Cool basket. Mac had sent me some references to the "cup and ring" design when he first brought it up. That's the stuff I like for my work on modern Japanese style pieces. A nod to the past. Most swords I do have something "hidden" inside them. Sometimes it is a theme that I was thinking about, sometimes it is distinctive marks, etc. I usually don't tell folk what they are and let them discover them on their own if they are so inclined.

One really cool thing for me right now is that I have a customer who is consigning fully custom fittings for two long swords. And I'm doing a consistent theme between the two. Each will stand on its own and be different but put them together and you will immediately see that they relate to each other on another completely different level (assuming some knowledge of Japanese mythology). That's the fun part for me.

It isn't that these things aren't supposed to be tools. They are first and foremost. But they have always been marks of a culture, a time, an attitude. A snapshot of history in a piece of steel, wood, leather, lacquer, ... Sure, the first thing is to cut stuff. But I have a machete that does that really well. The thing that gets me going is putting together different threads of history, mythology, etc. and trying to recreate the feel of those times long gone. Or to help a customer like Mac realize what is important in his world. To me, being outside the western sword world, I see bullseyes. But it was cool to read about the history of the cup and ring. It's all good!

Beautifull sword all round,
Great work from some inspiring craftsmen,
Mac,
Fantastic katana chap,Well done :cool: Good things come to those that wait :)

I am speechless, what a wonderful project Mac, would of never thought you to go with a katana, but i'm glad you did a modern design to it.

I though when I saw the title of this thread that I'd be seeing a Japanese sword-blade with a basket mounted to it! Only it couldn't be a full basket due to the two-handed nature of the blade. Maybe something like the half-baskets (or whatever you call them) that you see on some swords.
Or how about a Japanese blade with a ring-hilt?

Brian M

For those oldtimers who may remember a certain Sword Forum thread that started this all in motion ......

Posted on Bugei:

Guido Schiller wrote:

Tom, I'm very glad the "overhaul" worked out as great as it did! When I wrote what I did back in that thread on SFI (btw, did you pull it off, I couldn't find it anymore?) I never imagined the awesome transformation the blade and Koshirae would see. And I think there's a business possibility for me (bad cop) and Keith (good cop) in this line of putting down and then lifting up ... :wink:

Hi Guido

Thank you, Sir! (I can now breathe a sigh of relief ;-)

No, that thread is still around, but I believe it's part of the old boards archives (Dennis could retrieve it for you).

Yes ... I certainly must thank you for your hard & honest evaluation, back when, as none of what has transpired would have probably happened without it!

With the sword now in hand, I am simply amazed at the difference !
The tsuka is so tight & solid (you could bonce a quarter off the wrap :-)
and Wow .... the polish .... crisp lines, gorgeous hamon, and a kissaki that just blows me away ..... absolutely sensational !

Here's a few quick photos ....
(given its unique tsuba, she feels right at home shouting "Alba gu brath")

Thanks again, guys ! Mac

That katana just looks gorgeous on that highland background, and in the earlier photo above of the katana in with the baskethilts it just looks like it belongs there and doesn't at all look like it shouldn't be there.

That sword is beyond words. I really have no idea what to say about it. It's amazing!

Alex