Post your Mcusta’s

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Sharpnshinyknives
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

kennedy knives wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:22 pm Pretty Knives Mark if you look inside were the Tang area is you should see a serial #
Gary
Yes, I did happen to see that and it matches what’s on the box. One is #18 and the other is #38. The Kaeru is from the year after your Ginkgo and pine needles. Any idea on the year my vine one was produced?
I bet a complete collection of everyone produced would break the bank, but what a collection that would be. Mcusta began releasing these annually starting in 2004 so 16 years plus multiples of different handles, blades and some years they released a couple of models w/ different handles and blades. Something to dream about. So difficult when they only made such small numbers of these each year.
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by kennedy knives »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 12:02 am
kennedy knives wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:22 pm Pretty Knives Mark if you look inside were the Tang area is you should see a serial #
Gary
Yes, I did happen to see that and it matches what’s on the box. One is #18 and the other is #38. The Kaeru is from the year after your Ginkgo and pine needles. Any idea on the year my vine one was produced?
I bet a complete collection of everyone produced would break the bank, but what a collection that would be. Mcusta began releasing these annually starting in 2004 so 16 years plus multiples of different handles, blades and some years they released a couple of models w/ different handles and blades. Something to dream about. So difficult when they only made such small numbers of these each year.
Mark I pick mine up in 2008 . Will have to look back and see when they were produced . Very Limited # ::handshake::
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Quick Steel »

Pretty precision = Mcusta
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I contacted Jemmy Iwahara at JKD. And he said this knife was from the first year that Mcusta made these limited custom models so that means it’s from 2004, The wooden handles he confirmed are ebony scales, they just are not stained to look black. I think that they look great w/ the dark stain.

On another note. I am trying my best to get Jemmy Iwahara to join AAPK and help me out w/ some questions that people have. I also want him to help me write down the history of Japanese knives. I would like to see how it all evolved after A.G.Russell, Frost and Parker went over there and got those knives from that period done. I want to know the significant people, what worked and what didn’t. How did the business become the companies they are now: Moki, Mcusta, Seki Cut, G. Sakai and Tak Fukuta. Jemmy has over 50 years of first hand knowledge and experience in the Japanese knife making business, I am sure he will be a great addition to this forum
So if he shows up suddenly, please give him a warm welcome.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by edge213 »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 1:46 am I contacted Jemmy Iwahara at JKD. And he said this knife was from the first year that Mcusta made these limited custom models so that means it’s from 2004, The wooden handles he confirmed are ebony scales, they just are not stained to look black. I think that they look great w/ the dark stain.

On another note. I am trying my best get Jemmy Iwahara to join AAPK and help me out w/ some questions that people have. I also want him to help me write down the history of Japanese knives. I would like to see how it all evolved after A.G.Russell, Frost and Parker went over there and got those knives from that period done. I want to know the significant people, what worked and what didn’t. How did the business become the companies they are now: Moki, Mcusta, Seki Cut, G. Sakai and Tak Fukuta. Jemmy has over 50 years of first hand knowledge and experience in the Japanese knife making business, I am sure he will be a great addition to this forum
So if he shows up suddenly, please give him a warm welcome.

BEAUTIFUL knife
David
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

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Well, this is my 1st. Mcusta, but I can be sure it won't be my last! This knife has been posted previously on a couple of threads in this link, but now that it's mine I will post it again. I just received it from Mark at SSK(Sharpnshinyknives), and prior to receiving it was told by him that I would love the appearance and silky-smooth action it displays, and as soon as I had it in-hand I knew exactly what he meant. To see this knife in person and feel the blade glide out of the channel via the thumb-stud, then lock-up tight and solid, is indeed a treat! It's hollow construction, so there's no spine to make it possible to see the run-up where the tang meets the backspring, but if it did have one I'm sure it would display a very tight tolerance, just like all Mcustas. It's 6 3/8" and has a VG-10 SS blade riding on oiled-washers with a top-swedge and blue-anodized amby thumb-studs, 33 layer Damascus "basket-weave" body design, blue-anodized pivot, screw construction, and SS single liner-lock closing. I now certainly understand Mark's attraction to these Japanese knives, and look forward to acquiring more of them, in fact, I already have another one reserved with him! Thanks again for making me aware of these beautiful knives Mark! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by WillyCamaro »

