Is this a Tanto?

[Andy Stevens]

Thanks for all the info gents, I must say that Fernandos link to Richard Steins website was a real eye opener!
I've managed to pull the blade form the handle- not easy as the thing is bloody sharp! I hope the pics shed a little more light on this dagger. The peg hole in the handle dosn't line up with the hole in the tang, so I guess this is a composite piece, that said, it took a lot of force to remove the blade, I had to remove a lot of rust- me thinks there is some age here and not a modern made in China job. What ever it be, it feels good in the hand and would I'm sure have performed well in action. I can see no marks on the tang-but then again, I hardly know what I'm looking for

Out of interest, the seller has got the scabbard that came with the dagger when he purchased it. I will get it at easter ( he forgot to bring it to the sale) when we meet again at the next antiques fair. Many thanks for all comments and opinions.

[katana]

Andy,
interesting that it has a 'chamfered' spine .....so what appears to be the edge (in one of the pictures) is in fact the spine ?

I am sure the scabbard will help help provide further clues


David

.

[BerberDagger]

this is a kaiken ...not tanto...

[katana]

Hi BerberDagger,
according to this...
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=B...kQ8MZD_Y&hl=en

the difference between a Tanto and Kaiken is how it is worn, if that is the case, the scabbard will probably ID which it is

Could it also be considered to be an 'Aikuchi' another guardless Tanto type knife?

Regards David

[spiral]

Originally Posted by katana

Andy,
interesting that it has a 'chamfered' spine .....so what appears to be the edge (in one of the pictures) is in fact the spine ?

I am sure the scabbard will help help provide further clues


David

.

No David thats the blade edge, the raised spine is on the other side!

Cleaning rust of Japanse tang destroys any value, but luckily that doesnt look like a japanese made tang anyway.

Spiral

[BerberDagger]

Originally Posted by spiral

No David thats the blade edge, the raised spine is on the other side!

Cleaning rust of Japanse tang destroys any value, but luckily that doesnt look like a japanese made tang anyway.

Spiral

I dont aggree , nakago on japanese sword must be original , with old patina and untouch...if you polish nakago blade less much value...nakago is ok..

this "tanto" is little value becouse blade is much rust, I think that hamon dont esc olso with a good togi...

Andy , have you spend much for this?

[katana]

Originally Posted by spiral

No David thats the blade edge, the raised spine is on the other side!

Cleaning rust of Japanse tang destroys any value, but luckily that doesnt look like a japanese made tang anyway.

Spiral

Hi Jonathon,
thanks for clearing that one up.

I am also wondering whether this composite could have been made up by non Japanese. I thinking perhaps captured/found/broken Japanese weapons in ex-occupied countries/islands,(WW2 ? ) put together by local inhabitants ... just a thought

Regards David

[spiral]

That I realy dont know David, just going on what I can see.

I realy must get a new crystal ball.

Spiral

[fernando]

Originally Posted by spiral

... but luckily that doesnt look like a japanese made tang anyway ...

Spiral

That so ?

[spiral]

Not to me, no, definatly not, ive only seen many old handmade & more recent Gendaito ninhonto though, & although with this one the circular grinder marks might be from the clean up of rust? But somehow I dont think so....

But the bits of forge scale, poor shaping etc. lack of file marks [other than circular grinder,] etc,etc. i find impossible to belive as japanese. But I am always happy to learn.

Rich Stein is a member here who I am certain could tell you {& I] exactly.

Spiral