Mounted Howard Clark L6 Bainite Katana
The reputation of Howard Clarks Bainite blades is widely known and respected for their performance, durability, and simplistic beauty. Practitioners of Japanese sword arts love them for all these reasons.
This sword is one of the earlier ones created by Howard as the nakago is stamped with "L-6 Superkatana" which he discontinued in subsequent years. His earliest works were stamped with this, but didn't have yasurime, but were just belt finished. This one has yasurime, so is a transitional work from probably around 2002 or 2003. It also has his two character kanji, "Omimi" or "big ear", which is metaphorical for both his location in Iowa (where corn is extensively farmed) and a personal trait of one larger ear. His sense of humor is clear in his choice of mei.
This Katana was originally mounted by Fred Lohman Company by its owner and has been a working sword since. While it has scratches and scuffs associated with use, the blade has no significantly detrimental damage or flaws. It is not chipped, blunted, dinged, or cracked. The shape is good and would accommodate a fresh polish. The mountings are very basic cast silver textured fuchi, kashira, and silver mitsutomoe menuki. The tsuba is also steel reproduction. The kiku (chrysanthemum) seppa are also silver. The forged copper habaki is also by Howard Clark, made and married to this sword blade. A black saya with black sageo completes the sword.
Nagasa: 28 inches
On Consignment: SOLD |
