Ron Best Custom Knife Mammoth Double Interframe Jere Davidson Engraved Integral Wakizashi

Maker: Ron Best (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 83964
Blade length: 19.37 in.
Total length: 28.87 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.27 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.27 in.
Item weight: 42.72 oz.
Shipment weight: 52.88 oz.
Blade: Hollow ground D2 carbon steel heat treated to Rc 58
Bolster: Integral engraved oval guard
Handle: Integral with pre-ban ivory inlays
Description: This wakizashi is an elegant weapon, perfectly balanced. Ron’s main focus for the last few years has been on making integral knives. This technique shows tremendous control — the steel parts, from blade to guard, to handle are all made from one solid piece of steel. The result is an exceptional knife.
Japanese swords between 11.8″ (30 cm) and 23.6″ (60 cm) are called wakizashi. These are the shorter of the two swords worn as a daisho . The wakizashi was used with one hand and the blade was worn on the belt with the edge up. Japanese merchants were not allowed to wear katana, so they often carried wakizashi instead.
The grind lines are very clear and well performed, and then reground in a stylistic impression of the traditional Japanese hamon or temper line. The thick, hollow ground blade is designed as a puncturing knife. The integral design results in exceptional heft and a great feel in the hand. The blade has been meticulously hand satin finished. The integral D2 handle has been sculpted and meticulously inlaid with pre-ban ivory. The steel throughout the handle has been lavishly engraved by Jere Davidson. The balance point is right at the guard, making it sit securely in the hand, but having a nice forward momentum. Exceptional fit and finish throughout on a very captivating, elegant sword.