The Mystique of the Hamon

It's going to be brilliant I'm sure.

John - Id forgotten about that frame handled Bowie, but definitely not that sword. Good ness. :thumbup:

Thanks for posting your work.

Seth
 
Lorien - I know you've had the pleasure of handling more of Stuart's knives than most, but this one is really special in person. I know this is a Hamon thread and this one's spectacular, the sapele saya has to be seen to be believed.

I feel extremely lucky to have it.
 
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I have a hard time imagining being exposed to too many photos of Stuart Branson knives, (wish I had more :) );



 
I find them as frustrating as they are beautiful! I keep swearing I will stop doing them but never do!

A couple of my better ones:

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I loves me some good hamon action! Waiting for Mr. Lamey to show us some of his.
 
Thanks Seth for your photos. I really enjoyed them.

I've always like these hamon shots. This first one is interesting to me as it illustrates the difference between a water quench and a P50 quench.
These are very similar knives in all respects except for the quench medium.. The upper is water, the lower is Parks 50. Each has its own character.



And this one I quite liked.

 
Just a heads up, the vast majority of the hamons shown thus far are EXTREMELY weak compared to what the Japanese do.....they KNOW what they are doing, how and why.

Here is a katana from Ted Tenold's website by Yoshindo and Kuniie Yoshihara....instead of the usual BS, just look and TRY to understand. See how the line does not go much past 1/3rd of the width of the blade. This should be a lightbulb going off in your heads. The hamon are controlled and very much alive, subdued, yet strong. The proportion is correct, as is the finish, which was dictated by the sword as much as the polisher:



All this said, if there is only one convert who can see what has been really flopped up until this point in their making, and can attempt to shoot for something so much more, it will have been worth the vitriol from those simply too ignorant and unable to attempt that leap towards greatness.

Just so you don't think there is unfair bias, here is a Don Fogg Bowie that displays very similar control and purpose...less variation in the line, but hopefully, you get the point:


Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Stuart,

Thanks for the inspiration. Ive always found the choji hamon on that bush sword striking.

STeven -- would that we all had generations of swordsmiths to teach us the whats hows and whys of traditional smithing instead of trying to figure it out for ourselves in our garages :)

Both examples you posted and your keen insight are most welcome. Thanks for inspiring us to be greater than ourselves.

Seth
 


Sublime.
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la mort ou tché tché
 
Small but ,it s BURT FOSTER

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la mort ou tché tché
 
One maker that truly understands hamon is Jesus Hernandez. Here's one of many available for viewing on his website

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There are many more wonderful examples on his website. If you're unfamiliar with his work you owe it to yourself to take a look - www.jhbladesmith.com
 
HAMON...... something that has been an obsession of mine for quite some time now. Always trying to better understand the "how and why." It's been the biggest love/hate relationship I've ever had. :eek: ;)

Don Fogg is undoubtedly THE smith that got me headed down the path. :)

In regard to what STeven posted- I doubt there are too many (if any) western makers that have the delusion of thinking they are doing something on par with work like Yoshindo's. I think most folks know it's comparing apples to tangerines--- the Japanese smiths are working with tamahagane, heating in a coal fire, quenching in water, utilizing a specialized polisher that uses techniques VASTLY different than those used by us western redneck folk with our monosteel blades, sand paper, and etching solutions. Not to mention many of those smiths are using techniques that have been handed down and improved upon, through MANY generations.

So for me personally--- do I admire and want to emulate what the Japanese can do? Yes! :cool: :thumbup: Do I think I can do what they do, or try to copy their work? Heck no! :eek:


Here are some shots I pulled from my fototime account. There isn't a single one that I didn't feel could be better in some respect... but they still represent a hell of a lot of blood, sweat, and LOTS OF tears. ;) :)

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some more...

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BTW- just as an fyi, only one of these was water quenched--- the first big "brut de forge" camp knife.
 
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Nick -- quite a compendium of hamon there. I've been waiting for you to post. Exacting as your standards are, as you say, you're always striving for more, especially for something as elusive and ephemeral as the perfect hamon.

I'd cry too--tears of joy--to own any of these fine examples. Great Stuff! :p:thumbup:

Seth
 
Couldn't have said it better Nick

AND those are all freaking gorgeous. It's your blades and method that got me sitting there for 12-24 hours etching and polishing! I am not sure if I should thank you or curse you haha ;)
 
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