Comments on: So you want to become an apprentice swordsmith… http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/ Custom Hand-crafted Japanese Art/Cutting Swords, specializing in forge-welded cable and handmade steel, By Michael and Gabriel Bell Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:03:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mariano molina http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-9796 mariano molina Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:03:58 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-9796 I would like to know if you have any schools close to Florida like around Miami Dade I would like to know if you have any schools close to Florida like around Miami Dade

]]> By: Michael Bell http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-9741 Michael Bell Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:59:27 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-9741 Dear Mr. McDonnell Thanks for your inquiry regarding getting your son started in swords and smithing. I usually recommend starting at the library or book store and getting a feeling for the process and materials used in the making of blades, including knives. There are some excellent books available, specifically "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" by Yoshindo Yoshihara, "The Complete Bladesmith" by Jim Hrousla, and anything by Wayne Goddard. I also recommend taking some of the courses offered by The American Bladesmith Society [ABS] which has a school in Old Washington Ark. They have an excellent facility with top-notch instructors with an interesting and diverse curriculum. I have been a guest instructor there several times. You can also take our Basic Forging Course. While we obviously teach the Japanese method, most of what is taught applies very well to western styles as well. By the way, the Japanese style of forging is not necessarily superior to western methods. Many of the early broadswords were every bit as complex and sophisticated. Dear Mr. McDonnell

Thanks for your inquiry regarding getting your son started in swords and smithing.

I usually recommend starting at the library or book store and getting a feeling for the process and materials used in the making of blades, including knives. There are some excellent books available, specifically “The Craft of the Japanese Sword” by Yoshindo Yoshihara, “The Complete Bladesmith” by Jim Hrousla, and anything by Wayne Goddard.

I also recommend taking some of the courses offered by The American Bladesmith Society [ABS] which has a school in Old Washington Ark. They have an excellent facility with top-notch instructors with an interesting and diverse curriculum. I have been a guest instructor there several times.

You can also take our Basic Forging Course. While we obviously teach the Japanese method, most of what is taught applies very well to western styles as well.

By the way, the Japanese style of forging is not necessarily superior to western methods. Many of the early broadswords were every bit as complex and sophisticated.

]]> By: Mark McDonnell http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-9474 Mark McDonnell Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:28:13 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-9474 My son is currently 15 years old. He has had an interest in swords and smithing since he was seven or eight. We live in Houston, Texas and would like to know how to get him started. His primary interest is in the European broad swords. But realizing that the Japanese forging processes were superior, it would be desirable to mix the Japanese metallurgy mixed with the broadsword designs. Thank you in advance for any communication, Mark My son is currently 15 years old. He has had an interest in swords and smithing since he was seven or eight.
We live in Houston, Texas and would like to know how to get him started.
His primary interest is in the European broad swords. But realizing that the Japanese forging processes were superior, it would be desirable to mix the Japanese metallurgy mixed with the broadsword designs.

Thank you in advance for any communication,
Mark

]]> By: Gabriel Bell http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-9318 Gabriel Bell Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:05:26 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-9318 Dear James, Thank you for your interest in our swordsmithing school. We would love to have you and your father attend our swordsmithing school. Although we do offer a full curriculum of classes on making all parts of the Japanese sword, it is not possible to make a complete sword and mounting in two weeks, or even in a month of classes, given the time-consuming and demanding nature of the Japanese sword arts. One should be aware of that in Japan, generally each part of the sword is completed by a specialist artisan; a sword may pass through the hand of four or more craftsmen before completion. My father's teacher, Mr. Nakajima, was unique in that he learned all of the aspects of making a complete sword. Undertaking each separate sword art is a challenging proposition in itself, becoming proficient in all of them is much more so. In two weeks, it would be only possible take two 5-day courses: our Basic Forging Course, and our Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course. Although we don't currently have any instance of these classes scheduled back-to-back for the 2012 school year, if you are interested in planning 2 weeks of classes we would be happy to accommodate you as best we can. Please feel free to contact us by email or telephone if anything on our websites is unclear. Dear James,

Thank you for your interest in our swordsmithing school. We would love to have you and your father attend our swordsmithing school.

Although we do offer a full curriculum of classes on making all parts of the Japanese sword, it is not possible to make a complete sword and mounting in two weeks, or even in a month of classes, given the time-consuming and demanding nature of the Japanese sword arts.

One should be aware of that in Japan, generally each part of the sword is completed by a specialist artisan; a sword may pass through the hand of four or more craftsmen before completion. My father’s teacher, Mr. Nakajima, was unique in that he learned all of the aspects of making a complete sword. Undertaking each separate sword art is a challenging proposition in itself, becoming proficient in all of them is much more so.

