TITANIUM KATANA SPECIFICATIONS
PROJECT BY BAWKO & ANTONIO

This project is based on a Kris Cutlery 29 inches katana blade which will suffer a reduction of length of one inch by removing the Habaki and grinding off at the Mune-Machi, resulting in an extended tang, and the optimum blade length of 28 inches. The Tsuka shape is to be ergonomically conceive in two halves that will contain the tang. The Fuchi and the Kashira will be one piece with the tsuka. Only deeper V shaped grooves will distinguish both parts. The overall 14 inches  tsuka will have parallel U shaped grooves with all edges rounded for a soft and good grip. The Tsuba will be of finely polished Titanium with a 7 cm diameter with a V shaped concentric groove at about 8 mm from the tsuba edge, which will be softly rounded.

Here a close up to allow for better view of the side and cut-out section of the tsuka. The grip must be aimed at being very confortable. The habaki is to be silver plated or receive a bath that will produce a closer approach to the Tsuba.
Later, a wooden Saya will be added, which should incorporate a Titanium Koiguchi to be lined in wood shim in the inside for correct grip of the Habaki.
THE TSUKA COLOR
A further Challenge to Bawko, is to play with the coloring of the tsuka, making it bluish grey. This link to Titanium will surely provide information for the chemical bath for this effect. By working with color on the tsuka, and since my preferred lenght is 14 inches, the Tsuba will remain in its original titanium color, thus providing a balance in color of exactly 1/3 of the overall lenght being darker (14 inches) and two thirds being the steel blade, polished as much as possible to reveal the hamon.
ORDERING THE BLADE
When ordering the Kris Cutlery blade it is important to tell Cecil de Quirino that the blade is for Antonio, and that an existing hamon is expected to be revealed. I'm sure this project will be a full success do to the great human and technical qualities of Bawko.
SHORTENING THE BLADE

The picture below shows where should the blade be shortened with a grinding wheel or belt. By comparing the two pictures it is possible to view the black area as the 1 inch of lenght to be removed from both sides of the Mune-machi. Yet the shape of the now extended tang, on the upside correspoding to the Edge, can be further changed to suit the construction of the tsuka.

His superb craftmanship on this earlier piece prompted me to redesign it as it showed all the potential of Bawko's splendid workmanship.