San-Mai Western Kamisori, Mirror-Polished Smiling French Point

Hey guys, just wanted to share a few fun projects we finished this week. Let me know what you think!

Up first is a San-Mai (O1 between mild steel) Western Kamisori (quarter-hollow ground, symmetrical). This was forged from the first billet we successfully laminated with the new propane forge. After polishing, the whole piece was dipped in diluted ferric choloride to reveal the lamination. You can see how little the mild steel reacted, leaving it nice and shiny... The handle wrap is waxed Irish line, display stand was made from laminated 1/8th-inch maple and walnut accents. Currently on its way to a dear friend of ours.

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This next one is different from what we usually make in that it has a mirror polish and is smiling. Grateful for the practice--of which there was a TON, since mirror polishes take so much longer--given that straight grinds are 99% of what I make on any given day. French point, smiling, quarter-hollow, Arizona Desert Ironwood scales, Ebony wedge, brass pins and washers. We started tapering the tangs a lot more the past few months and really like what it does for the scales shape and tension.

Attachment 276505

Cheers!