- Joined
- Jan 10, 2010
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- 1,818
Here is a project that is very exciting to me. In a way it will probably be one of those projects that I look back on and say 'everything changed after that'. I've been wanting to do a more traditional Japanese blade for a long time.. but hesitated because I've always felt that you had to have a certain mindset to approach it. Well.. I'm taking a Japanese metal work course in a couple of months with Patrick Hastings and I've been switching gears lately trying to get into this mindset.. both from an artistic stand point as well as craftsmanship. For example.. I've started teaching myself some sumi-e brush painting. May seem like an odd way to practice knife making.. but it requires hand control and an eye for Japanese aesthetics. So I started with my camera.. taking pictures of winter vegetation and overexposing scenes to create sumi-like images and trying to cultivate an 'eye' for this kind of art. For example:
And then some practice with the brush.. bamboo is a good way to start
Maybe some damascus chopsticks to really set the tone
And then a small sculpture inspired by the work of Jim Kelso...
I also found myself temporarily in possession of a Edo period katana that I was able to fully document with my camera and ink:
And finally I started making a knife! I've recently discovered the geometry of the moroha-zukuri style tanto and was captivated by it. During my research on the style I came upon Stuart Branson's recent take on it.. and if I can come even close to what he did I will be honored.
Blade forged from Aldo 1075 with 15n20 core. It looks hollow ground in this picture.. but it's flat:
I made some mokume-gane for the habaki from copper and nickel. The intention is to do a deep etch for texture but then a uniform dark/brown patina across the alloys:
I then decided that I needed to make traditional tools to do the shirasaya. Knowing myself and my skill with the mill.. I knew I would never get an accurate recess in the wood using machines. So I made a couple of saya nomi (saya chisels) as well as a special chisel for engraving my signature in the nakago. This picture shows these things.. although not that well. You can also see the osage orange that will be the shirasaya.
And then the habaki. This went well for a change.
And a closeup of the blade with pre-hand polish finish:
Anyway... this change in 'mindset' doesn't mean that I'm going to start making Japanese work all the time. Mostly it just means I'm going to slow down, immerse myself in the project, and use more traditional hand-tools when it makes sense. One thing I've been finding lately is that my desire for bigger and better machines has been a hindrance in many ways. I've slowly been converting more and more to the use of more traditional methods and I find that things become more efficient not messing with set-up all the time, I spend less on disposable tooling i.e. cut off wheels, drill bits and end mills, and it's altogether more enjoyable.
And then some practice with the brush.. bamboo is a good way to start
Maybe some damascus chopsticks to really set the tone
And then a small sculpture inspired by the work of Jim Kelso...
I also found myself temporarily in possession of a Edo period katana that I was able to fully document with my camera and ink:
And finally I started making a knife! I've recently discovered the geometry of the moroha-zukuri style tanto and was captivated by it. During my research on the style I came upon Stuart Branson's recent take on it.. and if I can come even close to what he did I will be honored.
Blade forged from Aldo 1075 with 15n20 core. It looks hollow ground in this picture.. but it's flat:
I made some mokume-gane for the habaki from copper and nickel. The intention is to do a deep etch for texture but then a uniform dark/brown patina across the alloys:
I then decided that I needed to make traditional tools to do the shirasaya. Knowing myself and my skill with the mill.. I knew I would never get an accurate recess in the wood using machines. So I made a couple of saya nomi (saya chisels) as well as a special chisel for engraving my signature in the nakago. This picture shows these things.. although not that well. You can also see the osage orange that will be the shirasaya.
And then the habaki. This went well for a change.
And a closeup of the blade with pre-hand polish finish:
Anyway... this change in 'mindset' doesn't mean that I'm going to start making Japanese work all the time. Mostly it just means I'm going to slow down, immerse myself in the project, and use more traditional hand-tools when it makes sense. One thing I've been finding lately is that my desire for bigger and better machines has been a hindrance in many ways. I've slowly been converting more and more to the use of more traditional methods and I find that things become more efficient not messing with set-up all the time, I spend less on disposable tooling i.e. cut off wheels, drill bits and end mills, and it's altogether more enjoyable.
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