How Were Bo-Hi, Fuller Grooves, Made?

[Bruce Pennington]

Anyone know how the bo-hi was made? I've seen very old (in other words - pre-macines and presses) blades with bo-hi, and very precise.

[Grey Doffin]

2 pictures from The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and Its Appreciation by Kapp and Yoshihara (excellent book, highly recommended) below.  The tool in the 1st picture is called sen; the other picture shows a variety of tools used to cut hi.

Grey

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

Imaged below is a soe-bi which had been all but polished away over the years except for 3 to 4 cm at each end. It was recut using a chisel designed for this purpose free hand before final polish.

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Grey and Franco! Very interesting! I enjoy good craftsmanship of any kind, but I really enjoy knowing HOW it's done!

[Stegel]

Hi All,

I find this stuff interesting, so thanks for your inputs guys.

Is there any info regarding the mass produced blades from Showa period?

I would imagine they were rolled on and not pressed, but i could be wrong.

I couldn't see this craftmanship being used to churn out the type 32 or type 95 swords.

Ern