Mini Takewari (Bamboo Splitter)

$275

A small edged tool that doubles as a bamboo splitter and single beveled utility knife. Forged from reclaimed leaf spring steel salvaged from a Vancouver Island beach.

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Description

A small edged tool that doubles as a bamboo splitter and single beveled utility knife. Forged from reclaimed leaf spring steel uncovered on a Vancouver Island beach after a huge 50-year storm.

The steel for this piece came from a hidden beach site that was uncovered in a massive storm the likes of which are not seen more often than every 50 years. The leaf springs were highly corroded on the outside but quality steel remained at the core.

Satoyama are the managed forest areas that border the cultivated fields and the mountain wilds. Historically they provided fertilizer, firewood, edible plants, mushrooms, fish, and game, and supported local industries such as farming, construction, and charcoal making. The interaction of wetlands and streams are an important component of the satoyama landscape.

Takewari come in various sizes, but this version is smaller than most and has an integral forged and lacquered cord wrap handle that showcases the decades of corrosion of the original spring. The straight-edged single bevel is right-handed and shaped similarly to a wood chisel.

The blade was hand forged in a charcoal fire, shaped with files, differentially hardened using traditional swordsmith style water quench yaki-ire, and polished by hand with water stones. The ura has a slight koba edge. The handle was forged integrally from the same steel as the blade and is wrapped with cotton cord and sealed with several layers of natural urushi lacquer. The blade cover is made from Nootka Cypress. Other than the steel, all of the materials used in this knife are plant based.

Blade construction is muku/hon-yaki with a kiriha-zukuri profile and hira/kaku mune. The blade is about 3″ long and 1″ deep with a 1/8″ spine, overall length is 7″. Overall Length with the blade cover is 7.5″.

Specifications

長さ/刃長 Nagasa: 160mm (blade length)
元幅 Motohaba: 34mm (blade depth)
重ね/元重 Motokasane: 4.5mm (spine thickness)
中心/茎 Nakago: 105mm (tang length)
柄長 Tsuka: 105mm (handle length)

Materials: reclaimed leaf spring steel, cotton cord, Nootka Cypress, rice paste glue, natural urushi lacquer

This piece is in a private collection in Tofino.

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques

Process

Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
After hardening in a charcoal forge using the clay and water method.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Comparison to the original spring it was forged from.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Old steel uncovered by a 50-year storm. Sorted and stacked after the initial inspection.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Various pieces of the spring ready for sorting by size and quality.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
One of the canvas boots still had functional grease inside!
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Salvaged leaf spring from a beach.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Intense corrosion from decades by the sea.
Island Blacksmith: Charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed and natural materials using traditional techniques
Colours and textures of iron oxide hide the steel inside.

Design your own custom handmade bespoke knife here: Tools for Satoyama


Tools for Satoyama: Design your own custom outdoor knife, hand crafted on Vancouver Island.

Tools for Satoyama: Design your own custom bushcraft knife, hand crafted on Vancouver Island.

Tools for Satoyama: Design your own bespoke knife, hand crafted on Vancouver Island.

Island Blacksmith: Design your own charcoal forged knives made from reclaimed steel.

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