"Ashigaru" Tanto

Nearly all Japanese swords and knives have the same basic blade shape and handle construction, with only minor changes in the length of the blade, the handle, and the curvature. The tanto was carried as a personal sidearm in feudal Japan, and served its purpose well as a primary stabbing weapon and secondary cutter. Tanto have a large variety of hilt mountings ranging from ordinary lacquered wood to baleen fiber handle wraps. 

This tanto features a classic tanto design. The koshirae are made from horn. The habaki is brass and the cherry blossom menuki is wrought copper. The handle, or tsuka, is covered in a rayskin samegawa wrap, which gives the wielder a secure grip. The blade itself is differentially clay hardened 1084 high carbon steel and has a beautiful classic hamon. This is a brutal, yet elegant blade, fitting of the samurai.

The original artefact which this tanto is based off - late kamakura period - from historical auction.

Price Estimate

• A tanto like this would cost around $750. 
• Without a differentially hardened blade and hamon, the tanto would cost $370.