Thread: Tamahagane with other kanji???

Btw on the topic of folding: modern pattern welded steels are also folded a number of times. Carbon content drops as well, but to a lesser degree because that is usually done with modern power hammers or hydraulic presses. Traditional tamahagane folding is done by 2 apprentices with sledge hammers, and this takes a good amount of time at welding heat.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Btw on the topic of folding: modern pattern welded steels are also folded a number of times. Carbon content drops as well, but to a lesser degree because that is usually done with modern power hammers or hydraulic presses. Traditional tamahagane folding is done by 2 apprentices with sledge hammers, and this takes a good amount of time at welding heat.

As we get to see it on the docudrama TV shows, it seems traditional. Their tradition limits them to a charcoal fire and performing the process as they were handed down. The calculation to drop the carbon content over the life of the billet to blade is just as deliberate and well thought out as if I were making a PW billet in my LP gas fire with a hydraulic press. Most Japanese smith shops have a power hammer because the hammer doesn't eat. Apprentices have to be fed and clothed and get tired and frankly, there are few interested people in most of the more difficult crafts these days. Everytime visitors from the east come to American shops, they have been adept at the use of power tools without hindrance. It's not that they don't know how, but their tradition is what sets the limits on how it can be done.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Most Japanese smith shops have a power hammer because the hammer doesn't eat. Apprentices have to be fed and clothed and get tired and frankly, there are few interested people in most of the more difficult crafts these days. Everytime visitors from the east come to American shops, they have been adept at the use of power tools without hindrance. It's not that they don't know how, but their tradition is what sets the limits on how it can be done.

I could see myself apprenticing to a swordsmith in a different life. The life of a polisher otoh... it never ceases to amaze me that people would choose that particular craft.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I could see myself apprenticing to a swordsmith in a different life. The life of a polisher otoh... it never ceases to amaze me that people would choose that particular craft.

Give me a call in your next life, I'll polish for you!