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: workshop setup

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.

Simple Bladesmithing Anvil

Traditional Japanese swordsmithing anvils are simple in form and can be made from readily available materials. This article will present a photographic overview of the process of removing and replacing the swordsmith’s anvil at the museum forge on Vancouver Island. Most of… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/09/26 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, D.I.Y. Technology.

Museum Forge Update

Traditional Japanese swordsmithing forges can be constructed with simple materials and natural ingredients. This article will present a photographic overview of the process of refurbishing the swordsmith’s forge at a museum on Vancouver Island. Most of history was forged with very simple… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/08/08 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, D.I.Y. Technology.

Island Forge: Kajiba Clean Up

Some views of the building in its tidiest state ever as the island kajiba series of photo essays comes to a conclusion, documenting the preparation, construction, and set up of a simple swordsmith style kajiba (鍛冶場, forge building) from the ground up.… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/07/14 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop.

Natural Earth Plaster Walls

In contrast to the rough walls of the kajiba, which are arakabetsuchi (荒壁土), the traditional infill technique using a rough mixture of natural clay, sand, and straw applied over lath (komai/kabekomai 壁小舞), the interior walls of the shiageba are finished with a… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/04/17 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop.

Island Forge: Kajiba Kanagu

An overview of kanagu (hardware), both made and found, to add to the island kajiba series of photo essays, documenting the preparation, construction, and set up of a simple swordsmith style kajiba (鍛冶場, forge building) from the ground up. The main inspiration… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/04/08 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop.

Building a Togi-Dai for Polishing

Togi (研ぎ) is the process of using several stages of abrasive stones to refine, smooth, and sharpen a blade. The word togi does not differentiate between the action of polishing and the action of sharpening, in the Japanese concept the operations are… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/02/20 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, Handmade Tools.

Organizing the Carving Area for Making Saya

A few views of the preparation of the woodworking space for carving saya (scabbards) and tsuka (handles). The loft area of the shiageba provides a small floor working space and storage area for tools and wood while downstairs is for polishing. The… Continue reading →

Posted on 2020/01/20 by davej Posted in Handmade Tools.

Preparing the Shiage-ba (finishing shed)

Traditional knifemaking is generally divided into rough work and clean work. Forging, shaping, and kaji-togi polishing can be done in the kajiba, but finishing work must be done in a cleaner area. This small shiageba will provide work areas for carving saya… Continue reading →

Posted on 2019/12/20 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop.

Charcoal Kiln V.4.0

As part of the island kajiba project, reclaimed and natural materials were used to construct a larger traditional style charcoal making kiln. The basic concept is a simple chamber with a door on one end and a chimney on the other, insulated… Continue reading →

Posted on 2019/11/16 by davej Posted in Blacksmith Shop, 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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