Salvatori Moretto

Picked up a blade to mount for myself, labeled as an Uchigatana. Almost finished the habaki already and wanted to plan overall dimensions, and this is where i'm stumped. Obviously a more petit blade, modern but made seemingly well. nothing spectacular honestly. Here are blades overall stats from the purchase: Blade length（nagasa, 刃長, はちょう）: 68.4 cm Bottom width (motohaba, 元幅,もとはば) : 2.8 cm Top width(sakihaba, 先幅,さきはば) : 1.9 cm Blade thickness(motokasane, 元重 ね) : 0.68 cm Top thickness( sakikasane, 先重ね) : 0.5 cm Curvature of the sword（sori, 反り）: 1.2 cm Nakago (after i take away space needed for habaki) will only be 15.2cm or about 6 inches. Usually when I carve out a new tsuka i like to limit the excess wood past the nakago to 1.5 inches to 3 inch's at absolute most. Now this is a general rule of thumb for me, but i was curious to see if anyone knew of standards for uchigatana vs katana in this matter? How much shorter, if at all, were uchigatana tsuka? Anyone want to chime in on what they feel a blade with these measurements should have tsuka wise? It's a modern blade, unsigned, most likely just a relatively nicer made blade from china with a more classical/traditionalish polish, so i also wouldn't mind shortening the blade length to give myself a slightly longer nakaago and redrilling the mekugi ana. I've done 15/20 mounts but always on katana, and the measurements of this blade, specifically the short nakago, have me wondering about tsuka length for the first time in a long time. Thanks for the input!!

Something was found and purchased

Like the title says, looking for f/k, something similar to these, which I owned once before I sold like a buffoon :D Need them for a personal mount, no looking to go "too" expensive lol Thanks! -Sal'

Hello, I don't post on here often enough, but I feel my life has been truly enriched by Ford and the work he does, and how always willing he is to share all of his knowledge. I want to know if there is a paypal address or other method that would be preferred if we want to donate to Ford and his family to show our support through more than just words. Thanks, Sal'

Thanks John! Also any help on the saya or any info on the blade at all would help Cheers, Sal

Here is one that I just seen in person and snapped some quick pictures of, really might want to try and pick this up but wanted to find out more about it first Any and all help would be appreciated! Thanks! Sal'

SOLD! Thanks everyone, all of you that did your own research, and those of you that just had "magical" knowledge of this stuff, and thankfully posted what you knew for me, I really appreciate it! Cheers, Sal'

It very well may be nihonto, but I have no good translation or history on the blade, and did not want to list it as such without knowing for certain. The blade seems well done and traditionally made, and if it was made from a well known smith in the current mounts the price would probably be considerably higher And Frank, off hand the menuki were made of copper I believe Thanks, Sal'

Hello Brian I only say it's not Nihonto because of the lack of age on the nakago, but I have not done any research into the blade, or translated the mei :/ If I were to guess it was made in the last 30 years.

Up for sale is one of my most recent projects. It's a Japanese o-tanto (Long enough so tech a short wakizashi) with just over 14 inch nagasa and about 20 inch over all including habaki and tsuka. It features a traditionally done kesho polish which is still in about 98% good shape. Blade has a very stout and sturdy feel in the hand and should make a nice cutter if you so choose it. Blade is signed but I have not had it translated, feel free to chime in if you can This is not a nihonto so if need be feel free to take down this sale page if you feel this does not belong here I custom made everything on this project with exception of the well executed habaki which was done by Wally Hostetter. All buffalo horn was hand carved and polished by me including the Kaeshizuno, nothing was store bought. Tsuka was carved by me and features high grade samegawa from namikawa, elegant shaping, and very nice antique dragon themed menuki. Saya was hand carved by me and blade is held snugly with zero rattle or movement in the saya but can be broken free with just a push of the thumb. Saya finish was done by me in a form of tsugaru-nuri which is a multi-layer finish that is almost never seen anymore on newer blades, specially not at this price point. I plan on making this finish my"signature" Price is $SOLD. If using Paypal you can send as a gift or add the 3% Cheers, Sal' of Jizamurai Customs

I'll be going, i've been trying to make it to at least one show a year

Hello everyone! I was thoroughly appreciative of the chance to work on this project, and I see every project as a learning opportunity as no two projects are exactly alike Stephen is also great to deal with! Indeed I had some obstacles from the start; a tsuka that was not originally fit for the nakago, fuchi and kashira that were not originally fit for the tsuka, and the spacing of the ito and ultimately the length of the tsuka determined by the original fuchi. This all culminated in spacing towards the end that was less than satisfactory. The ito needed to be relaxed enough for it to end on the proper side, yet tight enough to be secure. Pulled too tight and it simply would have reversed the side of the knots completely. Constructing a new tsuka core and proper fit and placement of everything is one thing. I attached a photo of a build I did for a customer where I built a new core and new full wrap of samegawa, predetermined spacing and major planning is key. Also uploaded is a wrap I did where the fuchi and kashira are original to the specific tsuka and again the results speak for themselves. Being able to make slight modifications here and there to make things come together that was never intended to do so (mismatching components) is an art in it's own right though, one I am still learning :D It takes more than just proper hishigami and measurements, it's a type of art that takes skill and time to hone the right kind of judgement calls needed to make the end result appealing to the eye and yet still functional. I'm humble for every opportunity that I get, I love this work and never plan to stop learning Sincerely, Sal'

SOLD!

Yupp he's right! Price lowered to $1075 shipped! it just needs the tsuba tightened a tad and some light work to the saya to make it "finished". Saya is serviceable now and is exactly as shown in pictures, I was just experimenting with a new ishimi material for the finish and didnt give it my full attention

Bump! Cheers! Sal'