A few of my favorite sharpies.

[Ashemaru]

These are just a few of my favorite sharp things.



The katana is a Last Legend Ryouko blade with a completely reworked tsuka and tsuba. The blade (1050 steel) is through hardened and has been re-polished and acid dipped to bring out it's bitching temper line. It cuts like a dream.






The hybrid knife is by smith Josh Powell. It is made of 1084 steel and is differentially heat treated to make a nice smooth hamon.




Finally, my only worthy zombie killer. A Viking belt axe by Allan Foundry (bought through Ragnar's Thrown Weapons Catalog). It is made of 6150 medium-carbon alloy and is heat treated to make a nice hard edge. I can throw it with some accuracy but it really shines in hand to hand combat and would fit real nicely into a zombie skull.



Enjoy .

[Creaux]

Mmmm, nice hamon money shots!

How is the ballance on the knife?

[bgaesop]

When I saw this title I was expecting markers. Also, neat axe. I want coconut shots!

[TDW586]

Those are some beautiful bladed weapons, man. What kind of prices did you pay for those items?

[randomusername]

here i am thinking you sniff markers, then i see an axe thats very schweet. nice collection, dig the axe.

[Ashemaru]

Mmmm, nice hamon money shots!

How is the ballance on the knife?

The hamon on the knife is amazing. I sometimes think it is too pretty when compared to the hilt.

The blade balances right at 2.75" from the guard. It's very handy: both a great slicer and a decent little chopper.

Also, neat axe. I want coconut shots!

I plan on killing a few coconuts this weekend. I'll be sure to post the carnage.

What kind of prices did you pay for those items?

Well, the katana (It's name is Mokkou), cost right at $700. With the completely reworked hilt and spiced up blade... I actually got a decent deal.

I got the knife for $75 but it is worth about twice that. I got lucky.

The Viking belt axe is a real bargain. Ragnar sells them for $49 ( http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html ).

Overall, it's not a fiscally responsible hobby, but there's worse.

[TDW586]

Thanks for the link, I now have three more bladed weapons I simply must buy.

The Bearded Axe




The Heavy Throwing Knife



And the Wetterling Broad Axe



Beautiful, just beautiful.

[Ashemaru]

The Bearded Axe is a very good choice. My brother has two and they are spectacular. Surprisingly enough, they throw well too. If you can get one I recommend trying to get the one made of 6150 steel. It'll last longer and looks a lot more "Viking".

[TDW586]

The Bearded Axe is a very good choice. My brother has two and they are spectacular. Surprisingly enough, they throw well too. If you can get one I recommend trying to get the one made of 6150 steel. It'll last longer and looks a lot more "Viking".

You're entirely missing the point. I don't care how functional they are...they just look awesome.

Good to know they're quality merchandise as well.

[Creaux]

Damn cheap internet retailers, making me want to backstab my former workplace...

Yeah, that knife could use some decent furnature. It looks almost Greek, if you want to go hog-wild with it, you could try to get a smith to do you some bronzework

[TheLastRifleMan]

Ashmeru, how do you like your Wetterling's oveall peformance? I have a Granfors-Bruk camper's hatchet which I dearly love and am thinking about buying another.

I have a Cold Steel Bad axe, which I like, and am thinking about buying thier pole axe.

I have spent many an hour throwing tomahawks and am quite good at it. I think I would carry one or two in my belt if TSHTF

[Ashemaru]

Ashmeru, how do you like your Wetterling's oveall peformance? I have a Granfors-Bruk camper's hatchet which I dearly love and am thinking about buying another.

I have a Cold Steel Bad axe, which I like, and am thinking about buying thier pole axe.

I have spent many an hour throwing tomahawks and am quite good at it. I think I would carry one or two in my belt if TSHTF

I don't have a Wetterling but it does look pretty sweet. I trust Ragnar's stuff. He even sells Cold Steel war hammers .

[misanthropist]

Hey, LastRifleMan, have a look at this handy article:

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=147

I have used both and for sure, a well-prepped Wetterlings is pretty well unbeatable. I ALWAYS have it on my belt when I leave the city, ALWAYS. The balance alone makes it unbelievably sweet to use, but the blade profile is the kicker. If you are used to sharpening your gear to taste, you've really got to try one. They are absolutely top-flight tools.

