For 40 years I had a replica dai-sho with chrome-plated brass blades that were duller than a butter knife. Not long ago I replaced those blades with these sixteenth century Shinto era blades in the same furniture. The tanto is of recent production steel.
From Pakistan comes the Khyber Bowie. A Pakistani friend tells me he never saw such a weapon there so draw your own conclusion. The brass needed lots of work with Brasso and steel wool.
The wood grips on this stainless sabre were narrower than the tang so it absolutely needed to be wrapped and in such a way as to keep my knuckle off the hand guard. The sheath was custom made at a local saddlery shop.
This sheath was also made at the aforementioned saddlery shop. I requested Texas style tooling for The Alamo Commemorative Bowie Knife that came with only a display case.
This was my first large knife that got me started on this collection. Thanks for letting me share.
Thanks Mike.
Among other things I wanted a matched pair of fighting knives. As luck would have it I fount three Schrade Custom knives so I wrapped the grips on two of them. Don't want to cover the pretty handles but this way they are much easier to hold especially when doing palm changes.