slav
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Post by slav on Oct 24, 2007 2:12:15 GMT
Hi all. Well, I'm back at it again. The forge and files have once again called my name... So I've started a new project. I have decided to make a traditional-style Tanto for my Kendo Sensei (who is Japanese, btw). It will be an end-of-the-semester gift of appreciation. I've already forged and filed down the blank, and have yet to quench, temper, and finish it. Hira-zukuri with slight niku, 6" nagasa, in monosteel 1095. Here it is, so far: I etched a quick faux-hamon on one side, just to get an idea of the proportions. I plan on inscribing the Kanji for "Sensei" as the mei: And here's an idea of the finished product I'm going for with this piece: I've got a few more decisions to make as the project progesses. I'm still debating adding a bo-hi, and what kind of hamon to go for. Also I don't know whether I should present it as a bare blade, mounted, or in shirasaya. Any suggestions would be appreciated. What do you think?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2007 2:42:29 GMT
Looks good, why etch a fake hamon first? Just clay coat and let it do it's thing.
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slav
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Post by slav on Oct 24, 2007 2:58:20 GMT
Haha i know, i know! If i had my own brand-spankin-new forge like you I would... See, the thing is I have to really schmooze to get access to the school's forge. And even then its hit or miss. (im not an art/metalworking student, so technically, im not allowed anywhere near a forge.) I may just end up having to build another coffee-can forge and set up shop in the parking-lot ;D Then again, the police would probably frown upon pounding and waving around a piece of red-hot steel in public. Let alone the fact that the steel is actually a knife... see my predicament... Also, I'm still deciding on a bo-hi. And that might be hard to do on quenched steel Trust me, im itching to clay the sucker!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2007 23:14:29 GMT
looks good so far. personally, i'd give it to him in shirasaya, so that he may customize it if he wishes. But, make sure you show us the final product!
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slav
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Post by slav on Nov 27, 2007 7:05:39 GMT
Normalized, clay-quenched, and tempered...finally! the clay coat: Oddly enough, I actually ended up breaking down and using the fireplace at home for the quenching. It is the wood-burning stove type, and got it nice and red, surprisingly. Water-quenched, and tempered on the good ol' oven. The hamon after grinding off the scale: Polish and mounting to come. Oh yeah and I have to make a habaki.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 27, 2007 7:24:31 GMT
Impressive. Nice work, slav.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2007 15:33:55 GMT
Looks promising, cannot wait to see for the polish.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2007 7:04:10 GMT
superb! good for you, I'm sure your sensei will be very impressed.
By the way, what does the clay coating consist of?
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 9, 2007 17:41:50 GMT
The clay coating I use is High Temp. Furnace Cement softened in water. It works fairly well for my purposes. I have yet to find/buy a more professional medium such as Satanite. BTW, an update... Mekugi-ana drilled, more agressive etch (just to see the hamon better), also the beginnings of a Habaki (from copper tubing, hammered flat).
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Dec 10, 2007 23:00:20 GMT
So where exactly did you learn to forge? Are you a blacksmith, a dabbler, or someone who just has a go? I'm intrigued. As someone who is learning myself, it would be cool to know where you picked up the know-how.
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 11, 2007 0:25:38 GMT
No, I'm just the kind of guy that tries new skills all the time, and force myself to learn about it/persist until I am pretty damn good at it.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Dec 13, 2007 11:02:54 GMT
Cool. So you're self taught?
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 16, 2007 20:44:42 GMT
Yep. I basically just read up on it online and in books, bought a long bar stock, and started crapping out tantos, and they've been getting better and better ever since.
I really wish I had somebody near me that is a bladesmith (japanese-style), and could teach me some things...but there is nobody that I know of.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2007 21:22:54 GMT
Where you at Slavia?
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 26, 2007 18:23:47 GMT
I'm in Lexington, KY. Well, I finally got around to doing a final polish on the tanto. I still have some work to do on the nakago, though. Here are some pics: I just realized that I am taking longer to finish this stupid little tanto than it took a Japanese smith to finish an entire katana! lol ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2007 1:12:55 GMT
Looking good.
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slav
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Post by slav on Jan 1, 2008 8:54:55 GMT
I just did some cutting tests with the tanto. I'm quite impressed. The first target was a fairly firm-walled Hydrogen-Peroxide bottle. Here's a vid: The end result: A clean slice all the way through! I also went for a couple heavier targets; a cranberry juice and a large detergent container: The tanto held it's own even against these targets. Not enough inertia to push it all the way through, but very clean cuts regardless. Note that--as seen in the video--the tanto retained it's edge, and after these cuts could still slice paper with ease. I am quite pleased.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2008 16:53:11 GMT
Nice work looks good and sharp.
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Post by themaster293 on Jan 1, 2008 19:19:08 GMT
I bet you don't really want to give it so your Sensei any more.
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slav
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Post by slav on Jan 1, 2008 19:35:09 GMT
Hahaha you're exactly right. But I am going to go through with it.
I'm definitely making one for myself though.
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