Island Forge: Part 6 – Interior Walls & Shutters

This series of photo essays will document the preparation, construction, and set up of a simple swordsmith style kajiba (鍛冶場, forge building) from the ground up. The main inspiration for aesthetic, form, and technique is the humble Japanese inaka naya (納屋) style… Continue reading →

Can we just take a moment?

Let’s just take a moment, shall we? Take it. Taken. Done. Sights and sounds featuring stones, moss, rain, bamboo, birds, cypress, and a frog. This area was a muddy thistle patch three days ago.
more of the island forge kajiba project

Island Forge: Part 5 – Tsuchikabe

Island Forge: Part 4 – Yakisugi

Island Forge: Part 3 – Roof

Island Forge: Part 2 – Timber Frame

Island Forge: Part 1 – Foundation

Eyes on the Spine: say No to the kink, and Yes to the flow

One of the most common mistakes when attempting to recreate a Japanese classical style tanto is to caricature or over exaggerate certain design elements while entirely missing others. The Japanese aesthetic is subtle and nuanced, millimeter differences can make or break the… Continue reading →

Building Simple Charcoal Forges

Building two examples of quick and simple sideblast charcoal forges with found and reclaimed materials to demonstrate that lack of equipment and materials should not be a major obstacle.

Ways to improve and expand on these concepts include: mixing copious amounts of chopped straw or charcoal powder (6:2) into the clay to make it refractory, using high temperature kiln bricks, making the walls higher and longer, using the clay to narrow the tuyere to about 1sun/3cm right where it enters at the bottom side of the forge, putting a barrier up to protect the fuigo (and allowing a shorter pipe), allowing the clay to dry before lighting the forge, etc.

Learn more about fuigo, a full traditional swordsmith forge build, or a smaller tanto forge design.

Crossed Heart Forge

Charcoal forged classical tanto & fusion style takedown knives crafted by hand from reclaimed steel and natural materials using traditional techniques.

Author Archives: davej