{"product_id":"damascus-tanto-knife-rosewood-saya","title":"Damascus Tanto Knife with Rosewood Saya and Red Cord Wrap","description":"\u003cp\u003eA tanto is the short blade of the Japanese pattern, with a straight or nearly straight edge rather than the long curve of a katana. This one is hand forged Damascus over a high carbon core, an 11 inch blade at 16.5 inches overall, with a deep red cord handle and an oiled rosewood saya. It is forged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina, for buyers who want this pattern in a small size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDamascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEtched layer pattern, angular tip where the edge turns up to the point\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGuard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall round brass tsuba\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePommel or collar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrass habaki at the base of the blade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep red cord over white rayskin, bamboo peg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScabbard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOiled rosewood saya, brass fittings, red silk sageo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngraving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 dollars per piece\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe steel is Damascus, pattern welded over a high carbon core and etched so the light and dark layers run the length of the blade. At 11 inches it is single edged and the edge runs close to straight, which is what sets a tanto apart. Instead of sweeping up in a curve, the edge turns and runs to the point in a straight line, so the tip reads as an angle. That is shape, nothing else. The core is carbon, so the blade darkens with use and rusts if left wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe fittings\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe guard is the tsuba, the disc between blade and handle, small here and cut from brass. At the base sits the habaki, the brass collar that wedges into the mouth of the scabbard. The tang runs the full length of the handle, held by a mekugi, a bamboo peg pushed through the side. Tap it out and the handle lifts away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe handle is the tsuka, 5.5 inches, a one hand length. White rayskin goes on first and deep red cord runs over it, crossed one turn against the next so small diamonds of rayskin show through. The wrap is pulled tight by hand, so it sits differently on every piece. A polished brass end cap closes the butt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe scabbard\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is the saya, and it is wood, as this pattern asks for. This one is rosewood, oiled rather than lacquered, so the grain stays in view. Brass fittings sit at the mouth and the tip. The habaki wedges into the mouth, and a deep red silk sageo is tied at the throat. Do not store the blade shut in the saya for months, since wood holds moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is what people buy who want the Japanese pattern without giving up a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors after a short blade in this pattern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyers who like a Damascus pattern up close\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSomeone filling a set beside a katana\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat comes in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Damascus tanto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe rosewood saya and sageo cord\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA care card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA free engraving quote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEvery piece is different\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach one is forged, ground and finished by hand, so runs stay small. The Damascus pattern, the rosewood grain and the spacing of the wrap all change from the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eLooking after it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWipe the blade dry after handling and never put it away wet. The gray patina Damascus takes on is normal and protects the steel. Oil it lightly before storage and keep the rosewood away from heat. The handle comes off at the peg for cleaning. More in our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/knife-care-sharpening\"\u003eknife care and sharpening page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePut a name on it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaser engraving is 20 dollars per piece, added on this page. Around 30 characters fits on the blade or handle, and clean line art engraves best. A proof image goes out before the laser runs, and it adds 3 to 5 business days. See the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/engraving\"\u003eengraving page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a tanto?\u003c\/strong\u003e The short blade of the Japanese pattern, with a straight or nearly straight edge rather than a curve.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the angular tip mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e The edge turns and runs to the point in a straight line rather than curving up to it, so the tip reads as an angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the handle be taken off?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. A bamboo peg holds the tang, so tapping it out frees it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my piece look like the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e Not exactly. The Damascus pattern and the rosewood grain differ on every one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this steel rust?\u003c\/strong\u003e It can, since there is carbon under the pattern. Dry it after handling and oil before storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it legal to own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sword and long blade laws vary by state, city and country, so check your local rules before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the same steel at full length see our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/damascus-katana-rosewood-saya\"\u003eDamascus katana\u003c\/a\u003e, and for the companion blade in clay tempered carbon the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wakizashi-sword-1095-carbon-steel\"\u003e1095 wakizashi\u003c\/a\u003e. More sits in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/damascus-steel\"\u003eDamascus steel\u003c\/a\u003e, in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/katana-swords\"\u003ekatana swords\u003c\/a\u003e, and in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/damascus-swords\"\u003eDamascus swords\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44140305743990,"sku":"VEF-SWD-DAM-TAN-604","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/damascus-tanto-knife-rosewood-saya_63d74de6-7fd0-46e3-88f5-5138b3c82906.jpg?v=1788792558","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/damascus-tanto-knife-rosewood-saya","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}