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A small scale high-furnace is operated at Les Forges de Montréal. It is supplied with charcoal and iron ore. In order to improve the furnace’s efficiency, the ore is prepared into pellets. This ingenious tool facilitates the making of those pellets.

Iron smelting pellet maker


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A small scale high-furnace is operated at Les Forges de Montréal. It… Continue reading →


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The teko is the tool — a plain bar — that is used to hold the steel block to be forged. The said block is welded onto one end of the teko. This video shows Manabe Sumihira performing such a forge weld.

Teko-zuke


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The teko is the tool — a plain bar — that is… Continue reading →


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In early April 2011 I had the opportunity to visit a traditional village blacksmith while in the Fikkhal area, Eastern Nepal.

In both India and Nepal craftsmen are still considered as the lowest cast and I could see this man lives simply. He was extremely peaceful and very pleasant to be around.

He produces mostly tools and farm implements for locals, but when I asked him to make something for me, he obviously suggested the Gurkha’s khukri. The order is placed…

Nepalese village blacksmith


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In early April 2011 I had the opportunity to visit a traditional… Continue reading →

In preparation for tanren


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Japanese traditional sword making is bound to the use of certain types… Continue reading →


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Aku, or charred straw, is used as a coating when forging traditional steels at very high temperatures in the processes of japanese swordsmithing. The charred straw is both a light source of carbon for the steel, as well as an anti-oxidizing coating when it liquifies near welding temperature.

Making aku – Fabrication d’aku


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Aku, or charred straw, is used as a coating when forging traditional… Continue reading →