- Joined
- Jan 13, 1999
- Messages
- 1,422
In days of old, sword smiths the world over had to get steel from guys that smelted iron from iron ore and turn this stuff into steel in a backyard furnace. The finest iron ore available in Japan came in the shape of sand.
Today, traditional Japanese sword smiths still do it this way. The Japanese got very good at this, and they don't want the skills to disapear.
While steel made from iron sand is pretty good, and adds the inherent historic and artistic value to the blade, it is not the ultimate material for sword making.
Obviously, steels available from modern factories can and do out perform the best of Medieval Japan. It is cleaner, more consistant, more compact, designed by people with PhDs in material science. Furthermore, modern smiths can use advanced heat treat techniques like digitally controlled salt baths to creat exacting temperatures and evenly distributed heating not available to traditional smiths that rely on feel.
Not to say technology is a substitute for experience, but there are a few American smiths who are very experienced. Combine that with modern technology and it's pretty hard to beat.
Traditional steel still has an aesthetic advantage, dirt in the steel rises to the surface during forging, creating a visible grain sought after by collectors. But it is no match for modern steel in the performance area -- edgeholding, strength, flexibility, etc.
There are some Japanese smiths who are very knowlegable of modern steels and heat treat. But they are not permitted by the government to use these methods under threat of losing their hard won license.
[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 03 November 1999).]
Today, traditional Japanese sword smiths still do it this way. The Japanese got very good at this, and they don't want the skills to disapear.
While steel made from iron sand is pretty good, and adds the inherent historic and artistic value to the blade, it is not the ultimate material for sword making.
Obviously, steels available from modern factories can and do out perform the best of Medieval Japan. It is cleaner, more consistant, more compact, designed by people with PhDs in material science. Furthermore, modern smiths can use advanced heat treat techniques like digitally controlled salt baths to creat exacting temperatures and evenly distributed heating not available to traditional smiths that rely on feel.
Not to say technology is a substitute for experience, but there are a few American smiths who are very experienced. Combine that with modern technology and it's pretty hard to beat.
Traditional steel still has an aesthetic advantage, dirt in the steel rises to the surface during forging, creating a visible grain sought after by collectors. But it is no match for modern steel in the performance area -- edgeholding, strength, flexibility, etc.
There are some Japanese smiths who are very knowlegable of modern steels and heat treat. But they are not permitted by the government to use these methods under threat of losing their hard won license.
[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 03 November 1999).]
