About the Kenshi Model 001 - Wakizashi/Ko Katana

The Kenshi, model 001 Wakizashi/Ko Katana of Project X Japanese is the companion sword to the Katana in the series listed here but can also be used as an independent blade in its own right. While the default matches the Katana in all aspects, it need not be exactly the same to qualify as the companion sword of a Daisho set, subtle differences (or even quite radical ones) were perfectly acceptable historically. Quite unique in overall design - with a handle some 4" longer than a standard Wakizashi it can easily be used with two hands like a Ko Katana - but the 20.5" blade is technically too short to make it a Ko Katana, with the end result a very versatile blade that can be used on or two handed as desired (custom options, such as shortening the handle will make it a traditional Wakizashi, and lengthening the blade, turn it into a true Ko-Katana).

To properly compliment the beauty of the blade, all fittings used are the best quality available - real silk ito wraps with hishigami triangles used for extra tightness and perfectly even lines, buffalo horn inserts on all saya, FULL premium quality rayskin wraps (frequently with at least one prominent emperor node) - in short, no expenses are spared to ensure the end result is the absolute best of breed for any sword near this price point.

As each sword in the Project X series is made to order, most models allow various customization options so you can personalize the design without losing its theme or accidentally creating a rather ugly or bad handling sword. Customization is free and you can either leave the design as the default, customize it a little or customize it a lot. The choice is yours and you really can't go wrong - and if you want to you can also mix and match components that you like from other swords in the series.

About Project X Japanese

Quite simply, Project X is a collaborative effort between Ronin Katana, SBG and Longquan's top sword forge - all working together to create arguably some of the the absolute best quality Katana ever made outside of Japan.

The blades are hand forged by Certified Master Smiths in the Soshu Kitae tradition (seven panel steel). This school was developed by the legendary and all time greatest Japanese smith Masamune, and combines panels of hard, medium, and soft steels.

TYPES OF KATANA LAMINATION

Soshu Kitae Lamination - far right. It is by far the most complex and desirable lamination technique.

The core of the blade is formed from softer, more malleable steel giving it exceptional flexibility. A layer of slightly harder steel is bonded to each side of the core to add support. The last layers are a very hard steel bonded to the top, bottom, and both sides of the core forming the ha (cutting edge) mune (back edge) and shinogi-ji (blade flats). This form of laminar construction provided for a sword that could be sharpened to a razor edge due to the hardened steed used for the ha, but was extremely resilient to battle damage due to its softer more flexible core.

As a by product of the process, the blade features not only a hamon, but also attractive lamination lines, resulting in a very active and attractive blade with interplay between the lamination lines and hamon. Like a fingerprint, each blade is unique and has its own distinctive patterning.

The quality of the swords in the Project X series do not end with the blade - each is complimented with premium fittings across the board with no expenses spared. For example, each sword in the series has a rare FULL Samegawa rayskin base for added tsuka core integrity and is wrapped with premium grade silk ito using the traditional and time intensive hishigami technique, twisting each knot alternatively. Combined with the full same wrap, the end result is an extremely tight and even handle binding. But the upgrades do not end there, all Project X Katana swords have every upgrade possible - such as additional coatings of lacquer on the saya for a richer, more durable sheen, buffalo horn saya fittings, thick, ultra strong sageo - solid iron fuchigashira - you name it, these swords have it, creating the ultimate complete package.

I personally endorse these swords as the best of the best available anywhere near this price point, and in September 2012 went to the forge in Longquan to oversee production and was very happy with the results (In the gallery you can see some pictures of me inspecting the finished blades).

After several years of occasional and sporadic offerings and a further 2 years of hard work trying to convince the forge to 'go direct' and allow customized, made to order and shipped direct to the customer - we finally had a breakthrough. And in mid 2019, the first trial run of a custom made to order began.

At around the $1,000 mark they are not for everyone - but the value for money factor is off the scale - typically you would pay at least twice as much for a sword like this, but that is not how SBG does business.. Instead, we mark up the price just enough to cover our costs and stay in business allowing discerning collectors to get the best around for considerably less than what the true market value would otherwise be for such a high quality sword.

Add in the ability to tweak and customize almost every aspect of the blade and the fittings and its not just amazing value, it's next level. In short:

If you want the best - THIS is it..

For more information please read the full article and overview of the Project here: Full Details and Project Overview

STATS:

Blade lamination: Soshu Kitae seven panel steel Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tempering: Differentially hardened (clayed) and water quenched
Rockwell Hardness: 62 edge / 40 spine
Fittings: Iron tsuba fuchi, kashira, and menuki
Kurikata, Koiguch, Kojirii: Polished buffalo horn
Polish: Japanese finger stone polish.
Blade length (Nagasa): 20.5 inches (habaki to tip)
Tang: Full tang with Ronin kanji.
Grip: 10.5 inches
Wrap: Premium Silk ito over FULL ray skin wrap.
Saya: Silk sageo buffalo horn inserts, double coated lacquer
Weight: 2lbs. 9 oz
Motohaba: 1.25 in
Sakihaba: 0.8 in
Motokasane: 8mm
Sakikasane: 5mm
POB: 5" from tsuba

CUSTOMIZE IT!

