Author Archives: Pierre Nadeau

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sumi-kiri, the cutting of the charcoal by japanese swordsmith apprentices, as poorly performed by me. In this video, one strike out of ten is ok, while all others made me frown… size wrong.. size wrong.. swing wrong.. size wrong.. strength wrong.. size wrong.. wrong angle.. and so on.

It is said it takes three years to learn this properly. I think they’re being optimistic.

Sumi-kiri – Charcoal cutting

Sumi-kiri, the cutting of the charcoal by japanese swordsmith apprentices, as poorly… Continue reading →

There are several ways to wrap a tool handle, usually with plain rope. I'm presenting one here, used on the teko, the bar used for tanren.

Tool handle wrap

There are several ways to wrap a tool handle, usually with plain… Continue reading →