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AVAILABLE

 

Howard Clark L6 Shobu Zukuri Katana -- 26" Nagasa -- Fully polished and mounted

$5,950.00 USD.

 

This is available for immediate purchase. Most will tell you that a shobu zukuri shape is a blade shape where it is similar to a conventional shinogi zukuri but without a defined point. That is somewhat misleading, however. A well made shobu zukuri blade isn't just a blade without the tip. The entire shape of the blade is subtly different with a gradual tapering and flow in to the very point. Shobu literally means "iris leaf" which is a great description of the shape. So consider this shape... Most modern version I've seen done tend to get the very subtle shape wrong. They often look either too thin or too pointy or too, well, something. It is a difficult shape to pull off nicely and evenly. Howard Clark pulled it off in this case. (In the photo above I notice that the tip looks a little funny right at the point. What you're seeing there is a light flare from the sun -- the very point is, well, "pointy" and not rounded off. That is just an artifact from reflected light.). In the following photo you can see the crisp and tight the sword shaping. Notice there is no distortion of the reflection in the shinogi ji, a sign of a well shaped and crisply defined polish. The 26" nagasa blade has a wonderfully even, centered sori of about 5/8 of an inch. The entire blade is graceful and feels marvelous in the hands. The steel is Howard's special L6 steel heat treated with a bainite body and martensitic edge. Fully polished the stuff is subtle but under the right light it is just fantastic. The blade is mounted in shirasaya (resting scabbard) ready for mounting or simply for display as is. Many collectors will buy these blades in shirasaya rather than having them mounted and display them in this way. This would be a marvelous candidate for display in a home. The sword has a heavily gold plated solid silver work hardened habaki with a deep pattern engraved. This would be a fantastic addition to any collection. I would love to keep the sword in my living room since it is a great size for an in-the-house sword, but finances simply do not allow it. So it is available for sale. I would be available to work the sword in for mounting if the buyer so desires. It would be a great sword for a smaller person and still a fantastic sword for anyone who simply appreciates highly refined craftsmanship.   $5,950.00 USD (plus shipping/insurance). Available   Contact me.

 

I accept check, money orders, Squareup or Paypal. Please e-mail
me at keith@summerchild.com to arrange payment if
you are interested in purchasing this blade.