An older article from Swordforum Magazine.
” This year, the Alabama Forge Council’s (AFC) annual Bladesmithing Symposium featured special guest Michael Bell – a swordsmith from Oregon and one of the premiere smiths working today, trained in the Japanese tradition by five-year apprenticeship under Master Swordmaker Nakajima Muneyoshi in 1970.”
The rest of the article is available here.
Article and photographs by Adrian Ko.
where can i find carving tools for swords? and what metals are good for carving for the sword guard?
Dear John Dinterman,
Was your question about carving tools in regards to wood or metal carving on Japanese swords?
For our metal carving tools, nearly all of are made by ourselves at Dragonfly Forge. These chisels and other tools are made from old files or high carbon steel, which we forge, heat-treat, and temper (if needed) ourselves.
For scabbard carving chisels and triangular carving knives, we have also made our own from a forge-welded laminate of antique wrought iron and high carbon steel. My father also still uses the set of Japanese woodworking chisels that Mr. Nakajima and modified and re-purposed for saya (scabbard) carving during his apprenticeship over 40 years ago.
The Japan Woodworker in Alemeda, CA does sell a line of scabbard carving chisels (saya-nomi) and carving knives. However, because they are in a style different than that which Mr. Nakajima used, we do not use them ourselves.
We are also considering making our own of saya-nomi and carving knives for sale. If you are interested, please check our website again later for updates on these or contact us directly.