Category: Tools
Precision cut tanto kata review
video from islandblacksmith.ca: A look at some precision cut steel tanto kata based on historical japanese swords from 1200s-1500s…order a set of kata here. A kata is a pattern or form used for appreciation, study, or for reference. The exercise of accurately making kata based on the work of historical smiths is an excellent way…
Installation of Japanese Power Hammer
I brought back from Japan two power hammers: a belt hammer — on which the head is suspended by a belt, and a spring hammer — on which the head is suspended by a set of leaf springs. This is the latter. Here’s a recap of DaveJ from Crossed Heart Forge and I working on…
My hobby version of a Japanese sword forging bellows
This is a brief demonstration about a fuigo — a traditional japanese forging bellows — that I made back in 2005. What’s interesting about this fuigo is that I had made it so it can be taken apart and put back together thanks to its joinery. Authentic traditional fuigos were put together with nails. None…
Tool handle wrap
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.
Japanese style miniature forge – Mini-hodo
The forge used by swordsmiths in Japan is inconvenient for delicate work because it is deep and remote from the smith (it's made for long things) Some smiths therefore design a miniature forge they can put away and take out as they need. I checked several designs and built this one on wheels, with its…
Mei-kiri — mei = signature; kiru = to cut
Mei-kiri — mei = signature; kiru = to cut Mei-kiri is the action of “cutting” or engraving a signature onto a finished japanese sword tang. The same expression is also used in other trades.