Each Project X Katana is made to order and as such, most can also be customized to taste. Though instead of total free for all customization which can result in an ugly or unwieldy design - each product only comes with a carefully chosen selection of custom options that will enhance and personalize the theme without destroying it.

Most customizations are exclusive to that particular sword design, though if you want to go totally freestyle, simply email us with what you have in mind and we will see what we can do. Otherwise, to customize your sword, change the desired component from default to the item that you would like it to be changed to and submit your order.

Here are the customization options:

1) Custom Blade Length (measured from the munemachi to the kissaki). Lengthen it and leave the handle as default to create a Ko Katana.

2) Custom Length of Handle. Shorten it and leave the blade length as default to create a traditional Wakizashi.

4) Custom Tsuba and fittings

5) Custom Menuki

6) Custom Saya

7) Bo-hi or solid bodied blade

8) Optional Extra: Folded steel (in addition to Soshu Kitae lamination and Choji hamon)

CUSTOM FITTINGS

After you have selected your desired blade and handle length, it is time to select a tsuba. The tsuba presented below are all based on actual Edo period antiques and are designed to personalize the swords theme within Banzashi regulations.

Iron Tsuba

The following selection of Iron Tsuba have all been selected to conform to Banzashi regulations. Most of these are slightly heavier than the default so will very subtly shift the balance of the blade back towards the handle.

Custom Menuki (handle ornaments)

The choice of menuki (handle ornaments) was not covered by Banzasi regulations, though generally the subtler the better. By default this design comes with a brass dragon themed menuki set, but feel free to change it to something more personal from the selection below.

 Optional Custom Saya

There are four Banzashi regulation saya choices for the Kenshi - all within Banzashi regulations, and all with premium black lacquer and real buffalo horn reinforcing the koiguchi. kurikata and kojiri. The default choice (1) is glossy black. (2) has a textured finish to minimize finger prints and scratches. Saya (3) has gold leaf inserts while Saya (4) has a hand painted mural in the classic e-maki style depicting a White Tiger facing off against a Dragon coming down to fight him from the clouds.

Bo-hi or No-hi

Select if you would like a blade with a bo-hi (fuller) which runs the full length of the blade and terminates in a traditional hand carved triangular pattern as opposed to the typical machine made rounded version. A blade with bo-hi tends to be slightly lighter and faster, making a louder wooshing sound (called 'Tachi Kaze') when it cuts through the air. A solid bodied blade without a bo-hi tends to deliver more powerful cuts and is the more durable construction method of the two.

OPTIONAL EXTRA: Folded Steel

In addition to the Soshu Kitae lamination and Choji hamon, for an extra $125 the steel can also be folded to produce a subtle hada. While not necessary, this optional extra results in the MOST traditional construction technique possible, and because it is folded by a master smith, with none of the drawbacks commonly associated with low priced folded blades. Has no effect on functionality, but takes the whole sword to the next level and as close as possible to a genuine Japanese Nihonto.

MORE Optional (Paid) Extras

None of the following optional extras are necessary to make a stunning looking, superbly handling sword design. But for those who want to push the envelope just a little bit more, we present the following extra optional customization selections. These additional options are not free as they add a significant cost to the base line of the sword which is reduced to be priced as low as possible to begin with.

Current Extras Available:

Horimono Engraving - $50

Mother of Pearl Saya - $75

Black Leather Ito - $75

Additional FREE minor customizations and tweaks:

Some additional minor customizations are possible - though as our priority is getting you EXACTLY what you ordered, they should be kept to a minimum to ensure the process is as standardized as it can possibly be to avoid mistakes and keep prices as low as humanly possible. While the customizations offered are designed to ensure that each sword sticks to an aesthetically pleasing and historically plausible theme, if you want to mix and match - you can.

Possible additional customizations include but are not limited to:

• Kanji engraving on the tang - of the smiths name or your choice of characters (up to 4 maximum)
• Gyaku Menuki placement
• Left handed saya mounting
• Chu or Ko Kissaki (the default kissaki is a Dai Kissaki)
• Using fittings from a different Project X Katana model (select 'other' and enter the desired fittings in the 'Additional Requests' field)
• Unsharpened blade for iaido

Additional customizations requests and minor tweaks can be entered in the text box just above the order button. If you are not sure, please contact us before ordering (and the order can also be modified within the first couple of days after it is placed BEFORE the forge starts work on it).

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE AVAILABLE COMPONENTS ON A PAGE ON OUR BLOG

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CUSTOMIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT POSSIBLE

For this project to work, the only customization possible on the blade is the length of the blade and nagako (tang, relative to the length of the handle selected) and whether or not it has a bo-hi. Specific types of hamon or different lamination styles other than Soshu Kiate are not possible. The only exception is of course folded steel which is available as an optional extra for $100 (and of course also includes lamination and differential hardening of the blade for the most traditional construction possible).

If in doubt, please contact us before ordering to confirm - if possible please keep additional customization requests simple and limit to one or two at the absolute most. Unlike some other sellers who claim to offer fully customized swords and promise they can do anything you could possibly desire (and deliver something almost unrecognizable) - we prefer to keep it simple and just deliver what we promise.

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