Progress...

[@MichaelR58]

I'm sure you will give it the love it deserves, thanks for sharing YAH bless brother !

[@dongkhamet1351]

I don't know whether this may be a concern but I heard from a knifemaker that the advesives in painter's tape can promote oxidation on steel. His advice is to vaseline the blade before applying the tape and only have the blade taped while you are working on it. I have not personally noticed this issue but I am not so rigorous in my amateur efforts. After hearing you speak about the importance of this commission, as well as how you spent 4hrs on the taping, the Tamahagane steel and all - I remembered this knife maker's advice. It might be worth peeling back a little of the tape from time to time to check for any effect on the blade finish. If there is any tarnish of course it will polish out, and this might finally be a faster course than repeatedly retaping the blade. I don't know! and you may already have a better notion, but something tells me it's worth sharing the info just in case

[@8thsinner]

I didn't even spot the damage under the monoichi before. I can see what you mean about the kanji, the whole tang just screams master piece of art like doesn't it.

[@armoredsweatpants3997]

That’s some damage, you’ve got your work cut out for you.

[@wyatthines153]

damn thats gonna be tough without makin a big secondary v edge

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Pretty nasty chip. Im really curious how the end result will turn out.