Howard Clark San Mai Katana
Hira Zukuri,
32" Nagasa
SOLD
Originally this sword blade was commissioned from a client Howard and I were working with that ended up falling through after Howard completed the blade. Its existence has been hinted at occasionally over the last few months but details were avoided until such time we could decide what to actually do with it. Its unusual size and shape made for some interesting possibilities and although its shape is Japanese influenced, the greatly magnified size of it places it in a unique “anomaly” category. In casual conversation Howard and I referred to the sword as the “buffalo killer” which seemed amusingly appropriate because of its sheer scale. However, since buffalo (or “Bison” for the purists out there) are a North American product, it is difficult to consider finishing this sword in a Japanese style by that name.
Without a doubt this is not only the largest, but most complex and unusual sword Howard has ever made in sanmai construction or any other metallurgy for that matter. But constructing this sword in a sanmai composition presented Howard with a very narrow margin of error and his success in this one sword speaks volumes for his skill-set as a smith. Howard’s sanmai swords are constructed of three individual billets of steel; two forge folded and one 1086. The 1086 is “sandwiched” between two pieces of forge folded steel. In forging the 1086 must comprise the edge steel peeking out from between the two sides of forge folded steel. The control necessary to keep a consistency in the overall material thickness, while maintaining the protrusion of the 1086 without hammering so thin that the 1086 becomes exposed in the blade outside the edge region can only be defined as virtuosity of the hammer. Considering that a sword of this shape and size only complicates the equation exponentially and that it actually survived the heat treatment process elevates this work to that of epic proportions for his career works so far.
This sword is massive. It is in hirazukuri shape of over 32 inches on the cutting edge, 1 7/8 inches wide at the machis, and 5/16 of an inch thick, and weighs in at nearly three pounds completely bare. It has a copper habaki already made by Howard himself. The nakago is 11 ½ inches long. The hamon consists of notare and some large gunome with activity that will be stunning once fully polished. The boshi turns back in nice maru style. The niku is well distributed and in conjunction with the shape will promote a highly sharp edge.
There are three possibilities for purchase of this sword.
Option 1: As is, bare without polish, including habaki: $6000.00
Option 2: Fully polished, in shirasaya: $9500.00
Option 3: Polished, and fully mounted in custom made fittings in one of two themes already designed for $16,500.00 SOLD
Please only serious inquiries on the option for polish and mounting option. Designs are not open to change or negotiation as I have already planned them out. A position for polishing and mounting will be set for completion upon sale, but time will obviously vary according to time of sale.
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