Smith Forge

Brian Thanks for the links. My main goal is to be as close to the real thing as possible which is why I asked that question. I figured I would ask the people who know the most about Japanese blades. I guess my questions are merely technical in nature, in regards to crafting the blades themselves. Thanks again

Ok question. I just finished forging a katana the total length is about 31" with a nagasa of about 25 to 26". Is this a decent length for a katana, as I feel anything bigger is a waste of time and energy for the anyone using it. I have seen some blades with demensions like that. And I am sorry that I do nto have any pictures of the blade as my camera is broke. So in short I am asking what are some of the standard lengths of katana? Or do I have a large Wakizashi?

Thank you I appriciate the kind words.

Thanks Brian.

Wow again I am not sure how to take some of the posts in here. I think I made a mistake coming here. I guess I am used to getting warm welcomes and people wanting to help me understand an metal working form that is in my opinion creates the most pefect swords on the planet, ever. I am not sure if I have said something wrong in my past posts? I do what I do I do nto misrepresent myself. I make functional Western Style Japanese Blades, that to me are works of art. And no I do not have to go to Japan to Learn Bladesmithing, they learned thru trial and error and that is how I am going to do it, they used what they had which was not much. I feel that I am preserving the spirit of the Japanese Blade.

Thanks and I do enjoy these forums. I work very hard both in the shop and out of the shop reading and rereading information on Nihonto. I decided long ago to stop making knives as it was not a passion for me. The Katana is a passion for me. I strive to understand the process's, ie the hamon and how one can acheive spectacular results. And yes i did forget to mention I choose to use W-2 and W-1 tool steels as according to some smiths this steel is the closest to tamahagane in most respects, though the steel does have some alloying in it but the the hamon results are wonderful. My site has and shows some of my work. So thanks for the much warmer welcome.

Oh I forgot to say. Brian thanks for the comments and I am not put off, as i am not trying to pass what i do as the genuine thing. I just want to make sure I am doing it the right way as close as I can get. Nothing more just simplicity. Oh by the way I do enjoy reading the posts in this forum as I have stated I am a learning machine, and I look for as much information as I can. So thanks and no I am not pust off, I will defend myself if need be. And I love this forum

Well I am sort of taken back by all this. I started with about two years of research on Nihonto just to try to get an understanding of the blades themselves. From start to finish on a blade. I pretty much knew most of what you fellows are talking about. And really all I wanted to do was come in here to learn more about Nihonto. Not to get into a pissing match on what I kow versus what I do not know. I personally do not care about peoples opinions on the subject I am merely looking for facts. And if this hurts anyones feeling then I am sorry in advance but I have a goal and I plan on acheiving the goal. I will one day make a traditional blade from tamahagane using as best to my ability, tradtional methods. So if I ruffled some feathers in here, please forgive but in all respect, get over it I am here to learn.

Oh sorry I did not read your post all the way. Today in Japan Nihonto is used to describe antique blades if I am not mistaken. All swords made in Japan today are modern swords Gendatio if my memory serves me well. And if I am off on my assumption please some one chime in here ad correct me as I want to be as historically correct as possible.

Thru the study of Nihonto, which helps me aspire to be a better bladesmith, that is why I am here the results of the past masters helps me to create the best possible blades. That pretty much sums it up. I have several refernce books on the craft and I have the video that Yoshindo Yashihara did back in the 90's. And there is tons of information online. My methods are the Kamakura period using one of the five traditions, which is Bizen for creating my blades. I follow several togoshi as far as polish goes, Ted Tenold being one of them. I use Brian from Ronnin Swords for my fittings and such. I pretty much do my own polish and habaki creation. So I am tied to Nihonto as much as I am tied to Gendatio or Western blades.

Oh one other side not there as several Polishers in here. I may have some questions for them.

Thanks for the warm welcome and no I did not study in Japan. I am self taught with the help of several Japanese Style Bladesmiths. As for Western and Nihonto, there is no comparison at all, but one has to remember that there are several hundred Japanese Bladesmiths in Japan now who make modern blades, and this is what I do I make Japanese Style Blades using western methods. But to me and several others Western style Japanese Blades are just as beautiful. As for a matter of fact there as sveral dozen Japanese who make swords who have moved to China so they can make more than two Blades a month. But like I said no comparison at all.

Hi guys and gals. I have beenlurking in this forum for some time and I love it. I have learned alot on Nihonto and fittings. Oh sorry let me introduce myself. My name is John Smith ( Really I have ID LOL ) I am a bladesmith in Cascade MD I specialize in Japanese Style Blades. Which is why I love this forum. So I just wanted to post and say hi and to start getting aquainted with the members. I have a web site http://www.smith-forge.org I try to keep it updated as often as possible. I also have a bunch of videos up on youtube under the username smithforge. So like I said hello and salutations.