Rover Mountain Skinner
The core of this project is a charcoal-forged 1965 Series 2a Land Rover leaf spring steel blade, water quenched with clay and sharpened with waterstones, a historical western style outdoor knife that has the foundation of the Japanese sword but is finished in the simple and humble aspect of farming and foresting tools of centuries…
Rover Ken Nata
The inaugural-forged rover blade, charcoal-forged by hand from 1965 Series 2a Land Rover leaf spring steel, water quenched with clay and sharpened with waterstones, an outdoor knife that has the foundation of the Japanese sword but is finished in the simple and humble aspect of farming and foresting tools of centuries ago. Satoyama are the…
Hon-Yaki Field Nata
Nata come in various sizes and shapes, but most do the work of a light brush hatchet or heavy camp knife. Common characteristics include thick spines and heavy blades, often with single beveled edges similar to Japanese wood chisels. The hand forged blade features swordsmith style hon-yaki water quench edge hardening rather than a thin…
Japan Photo Essay: Antique Nata
This antique nata is in the permanent collection at Soulsmithing and is a lovely example of original handcraft from Japan. This photo essay will reveal some of the beautiful details of this tool for study and appreciation. Nata (屶, “mountain sword”, or 鉈) come in many sizes and shapes, but most fit the description of…
Case Study: Making a Hon-Yaki Nata
Nata (屶, directly translated “mountain sword”, or 鉈) come in various sizes and shapes, but the type most familiar in the west does the duty of a light brush hatchet or heavy camp knife. Common characteristics include thick spines and heavy blades, often with single beveled edges similar to Japanese wood chisels. This type work…
Antique Japanese Farming Tools
Interesting tools used to manage a rice field and a mountain forest in the Japanese countryside. I have the privilege of being able to help out from time to time on the family farm. When we are in town, I enjoy hunting through the workshop and barn to see what old tools can be found…
Sharpening a Nata (variation of a Japanese brush knife)