But if you are not used to modifying edged tools to suit your tastes I would really stick with the GB. Even though it is not as well balanced, nor is the blade shaped quite as well, they are razors out of the box and only need touch-ups to keep them performing well. The Wetterlings needs a total re-grind when you buy it, and must haev the lacquer sanded off the handle and get a good finish of linseed or tung oil.

But if you are used to doing this sort of thing, you MUST get one. I don't believe a better axe exists.

[TheBlunderbuss]

That hyrbid knife looked like a Falcutta.
Speaking of which, we should have a ZS falcutta.

[TheLastRifleMan]

Misanthropist,

Thanks for that article. I have heard about having to have to do some work on the Wetterlings. My Granfors, as you said, came razor sharp without have to do anything. I find that the factory egde's angle can do almost anything I want, from splitting kindling right down to shaving curls for tinder boxes.

I would not want to use the Granfors for throwing. First of, it is WAY too expensive for that and second the edge is way too hard and would probably chip.

I used my Granfors last weekend to cut up two milk crate size boxes of wood into kindling for camp fires and the darn thing will still shave the hair off my arm.

[misanthropist]

Misanthropist,


I would not want to use the Granfors for throwing. First of, it is WAY too expensive for that and second the edge is way too hard and would probably chip.

Oh good god no! I'm with you there. I would throw an axe in absolute desperation and that's about it. It's so hard for me to imagine a situation in which I would realistically improve my overall survival odds by throwing one that I've never even tried, although I did have a great double-bit for years that could have thrown pretty well, by the balance of it.

[TheLastRifleMan]

Misanthropost,

Nice to have someone that agrees with me. I have a couple tomahawks and a Cold Steel Bad axe for throwing. The Granfors is for cutting first, using as a weapon maybe four of five down it's list of uses.

I woul use the Bad Axe or tomahawks, as you have correctly stated, as a last desperate act. Throwing away a perefectly good weapon or tool just seems like blasphemy of the highes order!

[Creaux]

That hyrbid knife looked like a Falcutta.
Speaking of which, we should have a ZS falcutta.

I should have gotten tht name.

I'm hoping the ZS kukri works out and is decent quality. We can worry about other impliments of destruction later

Although, I'm a little tied up right now on to whether a non-amazing falcutta would really be of any use at all in a PAW. A Kukri is a good machete, on top of it's more action-movie oriented uses.

[DevastatorIIC]

When I saw this title I was expecting markers.

A few of my favorite sharpies:

Bitchin blades. I want a katana something terrible.

[Ashemaru]

If you tell me how much you are looking to spend I can point you in a direction. This is one subject that I know .

[CLEAR CUT]

seeing as I'm such a lover of the blade I too will add some of mine to the cause. These pictures were taken in the warroom of Fort K. The Last Bastion of Hope and the lighting leaves much to be desired. Sorry about the picture quality.Here goes:

This is a shot of some of my goodies and is not even scraping the surface. There is a carbonsteel hawk as well as a Cold Steel trail hawk. An Undertaker Bowie knife by frost(bought in the early 90's Frost's quality seems to have taken a nosedive since) A WW2 trench knife. This knife was given to my father who in turn gave it to me(he worked at VA westside in chicago and befriended a veteran who fell at wake island) A Special forces survival knife in surgical steel. This knife has been in my possession the longest(scouting some 20 years ago) A winchester Bowie knife which was a surprisingly good buy for what I paid for it. A Fiskars camp Hatchet(it does have a hollow handle almost up to the head and comes with an injection molded sheath)

The next set of pictures are of my sword. It is also WW2 era and was also gifted to me from my father who traded memorabilia as well as cash for it when I was a child. This is also a good time to mention this object is one of the two I have held that have prompted a reaction from me. I think there is something to psychometry and believe to have been a party to it when I first held theis blade. Not that the blade itself were evil but a deep sense of dread(like I felt this thing had been used. Know what I mean?) The second time was with a firearm. Maybe I am crazy but I think not.

