Japanese style blade... need help/recommendations or any other words of wisdom

[YAMAMA]

Howdy folks,

I am working on this chisel ground japanese style blade. 10.5" OAL. I am not sure what the correct name of this type of knife is but I know it is not a tanto as they are commonly refered to.



Anyways.. You can see where I am at. I need some help, advice, recommendations, guideance, a push in the right direction or something on how to proceed.

I would like to do a sort of traditional wrap on the handle. I do not think I am willing to coin down for ray skin under the wrap and was wondering what alternatives would work well. Wood, leather, sharkskin

I was reading this tutorial and got even more confused. http://pages.prodigy.net/tlbuck/tsuka/tsuka.htm . Do you know of any easier to follow tutorials?

Is there anything I am missing?

Thanks,
Jerid

[sdcb27]

You can use anything under your wrap you like using. Some use ray, some frog, ostrich comes to mind,wood or just a cord wrap looks great if done well.
Alot of good threads and links on the forums for tanto information

[luc]

Howdy!
Alot of times I will wrap a different color of para-cord around the tang before I start my actual wrap, It looks really good as long as the first layer is really tight. (no spaces between cord),Black and olive drab look really good together.
Good luck !
Lucas

[YAMAMA]

I had not thought of that Lucas. That is a good idea.

I actually had an idea pop in my head about what I could put under the wrap. I am going to keep it to myself for now until I can investigate it a bit more. I think it should turn out pretty nice. (I think it's all innovative but my ideas are usually a day late as I usually find out many people have already done it)

I would appreciate more ideas though. Keepem coming.

Jerid