Early Paul Chen Tiger Tanto (1051-GT) Bought new in April of 2000 and it has stayed in its cloth bag and storage box ever since, never used, blade in excellent shape.The silvered cap pommel (kashira) and scabbard cap (kojiri) are decorated with a tiger in relief with the fuchi, saya fittings and menuki in a pine tree motif. The saya is deeply lacquered in black. A utility knife (kosuka) is fitted. The blade grind is in the hira-zukuri (no ridge line) style fullered in the koshi-hi style ( one short fuller to the habaki). Blade length about 11", overall length about 15".In the mid-1990s—before developing widely known, continuous runs like the Shinto series—Paul Chen released a highly acclaimed limited-edition of 8 distinct Japanese Tantos. Tiger, Plum Blossom, Crane, Dog, Wave, Hollyhock, Dragon and Butterfly (1051-GT thru 1058-GT).Rumored production numbers are exceptionally low, ranging from fewer than 100 units for certain models to less than 250 for others. Each knife featured a hand-forged, edge-tempered blade (widely believed to be high-carbon !095 steel)with a distinct, beautiful hamon (temper-line). Since each blade was hand forged and finished each blade varied a little in length and thickness. These early pieces used authentic materials like genuine ray skin (samegawa), traditional Japanese cotton handle wraps, and cast bronze, copper, or buffalo horn fittings. Each finished piece came with a cloth bag wooden storage case.
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