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“I have discovered the secret of sword-smithing: hard work.” – A student’s Journal during their time at Dragonfly Mountain.

Marcus Ranum, who attended our Basic Forging Course last October, shared his experience as a student at Tomboyama through a day-by-day journal of the class.

Dragonfly Forge trip report – main page

His descriptions and photos provide an excellent peek at the 5-day swordsmithing processes taught at Dragonfly Forge to transform a section of wire rope into a wakizashi, a Japanese-style short sword. He also touches upon the frustrations and triumphs of learning completely new skills. Marcus also shares the secret to swordsmithing: hard work.

Thank you Marcus for documenting your time with us and sharing it.

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Gabriel Bell Returns to HISTORY Channel’s “Forged In Fire” Season 3

Dragonfly Forge is proud to announce that it’s very own Gabriel Bell will be competing in the upcoming season finale of History Channel’s hit show Forged in Fire. Forged in Fire Season 3 Episode 16 will air on Tuesday, February 14th 7pm EST on History Channel.

Watch Forged in Fire – Season 3 – Episode 16 – Redemption here.

The episode titled “Redemption” will be Gabriel’s second appearance on the show and he is excited to meet the challenges head on with three other great bladesmiths.

We invite our dear clients, friends and family to tune in and join us as we cheer him on. If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, Gabriel is hosting a live episode viewing party that night (Februrary 14th) at Shut Up And Eat restaurant on SE Gladstone. Food and Drinks are available. And yes, kids are welcome! To attend the viewing party in Portland. Best of luck Gabe!

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Notice Regarding Ray Skin Handles and Scabbards

On November 8, 2016 the voters of Oregon passed Measure 100, which bans the sale and purchase of elephant ivory and other animal parts. Listed with these animals are sting rays, the skin of which is called same or same-kawa in Japanese.

This material has been used for wrapping handles and covering scabbards for over 1000 years in Japan, as well as elsewhere. Like rawhide, it is strong and visually appealing, and provides a non-slip hand hold.

In order to comply with this new law we regret that as of June 30, 2017 we will no longer offer handles or other parts incorporating ray skin.

We are currently investigating and experimenting with other materials that will provide the strength and beauty of ray skin.

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2017 Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo (Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School) Class Schedule

March 2017
Monday March 27 – Friday, March 31 – Basic Forging Course

April 2017
Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2 – Kajioshi Course

Saturday, April 8 – Sunday, April 9: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon

Monday, April 17 – Friday, April 21 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, April 22 – Sunday, April 23 – Habaki Course

May 2017
Monday, May 15 – Friday, May 19 – Intermediate Forging Course

Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 – Kajioshi Course

Monday, May 29 – Friday, June 2 – Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course

June 2017
Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30 – Basic Forging Course

July 2017
Saturday, July 1 – Sunday, July 2 – Kajioshi Course

Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, July 29 – Sunday, July 30 – Habaki Course

August 2017
Monday, August 21 – Friday, August 25 – Koshirae Course

Saturday, August 26 – Sunday, August 27 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course

September 2017

Monday, September 4 – Friday, September 8 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, September 9 – Sunday, September 10 – Kajioshi Course

October 2017
Monday, October 2 – Friday, October 6 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, October 7 – Sunday, October 8 – Habaki Course

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“Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire: The Art and Science of the Japanese Sword”

March 14th, at 7pm PST, Michael and Gabriel Bell of Dragonfly Forge will be the featured speakers of “Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire: The Art and Science of the Japanese Sword” at Linfield College in Mcminnville, Oregon. The panel discussion will include Tianbo Xao, professor of physic, Brian Winkenwder, professor of art history, Chris Keaveney, professor of Japanese, and Jesus Ilundain-Agurruza, professor of philosophy. The event will be held in Ice Auditorium in Melrose Hall.

The event is free and open to the public. The lecture will also be live streamed for those unable to attend. Link to follow soon.Linfield - March 14th Seminar

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2016 Swordsmithing School Course Schedule

March 2016
Monday March 21 – Friday, March 25 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, March 26 – Sunday, March 27 – Kajioshi Course

April 2016
Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon

Monday, April 18 – Friday, April 22 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, April 23 – Sunday, April 24 – Habaki Course

May 2016

Monday, May 16 – Friday, May 20 – Kajioshi-Habaki Combo-Course

Saturday, May 28 – Sunday, May 29 – Oroshigane (Steel-making) Seminar

June 2016
Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3 – Advanced Forging Course

Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 1 – Basic Forging Course

July 2016
Saturday, July 2 – Sunday, July 3 – Kajioshi Course Course

Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17 – Introduction to Forging Laminate Wood-working Tools

August 2016

Monday, August 22 – Friday, August 26 – Koshirae Course

Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course

September 2016

Monday, September 5 – Friday, September 9 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, September 10 – Sunday, September 11 – Habaki Course

October 2016
Monday, October 3 – Friday, October 7 – Basic Forging Course

Saturday, October 8 – Sunday, October 9 – Kajioshi Course