This is my sword now.I have totally redone the tsuka myself( rewrapped the handle as well as securing the same' rayskin to the hilt) The addition of a new tsuba as well as washers and a brass peg. I also purchased a saya seperately. Cut it to length and added a brass throat as well as a custom painjob and have completed it. I have also given the sword a name which is secret. I will hower assure you with a solemn promise: Who/whatever feel the kiss of this blade will be imparted with its name as a parting gift before it speeds them to the Underworld.

This next additon is a WW2 machine forged blade. I bought it intending to build the hilt myself out of red oak as well as adding a tsuba and fittings. When this is done it will need a scabbard and a name as well.


For the price I paid for it I think it will be a nice project. And when I have finished it will take its honorable place in my arsenal.

This last set is of a priceless blade in my opinion. It is a Kunimitsu sword. Forged in 1272 in the bizen province of Japan(no doubt on a mountaintop by the light of the full moon in full Shinto regalia) By the smith Kunimitsu. This purchase was made after a lengthy search through several reputable dealers. After it was purchased I took it to be appraised and was plesantly surprised at not only the blades authenticity as much as the price it was worth on an open auction( for the price I paid it was a steel-Ha!ha!) The only bad part is the lack of historical lineage(who owned and wielded it before me) This knowledge in my opinion would make it even more priceless in my eyes. This is History and mare then 700+ years of it by my reckoning. Imagine what it has seen. Who wielded it? Where did it come from before I got it? This kind of thought provokes visions of Honorable warriors in my mind. Warriors who lived by a code in a time when Honor meant something as well as a life of service to ideals and one's lord. This is the stuff of legend as well as song and story. And it's all mine!





I hope you guys and gals enjoyed the show. Check You Later.BOB

[Ashemaru]

Very, very impressive stuff CLEAR CUT. I would love some better pics of the Kunimitsu. That truly is an heirloom.

I am green with envy .

[Creaux]

Yeah, I would also love a better look at that treasure.

The WWII katana gives you an odd feel, but the older piece doesn't? Hmmm...Assuming you aren't crazy, then either such things fade over time, or your WWII piece has a pretty shady past

Very, very cool stuff. Can you give any measurements for Kunimitsu?

[CLEAR CUT]

This shit suck camera I have dishonors the blade. I will however try to get some shots with a real camera this weekend(it's raining here has been all day.) I wanted to take some shots today but the rain started,very disheartening. The dimensions are: Blade length 27 3/8" the blade width starts at about an inch at the tsuba and tapers slightly to a little over a 1/2 inch at the kisaki. The tsuka length is a little over 9" and is way less in diameter than the WW2 models. The weight is almost lighter than a feather. There's no way the total blade including handle weighs in at more than 3 pounds. It has a slightly wavy hamon pattern and its blade glistens in the sunlight. Once you feel it in your hands there's no doubt as to its authenticity. The price I paid for it(and I won't actually say,because it's tacky) was more than $1000 but less than $5000. The factors determining this I think are its lack of the original mounting( I think the tsuka as well as the tsuba and the saya are of the time frame of somewhere between WW1-WW2 according to the apraisal and I am inclined to believe him)I was also informed if the original mounting as well as a historical documentation were available the blade would be nearly priceless.

Not only that but the time period in which it was forged: The Kamakura(1192-1336) The establishment of the shogunate or feudal government by the Minamoto clan at Kamakura in the Sagami(Soshu) province started the time period and resulted in 675 years of rule under the shogunate(which had military as well as administrative and judicial powers) This is also a good time to mention that in1274 and again in 1281 the Mongols attempted to invade Japan and were repelled by both samurai as well as the Kamikazi( Divine Wind) This blade forged in or around 1272 ( the smith Kunimitsu lived during this time and was most prolithic in 1249 producing most of his work then. By the time the blade was produced sometime in 1272 he was a Master and surely had a shop of his own as well as governmental auspices to produce blades of quality) His name Kunimitsu means Northern Light. This sword could very well have been part of many historical battles. I often wonder where this blade came from, who weilded it, What it has seen. This is again a piece of history and the stories it could tell wound undoubtedly be fascinating.

I will try again. Perhaps this weekend to take some better pictures and get the on here for all to see. Check You Later.BOB