Crossed Heart Forge

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

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Author Archives: davej

NikkeiTV Interview

Vancouver based Japanese NikkeiTV stop at the museum forge on their central Vancouver Island tour. Thank you to Kaeko~san and Tag~san for your visit! Original airing date was June 5, 2022.

See more photos of the finished knives here. Watch more forge visits and interviews here.

Posted on 2022/05/03 by davej Posted in Uncategorized.

Thirty Years After The Village Blacksmith

Thirty years ago today marks my first day working under Mr. Emmanuel A. Schrock in a former livery stable in Ohio’s Amish country and embarking into the world of traditional blacksmithing techniques. In the spring of 1992, I traveled to Amish country… Continue reading →

Posted on 2022/04/29 by davej Posted in Event.

Neighbours of Qualicum Beach Article

Dave J Makes Knives for People Who Wish They Could Take Things Home From Museums Dave and his wife moved here from central Japan in 2011, wanting to live in a clean and natural small town setting with the mountains and the… Continue reading →

Posted on 2022/03/01 by davej Posted in Event.

Process – Forging a Sunnobi Forest Tanto

This blade was forged and underwent yaki-ire at the museum forge. It began as a pre-1960s (integral) cultivator tine used by a farmer a generation or more ago. It is a sunnobi (overlength) tanto in the forest pattern, charcoal-forged and water quenched… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/09/22 by davej Posted in Handcrafted Knives.

Photo Essay: Yakisugi Using Reclaimed Wood

Finishing views of a 4×16′ timberframe shed constructed as an opportunity to further develop and practice basic techniques of Japanese structural joinery. As with the kajiba project, the main inspiration for aesthetic and design is the humble Japanese inaka naya (納屋) style… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/09/15 by davej Posted in D.I.Y. Technology.

Photo Essay: Views of a Timber Frame Shed

During the summer months this year the museum forge was closed due to dry conditions, affording the time to work on other projects. This 4×16′ timberframe shed provided an opportunity to further develop and practice basic techniques of Japanese structural joinery. As… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/08/18 by davej Posted in D.I.Y. Technology.

Making a Kanna from a Paper Cutter Blade

Craftsmen often create custom mameganna (small “bean” plane) for small wood projects requiring a custom radius or access to tight spaces. In this case a large post kanna was made from a section of industrial paper cutting blade as part of a… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/06/28 by davej Posted in Handmade Tools.

Process – Forging a Mountain Kotanto

This blade was forged and underwent yaki-ire at the museum forge. It began as a pre-1960s (integral) cultivator tine used by a farmer a generation or more ago. It is a kotanto in the mountain pattern, charcoal-forged and water quenched with clay,… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/06/19 by davej Posted in Handcrafted Knives.

Kominka Field Kotanto

This project was a unique opportunity to work with legacy materials to craft a useful tool that is already an heirloom. A charcoal-forged blade, water quenched with clay and sharpened with waterstones, an outdoor knife that has the foundation of the Japanese… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/06/05 by davej Posted in Featured Work, Handcrafted Knives.

Yoroidoshi Forest Kotanto

The core of this project is a charcoal-forged blade, water quenched with clay and sharpened with waterstones, an outdoor style knife that has the foundation of the Japanese sword. The hamidashi mounting is in the rustic kura style and includes antique fittings… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/05/15 by davej Posted in Featured Work, Handcrafted Knives.

Mountain Kotanto with Antique Fittings

The core of this project is a charcoal-forged blade, water quenched with clay and sharpened with waterstones, an outdoor knife that has the foundation of the Japanese sword. The hamidashi mounting is in the rustic kura (蔵, storehouse) style and includes antique… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/04/17 by davej Posted in Featured Work, Handcrafted Knives.

Itten Forest Tanto

Itten (一転, “eat..ten”) means a turning point or turn of events, as in a story or set of circumstances. It carries the idea of a sudden or unexpected shift, return, or change, and often means a complete turn around, in skateboard terminology… Continue reading →

Posted on 2021/04/14 by davej Posted in Featured Work, Handcrafted Knives.
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How A Tanto is Made

Follow the stages of forging and mounting a hand forged blade using traditional materials and methods.

Follow the stages of mounting a hand forged blade using traditional materials and methods.

Follow the stages of mounting a hand forged blade using traditional materials and methods.

Follow the stages of hand forging and mounting a chisagatana tanto using reclaimed materials and traditional methods. (More)

A Tour de Forge

Traditional Japanese & Fusion Inspired Art Knives, hand forged from reclaimed farm equipment.

Traditional Japanese & Fusion Inspired Art Knives, hand forged from reclaimed farm equipment.

Traditional Japanese & Fusion Inspired Knives, hand forged from reclaimed farm equipment.

"Dave’s work is something I have both followed and collected since I first discovered him. They are works of deep meaning, exhibiting elegant functionality with all of the core classical elements of feudal Japan. As a collector of high-value antique arms & armour, and also as a 3-decade student of Japanese martial arts (including the katana and tanto), I first encountered Dave’s work while..." (read more)

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