This is my first Japanese style DIY project in, hard to believe, 12 years! I was a lot into Japanese stuff back then, but after a few years break in my hobby somehow got into European daggers and short swords of XVI-XVIIc.

So, after all those years I suddenly got this urge to do something Japanese again, but a bit off the beaten path. Looked at the Kris Cutlery Yari (spear head) blade and felt it would make a nifty little hideout dagger, sort of a Japanese answer to an Italian stiletto of the same time period. Well, this Yari blade of course can cut, but still is primarily a great strong stabber.
Fast forward a few months and here is what came out of this idea.

The scabbard (saya) and handle (tsuka) core are made of poplar. Both covered with ray skin (same), lacquered black, then tops sanded off for contrasting white dots (just a little on tsuka, to preserve rough grip, and practically smooth on saya), then lacquered with clear coat.
End pieces on tsuka (kashira) and saya (kojiri) are polished buffalo horn.
Matching metal mounts on tsuka and saya (fuchi and koiguchi) are copper with fine silver inlay (dots and lines) and punch-textured surface, with nickel silver bottom plates.

Small metal pieces are constructed and decorated the same way. These are: a sort of menuki piece, which is actually soldered like a head to the nickel silver pin (mekugi) holding everything together (not exactly traditional construction, but I like it this way and was shooting for something a little unusual in this project); and the base piece holding the nickel silver ring for a tie down cord (used instead of the usual kurikata, but a traditional option even if relatively rare).

Since the blade steel is not of traditional Japanese construction and quality, I didn’t bother doing a high polish. Just took it to 600 grit “working polish”, still looks pretty good for what it is.

Vital stats: blade 4 ¾” long, 7/8” wide, ¼” thick at the base; handle 3 ¾” long; 9 ¼” overall (scabbarded).

Look at the attached pictures and let me know what you think!

Alex.

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You made a Japanese sgian dubh! :lol: I like it! The ray skin looks great, and that blade is just right for a nasty little secret surprise! Good job! :D .....McM

Interesting little critter. It's not traditional, and yet it certainly looks like it could have existed in a more traditional setting. Amazing work on it. Personally I think it looks great; and at only a little over 9" long it's certainly concealable, as well.

Exactly my point! It wouldn't seem one bit out of place hidden in the folds of a Samurai robe. Very traditional looking...very well done. :D ....McM

Thanks for the kind words, guys!
Mark, "a Japanese sgian dubh" was an interesting comparison, I didn't think about it. As I said, for me it felt more like a heavier than usual stiletto. One that can cut at need, but in a solid stab could probably ruin someone's day even through a light armor...

Somehow I imagine it more in place as a samurai woman's concealed weapon. I read that they may have carried very plain mounted small tanto, but come on, wouldn't any woman (samurai or not) want a pretty piece rather than plain?

BTW, a yari blade mounted as a tanto was actually done traditionally, though rare. You can find a few old examples online. Some details of my mounting aren't traditional, of course.

Alex.

Well...traditional or not...If I were really into Japanese-style blades, and this was available to buy, I WOULD get one! :D ...McM