- Joined
- Dec 3, 1999
- Messages
- 9,437
Thanks for the mention folks! I'm working on it!
I thought I'd mention a little bit of apples and oranges here.
IMVHO, there is a really big difference between a quench line, and a hamon created with clay. I think Danbo is correct that most any smith can create a quench line. I think it is the few sick and deranged that seek out creating a hamon.
A quench line is achieved by either quenching a blade to a limited depth in quench medium, and/or heating the edge only prior to quenching.
A hamon is created by a process of clay coating a blade in (what can be) very specific and detailed patterning prior to quenching for hardening.
I'm not saying one is better than the other, but I think it's fare to say it's a good deal more difficult to pull off a clay-coated blade and really get jaw-dropping results. I'm still working on that...the smiths that I KNOW can do it on a consistent basis? Yoshindo Yoshihara, Don Fogg, Howard Clark, Randall Grahm. These are the ones I know do it and have done it, again and again. Burt Foster is a friend of mine that is definitely carving his place in this list, as is Jason Cutter.
I KNOW there are MANY more, but these are the men that I know are doing it.
I have held that Yoshihara piece in my hands...and it is the epitome of simple, understated elegance. The hamon in it is enough to blow your mind. While overall it appears rather simple, there are few if ANY smiths that could duplicate it. It is absolutely stunning.
Like I said, I'm really working on it...and I sure appreciate the mention!
Thanks!
Nick
I thought I'd mention a little bit of apples and oranges here.
IMVHO, there is a really big difference between a quench line, and a hamon created with clay. I think Danbo is correct that most any smith can create a quench line. I think it is the few sick and deranged that seek out creating a hamon.
A quench line is achieved by either quenching a blade to a limited depth in quench medium, and/or heating the edge only prior to quenching.
A hamon is created by a process of clay coating a blade in (what can be) very specific and detailed patterning prior to quenching for hardening.
I'm not saying one is better than the other, but I think it's fare to say it's a good deal more difficult to pull off a clay-coated blade and really get jaw-dropping results. I'm still working on that...the smiths that I KNOW can do it on a consistent basis? Yoshindo Yoshihara, Don Fogg, Howard Clark, Randall Grahm. These are the ones I know do it and have done it, again and again. Burt Foster is a friend of mine that is definitely carving his place in this list, as is Jason Cutter.
I KNOW there are MANY more, but these are the men that I know are doing it.
I have held that Yoshihara piece in my hands...and it is the epitome of simple, understated elegance. The hamon in it is enough to blow your mind. While overall it appears rather simple, there are few if ANY smiths that could duplicate it. It is absolutely stunning.
Like I said, I'm really working on it...and I sure appreciate the mention!
Thanks!
Nick
