Another fascinating and informative HOK video on Nihonto blade making

[Lewis B]

A very detailed account of modern sword making processes. Some things I noted was the use of old broken sword pieces forge welded into the construction of the blade. And the use of a paper fan the precisely control the temperature of the forge and thus the blade, before yaki-ire. It's seeing modern processes that really makes one appreciate what the old guys could achieve.

 

 

 

[Hokke]

I have seen a number of these videos over the years but this is the first time I have seen it done like this. Dont get me wrong, I dont frown on modernizations like power hammers and boric acid, but I have to admit the belt sander and angle grinder took something away for me. Maybe it just feels too modernized? ....I dunno, cant really put my finger on it. 

[Lewis B]

5 hours ago, Hokke said:

I have seen a number of these videos over the years but this is the first time I have seen it done like this. Dont get me wrong, I dont frown on modernizations like power hammers and boric acid, but I have to admit the belt sander and angle grinder took something away for me. Maybe it just feels too modernized? ....I dunno, cant really put my finger on it. 

I hear you. At least he uses charcoal. I guess when you're a one man operation some concessions must be made. But how much is too much? While I can understand and forgive the power hammer, the use of a belt sander to shape the sword when a Sen is traditionally used was too much. Has Mori Sukemitsu destroyed any chance he might have had of attaining the level of Mukansa?

[AlexiG]

Thanks for sharing!

 

It was nice to see this at length and compare to what others do.

 

Would have loved to see the blade after proper polishing. Not sure the sword pieces add much but it is also done in other crafts. Some bonsai potters also used pieces of antique broken pots in their clay mix.

 

Alexi