28/06/2017
HOW TO FORGE JAPNANESE SWORDS
https://swordjapan.com/2017/06/22/how-to-forge-japnanese-swords/
The bladesmith – A Japanese sword blade is made by the repeated tempering of jewel steel.
A swordsmith is an artisan who forges Japanese swords. In order to become a swordsmith, it is necessary to apprentice under a certified swordsmith, pursue the discipline for at least five years, and complete a practical workshop organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
The jewel steel used to make Japanese sword is produced from iron sand and iron ore via an ancient Japanese technique called “tatara smelting”. The forging of a single Japanese sword requires the use of approximately 8Kg of jewel steel and 30 bags of pine charcoal.
The temperature is raised to 1200˚C- 1300˚C, the jewel steel is first tempered both by forge welding and folding, then combined with the other iron, and tempered again. There are also techniques by which each part of the blade is tempered.
After this the iron parts are assembled, and while repeatedly heating and cooling, elongated to the intended length and basic form. The shape is further developed by coating the blade edge with clay and heating to 800˚C, then quenching in water to chill the whole blade at once. In that moment, the curvature is born.
The artisan whose job is to polish the blade. How beautifully the bladesmith’s work is completed depends on the skill of this master.
Find more on the web.
https://swordjapan.com/2017/06/22/how-to-forge-japnanese-swords/
The bladesmith – A Japanese sword blade is made by the repeated tempering of jewel steel. A swordsmith is an artisan who forges Japanese swords. In order to become a swordsmith, it is necessa…
