First Lighting of the Forge & Antique Habaki Utsushi (写)

First lighting of the newly rebuilt charcoal forge in the island kajiba followed by stamping the tang and then hand forging and filing a classical tanto style habaki, silver soldered in the charcoal forge and closely based on an antique Edo period habaki. An utsushi (写) is a closely based study of another work for the purposes of professional development. Polishing and patinating will be done after the saya has been carved. information about the machigane | habaki making process

Yoroidoshi in Shirasaya

This blade began as a segment of reclaimed horse-drawn carriage spring and was hand forged in a charcoal fire, smoothed with files and a sen scraper, hardened using traditional water quench yaki-ire, and polished by hand with natural Japanese water stones. Crafted… Continue reading →

Pacific Yew Forest Kotanto

This custom kotanto finds a balance between the humble satoyama style and a classical tanto with a striking combination of forged copper, natural orange hardwood, and black urushi lacquer. The blade began as a reclaimed harrow tooth and was hand forged in… Continue reading →

Touzai Tanto

Touzai (東西) can be literally translated “East West” and carries the idea of spanning across distance or covering and including everywhere. There is also a saying, “kokontouzai” (古今東西) which means for all time and all places, literally “old, now, East, West”. This… Continue reading →

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 →

Letter Opener Collab

Scrap steel barstock shaped into a unique blade and accented with an embossed copper handle.

Party on the Drive

Crossed Heart Forge demo set up at Tigh-Na-Mara for the Resort Drive event. We were invited to participate in the first ever P-Art-y on the Drive event in Parksville on the ninth of September. Our booth featured a live demonstration of cold… Continue reading →

Elk Bag Collaboration

One of the first of several ongoing button collaborations to hit the streets, a fire finished copper button makes a perfect accent.

Buttons Now Available

Handmade metal buttons are now available at tomorrow’s fibre arts fair in Errington / Coombs as well as a local shop. By popular demand, Tamaki’s handmade metal buttons are now available in oceanside. Handmade of brass, copper, and aluminum, each is a… Continue reading →

Handmade Buttons

Featuring a new hammer texture interpretation of sakura blossoms seen through branches in the spring time.

Edo Inspired Buttons

Hand hammered textures and subtly organic lines bring life and warmth into these handmade metal buttons.

The Old School House

The Old School House (affectionately known as TOSH) is a community supported arts centre and gallery in Qualicum Beach.

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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