MacKINNON

This one is close to the historic original. The prototype scabbard was a bit more gaudy. This one has a blade and will have to be finished sometime this year. t

Still waiting to find a freight company that can get it to the customer in the States. Well, one that doesn't want to charge a small fortune. These pics were just from the first full fit up. Tweaking and extra polish was done after this.

Copy of Chinese Qianlong period sabre. Blade is from hand smelted titano-magnetite. Japanese construction and hamon with Sankrit and Manchurian script carving. Scabbard is sectional veneer overlay in three woods with lacquer finish. Mounts are gold plated brass, hand pierced and carved. Hilt is New Zealand nephrite jade. Sole authorship work. Wouldn't make another one ;-) (Don't laugh at the stand. It's just my workshop, jury-rigged go-to )

What a classic. Awesome !

Marvelous !

Very sad.

What do you suggest for people tired of Japanese Blacksmithing ? ;-)

Very common technique and one used a lot by Japanese smiths. As you suggest, it is to clean the metal surface of scale and can often be seen in the preparation of surfaces to be forge welded such as in 'Tanren' or fold refining of native Steels. As for not 'popping' , it will if the surface is concave and forms a gas trap when the hammer blow falls, but on blade size materials this generally isn't too much of a issue. The explosive 'pops' tend to occur at welding temps , not in the final forging range.

Love it !

I wonder why you lost so much weight ? Generally, I would not lose more than a few tens of grams on crucible steels.

Beautiful work.

A very intriguing finish. Many thanks for taking the time to document your process.

Nicw work, Mr. Richard

Another beautiful piece, Mr. Richard.

They are just mild steel and most guys make their own.