All Business Media FM – Radio Interview with Michael and Gabriel Bell of Dragonfly Forge
Michael and Gabriel Bell, the father-son swordsmithing duo of Dragonfly Forge were interviewed live on All Business Media FM February 1st, 2018. Catch the archive recording at the link below:
http://allbusinessmediafm.com/archives/michael-and-gabriel-bell-02-01-18-swordsmiths/
2018 Sword-making School Class Schedule
March 2018
Monday March 26 – Friday, March 30 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course
April 2018
Saturday, March 31 – Sunday, April 1 – Kajioshi Course
Saturday, April 7 – Sunday, April 8: Oregon Knife Collectors Association (OKCA) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon
Monday, April 16 – Friday, April 22 – Advanced Katana Forging Course
May 2018
Monday, May 14 – Friday, May 18 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course
Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 – Introduction to Forging Bi-metal Woodworking Tools
June 2018
Monday, June 25 – Friday, June 29 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course
July 2018
Saturday, June 30 – Sunday, July 1 – Habaki Course
Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 3 – Kajioshi/Habaki Combo-Course
August 2018
Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10 – Koshirae/Shirasaya (Scabbard & Handle) Course
Saturday, August 11 – Sunday, August 12 – Tsuka-maki (Handle-wrapping) Course
September 2018
Monday, September 3 – Friday, September 7 – Forging the Working Knife
October 2018
Monday, October 1 – Friday, October 5 – Basic Japanese Sword Forging Course
“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.
“Up Close with Dragonfly Forge” – Woodstock Farmers Market
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!
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.
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
“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.
Dragonfly Forge on Jefferson Public Radio’s ‘Jefferson Exchange’
Our radio segment on the Jefferson Exchange, March 8th, 2016, with Geoffrey Riley is available for listening on the JPR website.