You picked a winner for sure Mark ::nod:: . I had me eye on it too, glad it went to fellow Canadian knife nut ::tu:: .
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Mark(SSK)has another one in his store Willy if you still want one! It's a gorgeous knife and you won't be disappointed! Thx for the well-wishes! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by WillyCamaro »

::tu::
"Never, never, never give up."
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Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Had the opportunity to buy this Kamon Series, Family Crest, knife. This is my second one of these, I believe they made 8 different Kamon knives in this series. The knife features a blade with a VG-10 Core and 33 layer stainless Damascus. The handles are also stainless steel with the family crest laser cut and enamel in the outline. Comes with the cloth knife pouch and box. I like the machining on the handles in the spine. Of course it has the Mcusta oiled washer system that makes the deployment silky smooth.
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SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I haven’t seen anyone post here for awhile so I got out my display case with all my Mcusta’s and took a few pics. Not the best quality pictures but it’s hard to take good group shots. I couldn’t pick a favorite out of this bunch, but the Jazz has to be in the top 2.
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SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:08 pm I haven’t seen anyone post here for awhile so I got out my display case with all my Mcusta’s and took a few pics. Not the best quality pictures but it’s hard to take good group shots. I couldn’t pick a favorite out of this bunch, but the Jazz has to be in the top 2.
Mark, you're kill'in me! ::dang:: I thought I had all the Mcustas I want all wrapped up with the 3 I have and am getting, but now you go and show us these, ::woot:: jeez, now I see 3 more I want! That is a very beautiful collection of these fine knives you own, enjoy them! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Got this Mcusta offered to me the other day I just couldn’t pass it up. The handles are anodized aluminum with real stingray skin inlayed into the handle. The back side looks just like it came from the Katana series. This one has a plain VG-10 blade and no San Mai. The pivot pin is anodized as well. Has the oiled washer system for a very smooth deployment. When the linerlock engages it has an interesting “click” that sounds like it’s resonating in the handles. This one will look very nice in my collection.
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SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Beeeaaauuutttiiifffuuulll Mark! ::tu:: Another one for my "Wishlist"! ::pray:: What's the oal? 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Closed OAL is 4 1/4” with a blade length of 3 1/4”
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Quick Steel »

