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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Tag Archives: process

Case Study: Making the Sunahama Kotanto

scroll down or jump to the sections below: Blade Sunobe Hizukuri Ara-shiage Hardening Clay Mixture Tsuchioki Yaki-ire Polishing Kaji Togi Shitaji Togi Habaki Forging Filing Bending Soldering Handle Seppa Nakago-ana Sokui Core Tsuka Tsukamaki Mekugi Scabbard Inside Outside Assembly Forging a Kotanto… Continue reading →

Posted on 2014/04/10 by davej Posted in Handcrafted Knives.

Aizu Shintogo Kunimitsu Tanto Kata

A kata is a pattern or form used for study or reference when creating an utsushi blade. The exercise of accurately making kata based on the work of historical smiths is an excellent way to train the eyes, mind, and body to… Continue reading →

Posted on 2014/04/05 by davej Posted in Uncategorized.

Testing Blacksmithing Charcoal

More about making softwood charcoal: How Charcoal is Made

Posted on 2014/02/11 by davej Posted in D.I.Y. Technology.

Making Charcoal for Blacksmithing

More about making softwood charcoal: How Charcoal is Made

Posted on 2013/10/18 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, D.I.Y. Technology.

Chopping charcoal (sumi-kiri)

More about making blacksmithing charcoal: How Charcoal is Made

Posted on 2013/06/04 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, D.I.Y. Technology, Japan.

IslandBlacksmith Video Channel

Watch video clips of making, repairing, sharpening, and forging. More to come! vimeo.com/islandblacksmith and more recent content here: youtube.com/user/CrossedHeartForge

Posted on 2013/05/29 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, Event.

Sharpening a Nata (variation of a Japanese brush knife)

Posted on 2013/05/28 by davej Posted in Japan.

Sharpening a Kama (Japanese farmer’s sickle)

Posted on 2013/05/28 by davej Posted in Japan.

Making a handle for a small pick

Posted on 2013/05/28 by davej Posted in D.I.Y. Technology.

You Need A Japanese Swordsmith’s Hammer

Three reasons why *you* need a Japanese swordsmith’s hammer for forging knives. Size – the small face is better suited for working on a narrow target, keeping the hammer from hitting the anvil as the bevel gets thinner Weight – though the… Continue reading →

Posted on 2013/04/06 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, Handmade Tools.

Charcoal Kiln V.3.0

We always seem to return to the roots eventually, don’t we? After a year of forging with charcoal made in Charcoal Retort V.2, it was time to address the issues with the system. The main one was that, though much improved from… Continue reading →

Posted on 2013/03/08 by davej Posted in D.I.Y. Technology.
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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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