electro -plate place . After that I got a friend to turn the wooden handle . I fitted the handle to the blade myself .
Nowadays I prefer the phurba ( not made by me - I used to get a lot of that stuff from Nepal via a friend and sell it on my market stall .
- just out of interest - they had these things called 'Demon queller sets ' , for subduing demons , s of them were amazing ; huge size , ornate with copper and brass inserts .
There are other 'tools' not shown .... it looks like my collection or martial arts weapons
several monks had surrounded a demon , some with the long handled weapons ( to keep distance ) , some had thrown hooked chains over it , one was using the 'opener' to hold its mouth open while another with the long handled tongs was shoving some rolled up sutras down the demons throat .
