John Lee Ten Kei Aikuchi Tanto

The term “ten kei” can be translated as “gift of the sky” and is a symbol of nature’s beauty. This inspired delicate flower patters on the handmade fittings that are refined with gold and silber.

The blade is handmade using the elaborate konbuse style. The hard cover is made of 1095 carbonsteel and the core consists of softer low-carbon steel. Like its predecessors this tanto combines grace and utility in a unique way.

Using a differential heat treatment an edge of 60 HCR and a blade back of 40 HRC is created. The difference can be seen in a real, delicately formed hamon line.

- Shinogi Zukuri style blade with a fuller
- Kobuse style blade construction
- Aikuchi style, traditionally without a tsuba
- Hineri maki style handle wrap, underlaid with ray skin
- Black, mirror polished blade (kuroro style) with fittings (kojiri, kurigata, koiguchi) made of buffalo horn.
- Blade collar (habaki) and washers (Seppa) made of brass.
- Has a long tang which is attached to the handle with two bamboo pegs (mekugi). The sword is dismountable.
- All decoration (Fuchi, Menuki, Kashira) is handmade of metal which gives every swords its unique touch.
- Delivered in a wooden box.
- Every original John Lee sword is delivered with a seal and a certificate.

Handle length: 5.3’’
Blade length: 10.2’’
Overall length (without sheath): 15.8’’
Weight (without sheath): 1.1 lbs