Weapon Masters Discovery channel Katana

I

Ilovetoolsteel

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Jul 28, 2003
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Did anybody catch this show on the discovery channel?
They showed step by step how a Japanese sword is made then made a modern one with sword maker Howard Clark.
The host of the show did all the work Howard just supervised him.

In testing, The modern sword faired a little better in resisting damage.

The japanese sword lost a couple of huge chunks from the edge when they struck a samauri helmet The modern sword was unharmed

The Japanese sword was a little sharper but you might be able to chalk that up to the master sword maker VS. tv show host with unfortunate facial hair.
 
I caught that show! I have to say that the premise was original, and, as far as packing information into a 60 minute (with commercials) period goes, it was quite good with some great heat treating stuff....even if the host does have unfortunate facial hair.
-Mark
 
yes it was very good. i watched it and allmost missed new years. did any one tape it :).
 
I also happened to watch the show. I thought the first 40 minutes were really interesting and original. I was unfortunately unimpressed with the head to head test of the two swords. Personally, I would have rather seen more footage of traditional Japanese sword making or modern sword making for that matter. Anyway, I'm interested to see how other episodes of the show turn out.
 
Yes, Howard Clark rules :thumbup: :thumbup: I almost fell out of my chair when I hit that one with the remote. We had a slew of kids here that weren't so happy with me for a few minutes in regards to my choice of shows to watch ;)

I don't know who the host was but I thought he did a pretty good job. Watching him quench the katana I got the feeling that wasn't the first time he's done that. Either that or Howard coached him through about a dozen dry runs prior to the real one.

I thought it was pretty comical a few times. It looked like Howard had about enough of the hosts wise cracks but always ended up cracking a smile.

Good Show :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
David Wesner said:
I thought it was pretty comical a few times. It looked like Howard had about enough of the hosts wise cracks but always ended up cracking a smile.
Click to expand...

"So we have a bunch fo guys in blue hats, and a bunch of guys in red hats...."

I had recorded it on the DVR and managed to finish watching it last night. Seemed like pretty decent coverage of subject material given that they only had an hour even if it was a bit hokey at times.


-d
 
Is this this the one someone was telling me about last night where they fired a bullet at the sword edge on?

-Page
 
Yes ,of course . You MUST test every blade you make by shooting it with bullets !! That reminds me , I have to look again at the wonderfull movie "Ran" . Lots of swords and guns .If you've never seen it check it out !!!
 
I saw it and thought it was pretty cool :) The comic relief was kinda annoying but to the uninformed it probably helps with the oversimplifying of things. I did like how they explained how the polishing of the swords affected the swords reaction to the bullet strikes.
 
I would have liked the tests a whole lot better if they had a sword that Howard Clark made himself against the traditional tamahagane sword. The hosts sword was very crude, and what geometry I did see (from the hi speed bullet cam) wasn't great.

I also felt that there were too many excuses being made for the hosts sword as to not hurt his feelings. "Oh yeah this sword is just as good. Oh it cut most of the way through... But lets blame that on the polish. *asskiss asskiss*"

I have read that Phill Hartsfields blades have a belt finish and slide effortlessly through tatami.
 
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