In two weeks, it would be only possible take two 5-day courses: our Basic Forging Course, and our Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course. Although we don’t currently have any instance of these classes scheduled back-to-back for the 2012 school year, if you are interested in planning 2 weeks of classes we would be happy to accommodate you as best we can.

Please feel free to contact us by email or telephone if anything on our websites is unclear.

]]> By: Brad Purrone http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-9191 Brad Purrone Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:20:24 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-9191 Dear Michal Bell, I have always wanted to be a blacksmith since I was ten. I have started to make my own forge but I am not there yet. I have no formal training or training what so ever and I want to learn how to make blades, I would be ever so thankful if you gave me a rundown on where I could find sword smithing masters, the style i would like to make is that of western blades but the eastern blades are just as good. i have also heard that i must read several book if not more on this subject, please point them out if you could. i would love to become an apprentice I am fifteen at this time. I live in C.T please contact me at this address pdp123@att.net again i would be ever so grateful for you assistance in this matter and if you cannot assist me thank you for your time Dear Michal Bell,
I have always wanted to be a blacksmith since I was ten. I have started to make my own forge but I am not there yet. I have no formal training or training what so ever and I want to learn how to make blades, I would be ever so thankful if you gave me a rundown on where I could find sword smithing masters, the style i would like to make is that of western blades but the eastern blades are just as good. i have also heard that i must read several book if not more on this subject, please point them out if you could. i would love to become an apprentice I am fifteen at this time. I live in C.T please contact me at this address
pdp123@att.net
again i would be ever so grateful for you assistance in this matter and if you cannot assist me thank you for your time

]]> By: Christian hawks http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-8721 Christian hawks Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:31:45 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-8721 Hi, I am very interested in the art of sword smithing. I was wondering what the finances would be like? What would a normal day consist of? Hi, I am very interested in the art of sword smithing. I was wondering what the finances would be like? What would a normal day consist of?

]]> By: James http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-8219 James Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:40:19 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-8219 My father and I have always had an interest in learning to swordsmith. Are there any course available that would create not only the blade but also the hilt,wrap, and scabbard to create a complete sword? What would the timeframe for a class like that be? We are looking for a future father/son trip into taking 2 weeks to learn and craft somewhere but I also am not sure what is feasible for a 2 week time frame. My father and I have always had an interest in learning to swordsmith. Are there any course available that would create not only the blade but also the hilt,wrap, and scabbard to create a complete sword? What would the timeframe for a class like that be? We are looking for a future father/son trip into taking 2 weeks to learn and craft somewhere but I also am not sure what is feasible for a 2 week time frame.

]]> By: Michael Bell http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-7928 Michael Bell Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:04:47 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-7928 Dear Mike, It is probably not necessary to find a swordsmith in order to learn the art. My teacher, Mr. Nakajima, had me making many tanto-length blades before I forged a long sword. I suggest you contact the Alabama Forge Council to locate a smith in your area. Most of the smiths I met in Alabama are well-versed in forge-welding and heat-treating in the Japanese manner. You might also try Don Fogg, who is, I think in N. Carolina. He is a bottomless well of skill and information. The main thing is GET STARTED! Dear Mike,

It is probably not necessary to find a swordsmith in order to learn the art. My teacher, Mr. Nakajima, had me making many tanto-length blades before I forged a long sword.

I suggest you contact the Alabama Forge Council to locate a smith in your area. Most of the smiths I met in Alabama are well-versed in forge-welding and heat-treating in the Japanese manner. You might also try Don Fogg, who is, I think in N. Carolina. He is a bottomless well of skill and information.

The main thing is GET STARTED!

]]> By: Mike Malone http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-7759 Mike Malone Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:54:57 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-7759 I want to become a swordsmith but I can't afford to pick up and leave with my family... Are there any swordsmiths in Alabama that you know of? I want to become a swordsmith but I can’t afford to pick up and leave with my family… Are there any swordsmiths in Alabama that you know of?

]]> By: Michael Bell http://dragonflyforge.com/2009/01/31/becoming-an-apprentice/#comment-7627 Michael Bell Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:46:47 +0000 http://www.dragonflyforge.com/?p=241#comment-7627 Dear Mr. Krug You are correct, I believe, that European and other sword making disciplines required the same dedication and devotion as does the Japanese tradition. It should be remembered that sword smithing is a profession, inasmuch as one's life depended on the integrity of one's blade. Also, the forging of a good sword is actually a very difficult proposition requiring much learning and practice. In short, there is no shortcut to making a good sword. Dear Mr. Krug

You are correct, I believe, that European and other sword making disciplines required the same dedication and devotion as does the Japanese tradition.

It should be remembered that sword smithing is a profession, inasmuch as one’s life depended on the integrity of one’s blade. Also, the forging of a good sword is actually a very difficult proposition requiring much learning and practice.

In short, there is no shortcut to making a good sword.

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