Looking for a traditional sword maker around 509

J

Jazrek

Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
1
Hello, I was wondering if there are any traditional sword makers around the WA area. I mean the whole take ore smelt it, hammer it by hand, sand and polish by hand. As little modern techniques as possible. Or for this experience I would have to travel to Europe?

I want to do as much of it as possible my self with the blacksmiths guidance. I do understand the time, patience and money that would go into this. I am not looking for classes so to speak, but more one on one. I am not wanting to open my own blacksmith shop. I want a sword made by me, or as much as possible by me, from start to finish as they did back then. And no I have not watched to many movies, this is something I wanted to do since I was a teenager but didn't have the time, patience or money.

Please let me know. Thank you.
 
Jazrek said:
I want to do as much of it as possible my self with the blacksmiths guidance.
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Dave Lisch has a school and likely might be able to help you....be forewarned that it will likely cost you almost twice as much to make your own sword as to buy one from a qualified 'smith....and we are talking $3,000 to $7,000 to buy one. Do the math, and see if you still want to proceed.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
But I seriously doubt Mr. Lisch or any other knife/sword maker smelts out iron ore, prospects out the ores for other elements (Mn, Cr, V, Ni, etc) used in the making of quality steel, creates steel from the raw iron and other elements, etc.

They BUY their steel ready to be worked in some manner. I don't think any knife/sword maker has smelted out their own iron and made their own steel since probably the middle ages, say like the 1300s or early 1400s.

Methinks devilkin strings.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
But I seriously doubt Mr. Lisch or any other knife/sword maker smelts out iron ore, prospects out the ores for other elements (Mn, Cr, V, Ni, etc) used in the making of quality steel, creates steel from the raw iron and other elements, etc.

They BUY their steel ready to be worked in some manner. I don't think any knife/sword maker has smelted out their own iron and made their own steel since probably the middle ages, say like the 1300s or early 1400s.

Methinks devilkin strings.
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Actually, you don't know what you are talking about.

Bill Burke has led a couple smelts in the PNW and produces his own tamehagane. Dave and Bill are good friends, for the right amount of money, it would readily get done!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
All the government certified modern Japanese swordsmiths make their own steel (tamehagane) and forge/temper etc their own swords.
Rich
 
I was just going to say this. I'm too lazy to find the post, but there is a thread with great pics of the process.



Are you looking for a western sword or an eastern sword?


Taking the iron ore sand and smelting it in a kiln is a process I associate with Japanese swords, but you did say ore, and mention Europe.
 
If the previously mentioned $10k - $20k is too expensive, there are different groups who get together and smelt iron ore. Check iforgeiron as there is a specific sub forum that deals with those processes. You have probably seen the documentary on the making of the Viking sword?
 
These days, there's a pretty good handful (and growing in number) of guys smelting their own ore. A number of 'em hang out on Don Fogg's forum.
 
Kohai999 said:
Actually, you don't know what you are talking about.

Bill Burke has led a couple smelts in the PNW and produces his own tamehagane. Dave and Bill are good friends, for the right amount of money, it would readily get done!
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Old-time swordsmiths didn't make their own steel - best to leave that to the specialists, who can produce large quantities and benefit from economy of scale. Old-time swordsmiths often only made the blades, which were then mounted by a specialist. Depending on where and when, you can add a specialist blade polisher in there, too.

Modern swordsmiths are much more likely to do everything themselves. Usually not making the steel, but sometimes they do.
 
Rich S said:
All the government certified modern Japanese swordsmiths make their own steel (tamehagane) and forge/temper etc their own swords.
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They buy their tamahagane, which is made by Hitachi Metals. See, e.g., http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/...Japanese_sword_the_science_and_technology.pdf

They will make their own oroshigane, but that doesn't involve smelting. They start with iron (not ore), and carburise, and produce steel. See, e.g., http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/steel.html
 
Timo Nieminen said:
They buy their tamahagane, which is made by Hitachi Metals. See, e.g., http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/...Japanese_sword_the_science_and_technology.pdf

They will make their own oroshigane, but that doesn't involve smelting. They start with iron (not ore), and carburise, and produce steel. See, e.g., http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/steel.html
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Dude,

Seriously.

You are attempting to correct Richard "The Japanese Sword Index" Stein PhD.

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

Just stuff it....

Likely pretty sure that he doesn't need to be corrected. The Japanese swordsmiths DO make their own steel by forging the tamehagane into a billet. If you want to split hairs on the correct use of one specific word so you can look smarter than the rest of the kids in the class, there is likely an engineering forum or two that will welcome you with open arms.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The OP wants to be involved in the smelting of the ore. The difference between smelting and making steel from iron matters in that context.
 
Timo Nieminen said:
The OP wants to be involved in the smelting of the ore. The difference between smelting and making steel from iron matters in that context.
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Ok, you are right. Happy?

The OP hasn't posted back since dropping the genius first post that they laid out.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Mike Bell. He lives in Washington, and does the whole nine yards.
http://dragonflyforge.com/

He has forgotten more about making Japanese swords than most could ever learn. His son works with him.

They also run a school for sword making. So, if you are willing to pay them, and not to embarrassed now (why would you ask to find someone to help you do something and when people provide resources claim that the resources surely can't do what they were reported to do? Doesn't make sense. If no one has done this since before the Middle Ages, why the hell would you ask to find someone with experience to help you do it?).
 
kevin -the professor said:
Mike Bell. He lives in Washington, and does the whole nine yards.
http://dragonflyforge.com/

He has forgotten more about making Japanese swords than most could ever learn. His son works with him.

They also run a school for sword making. So, if you are willing to pay them, and not to embarrassed now (why would you ask to find someone to help you do something and when people provide resources claim that the resources surely can't do what they were reported to do? Doesn't make sense. If no one has done this since before the Middle Ages, why the hell would you ask to find someone with experience to help you do it?).
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I think they're located in southern Oregon, but for what the OP wants to accomplish, that is a very short trip to take from Washington. I've had the pleasure of meeting the Dragonfly Forge guys a couple of times at the OKCA show, they're super cool. They were also the first people to yell, "Don't touch the blade!" as a reached my greasy little grasping phalanges out toward one of their gleaming, mesmerizing katanas. :D

Not sure if they do European stuff, but I'm damn sure they could do it like a boss.
 
This guy's first post was this question, immediately after he joined, and that was his last activity on the forum.
Pretty sure a cat with that kind of attention span has no business trying to make swords from dirt.
 
Salem Straub said:
This guy's first post was this question, immediately after he joined, and that was his last activity on the forum.
Pretty sure a cat with that kind of attention span has no business trying to make swords from dirt.
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Unless they happen to be busy making swords from dirt ;) :p
 
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