I think the styling of that knife is exceptional. Including stingray in a contemporary design is so original, a tip of the hat to ancient bladesmiths.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Thanks Mark and Garry. I don’t remember seeing this one before and not really sure when it was made. But the stingray on the handle is an amazing addition. The anodized aluminum has such an incredible feel to it, it’s not slick and it’s not rough. It’s a work of art, craftsmanship and practicality all rolled into one. It would be a great EDC.
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by QTCut5 »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Wed Dec 30, 2020 1:18 am stingray on the handle
That's just plain COOL!! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Rich53 »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:08 pm Thought I would give a little history of Mcusta here on the initial page of this thread. Mcusta started close to 35 years ago. Based in Seki City Japan, Mcusta’s name is a combination of “machined custom”. Mcusta uses high quality metals and wood for their knives. All Mcusta’s use VG-10 stainless steel either alone or in a San Mai form. For those not familiar w/ the word San Mai, it simply means a “jacket”. So a VG-10 core would be the hardest stainless steel used for the edge w/ a jacket of other metal. Usually it’s a Damascus stainless but not always. I will post pictures of both.
Mcusta styles their knives from traditional Japanese style knives. Which might be one reason they aren’t as well known or popular w/ collectors. But anyone who has handled one soon finds themselves falling in love with these knives. The precision, high quality of materials and fit and finish are hard to beat unless you buy a custom made knife. Mcusta makes mostly knives that would be considered “tactical” by nature. Made of thicker blade steel and using either thumb studs or a hole in the blade for one handed deployment. They use an oiled washer system for smooth as silk action. Many knives come w/ a pocket clip.
Annually Mcusta issues a very limited quantity of custom knives and if you are lucky enough to get one and can afford it, these are amazing knives to collect. Hopefully there will be some posted later.
I am working on finding out more about Mcusta and Moki and will update information in this and a subsequent thread for Moki’s.
Start posting.
Below is a blade made w/ just a jacket of metal and the other is a jacket of 33 layer Damascus. Both knives have handles made from 33 layer Damascus stainless.
Nice! Beautiful knives.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Rich53 wrote: Mon Jan 18, 2021 7:43 pm
Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:08 pm Thought I would give a little history of Mcusta here on the initial page of this thread. Mcusta started close to 35 years ago. Based in Seki City Japan, Mcusta’s name is a combination of “machined custom”. Mcusta uses high quality metals and wood for their knives. All Mcusta’s use VG-10 stainless steel either alone or in a San Mai form. For those not familiar w/ the word San Mai, it simply means a “jacket”. So a VG-10 core would be the hardest stainless steel used for the edge w/ a jacket of other metal. Usually it’s a Damascus stainless but not always. I will post pictures of both.
Mcusta styles their knives from traditional Japanese style knives. Which might be one reason they aren’t as well known or popular w/ collectors. But anyone who has handled one soon finds themselves falling in love with these knives. The precision, high quality of materials and fit and finish are hard to beat unless you buy a custom made knife. Mcusta makes mostly knives that would be considered “tactical” by nature. Made of thicker blade steel and using either thumb studs or a hole in the blade for one handed deployment. They use an oiled washer system for smooth as silk action. Many knives come w/ a pocket clip.
Annually Mcusta issues a very limited quantity of custom knives and if you are lucky enough to get one and can afford it, these are amazing knives to collect. Hopefully there will be some posted later.
I am working on finding out more about Mcusta and Moki and will update information in this and a subsequent thread for Moki’s.
Start posting.
Below is a blade made w/ just a jacket of metal and the other is a jacket of 33 layer Damascus. Both knives have handles made from 33 layer Damascus stainless.
Nice! Beautiful knives.
Thanks Rich, glad you like them. Welcome aboard, in case I missed tell you that in another thread.
SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I put this one in my store today. I don’t intend to use these forums for promotion, just for education and documentation. Some day the knives in these Seki threads will be a great resource of information on knives no longer produced.
This is from the Classic Wave series. This is the first one of these that I have handled and must say I am very impressed. These are designed to be a bit lower cost than the usual Mcusta and certainly lower than the higher end Mcustas. There is no pocket clip on some of these and they usually have less expensive handles, with wood, Corian and Micarta handles. Comes with plain VG-10 blades or the more expensive San Mai 33 layer Damascus blade with VG-10 core. The usual oiled washer system for smooth deployment. These Classic Wave knives all have finger grooves and are very comfortable in hand.
This one has Cocobolo handles that are very nice. Great striation of color and very smoothly finished. Double thumb studs for ambidextrous deployment. This one does not have a pocket clip. Comes with a nylon and leather belt sheath, no Nishijin pouch.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by WillyCamaro »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:53 pm I put this one in my store today. I don’t intend to use these forums for promotion, just for education and documentation. Some day the knives in these Seki threads will be a great resource of information on knives no longer produced.
This is from the Classic Wave series. This is the first one of these that I have handled and must say I am very impressed. These are designed to be a bit lower cost than the usual Mcusta and certainly lower than the higher end Mcustas. There is no pocket clip on some of these and they usually have less expensive handles, with wood, Corian and Micarta handles. Comes with plain VG-10 blades or the more expensive San Mai 33 layer Damascus blade with VG-10 core. The usual oiled washer system for smooth deployment. These Classic Wave knives all have finger grooves and are very comfortable in hand.
This one has Cocobolo handles that are very nice. Great striation of color and very smoothly finished. Double thumb studs for ambidextrous deployment. This one does not have a pocket clip. Comes with a nylon and leather belt sheath, no Nishijin pouch.
Oh my Mark, that tis a lovely flipper indeed.
The grain on that example of cocobolo is 🔥!...
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Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Quick Steel »

I agree with Willy. The grain of the wood is beautiful.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Thanks Willy and Garry. Granted I did put mineral oil on it and wiped it down and then put Ren Wax on it, but honestly I almost skipped doing that this time, it looked so good without it. It’s the lines in this cocobolo that are so sweet and this one just feels great to hold. It’s like they grooved the handles just for my hand. A lot of thought went into this design.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Very nice Mcusta Mark! I like how the finger grooves blend right into the grain pattern giving it a wavy appearance. I know exactly what you mean when you say it feels like the grooves were design to fit your hand, that's how I feel about that big Parker I have with the tanto blade. Quite reasonably priced as well. Nice knife! 8)
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