7 Replies to “Katana”

  1. Good evening,
    I am learning bladesmith and have a question. I have forged a wakazashi length blade from a piece of car leaf spring and need to know what can I use as clay for heat treating? I would love to take your classes however, Oregon might be a stretch from Connecticut. Thanks
    Gary

    1. You can try Wood stove or fireplace repair cement it works very well thin with water for the initial coat then apply a thicker layer to the spine to slow the cooling down there. I’ve used the “Rutland” brand for this for many years with more than fair results, remember to forge the blade straighter than you want it to end up as it will curl when quenched. leave the surface rough 60 grit or rougher, and the edge at least .060″ thick a .100″ is better.

      Ron West
      Shining Mountain Knifeworks
      Westcliffe Colorado and Gilroy California.

  2. Thank you for taking the time to read this im Jake im a sword enthusiast in WV and i wish i could take your classes and learn to forge myself but like the others Oregan is just out of my reach right now but i do have a question. I have a katana that i hold very dearly as it was my first katana and to me it more then just a sword but im ashamed to say that when i first recieved it i was young and didnt treat it as well as i should have now that im older i regret it so what id like to do might be a little unusual i dont just want to clean the steel or just sharpen my sword. What id like to do is have my sword melted down to raw material and reforge it anew, The reasons i have to want this is because while i love my sword but it was made more as decoration and not for what swords were invented for and id like to show my sword respect that now since ive matured id like to correct the damage ive done to it when i was younger. So my main question is it it possible? and if so whats the risk to the blade itself? and what would it cost? I personally believe that you get what you pay for so im not looking for the lowest price im just wondering what do u think it would require to do it right.

    1. Dear Jake

      Thanks for your very interesting question.

      While it is theoretically possible to melt down your damaged sword blade and re-forge it I don’t think it is a very practical course of action. It would take a lot of heat to melt steel and in the process a portion of the metal will be lost. The melted steel would also have to be poured and formed into bar stock before forging to shape, something not easily done in a blacksmith’s forge.

      Sometimes it is better to have an example of our youthful follies to remind us to be more careful. Perhaps your sword can be repaired.

      Good luck,

  3. I am a high school student at Roseburg high. I am doing a paper about what I want to be and I am deeply interested in becoming a swordsmith. I was wondering how i could get started.

  5. I met you guys (you and your son) years ago when i lived in Bandon; I was about 16 or 17. one of the coolest days ever. thank you both for showing me your workshop,your library, and your incredible craftsmanship (even had some Civil War swords!!!). very humble and very skilled in your art, it was an honor.

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