Learning the craft.

[obiwanknabbe]

As I go further and further down the smithing rabbit hole, I find myself searching for illusive answers to some technical forging questions. Something I've seen a few times in kantei are descriptions of "controlled nei and noi" from various smiths. I'm wondering how this control was executed. 

 

Are there any good books or papers that dive into the deep technical "how" of ancient forging techniques?

[The Forest Ninja]

I got a few books, but they're in Japanese. Need to translate them. 

 

I'm waiting for warmer weather to light up my charcoal forges so I can finally start forge welding my Tamagahane piece into a blade.

Also hoping my Hamon skills improve. I've tried 3 quenches and only the last one had some Hamon showing here and there. It's a fine

art of proper clay application and good temperature to get it right. I'm gonna try a lot more quenching this year.

[ROKUJURO]

Kurt,

I believe you are speaking of NIE and NIOI?

The "control" of these martensitic phenomena comes from experience, and I don't think that there are specific books on it. If you have the correct steel composition (= low alloy high carbon steel) and the fitting heat-treatment, you can get what you are aiming for, BUT the "control" is not more than a potter has over his running glazes. 
You may call that a "controlled coincidence".

I have the most success with old (pre- or early industrial era) steel or iron, and of course with self-made bloomery iron.  

[Brian]

Maybe of interest.

Tatara_and_the_Japanese_sword_the_science_and_technology.pdfFetching info... Study_of_Microstructures_on_Cross Section_of_Japanese_sword.pdfFetching info...