Thread: Lake Superior, Sand Smelted, Michi-gane Razor

Those of you familiar with my work know I don't post here often. Life is just too busy. But, I have done something recently that some of you may find interesting. Since there will be very few of these razors, I decided to post a few photos here.

This is my very first razor made from Lake Superior beach sand. The sand was smelted in a bloomery style smelter. The resulting bloom was folded and welded until I had a good piece of steel to work with. This is essentially the same as Japanese Tamahagane. But, it wasn't smelted from Japanese sand, in a Tatara smelter located in Japan. So, I just call it Michi-gane".

The whole story has been written-up and will be in "Knives 2012", due out sometime in the Spring.

The photos below are of the Lake Superior collection site, my smelter, and the finished razor. In keeping with the "made in Michigan" theme, the scales are from a Whitetail deer shot by my father-in-law.

I do plan on doing more "Michi-gane" in the future. Making razors and knives from "dirt" is pretty addicting. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Tim Z.

That's amazing.
Can't wait to read more about the details.

Originally Posted by superbleu

That's amazing.
Can't wait to read more about the details.

+1 !! I find this kind of stuff to be what life is about. Making magic from dirt.

I read about this on your website. Too cool. Now, JimmyHAD finally has a custom maker he can look up to. You're no poser

Awesome stuff, Sir.

Amazing.. just out of curiosity how many razors could you get out of the bloom you produced? I know I will have to start watching for these to show up online and save to grab one.

Very nice.

Thanks for the post,the process sounds like a good time. I now have something to dream about.

Charlie

Originally Posted by Troggie

Amazing.. just out of curiosity how many razors could you get out of the bloom you produced? I know I will have to start watching for these to show up online and save to grab one.

That first bloom could have made four razors. It ended up being one razor and two knives. My current blooms are bigger and my folding technique is better. So, my current yields have gone up a bit.

Tim Z.

Originally Posted by spazola

Thanks for the post,the process sounds like a good time. I now have something to dream about.

Charlie

Charlie, come on up to "the land of perpetual winter". We'll melt some sand and have a good time. You're always welcome.

Tim Z.

Fantastic! I'm getting really into the steel side of things, and it's awesome to see someone take it to this level.

But maybe "Mihagane" sounds better...