dan pfanenstiel Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 'Cause carving bo-hi sucks. Wondered the whole time why I even started. Of course, once you start a groove, there's no going back. Anyhoo, here's one I'm on now. Can't remember when I forged it, or out of what, but it's probably 1095/mild steel (80/20%) and now that it's getting a polish, it's showing some potential. I felt that such a broad blade could benefit from the groove. Nagasa is just over 10", width at machi's is 1 5/16" (so a little wide). Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenon Rain. Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 that.. is really really cool how'd you do it? the bo hi i mean.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Leavitt Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 You go bo-hiiiiiii.... I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Looks great to me. While I've never even thought about attempting something like this I imagine it's like the early stages of hand rubbing when you are wondering why you don't use a buffer and why do you care and can't the roof just fall in on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Anderson Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 That's absolutely beautiful Dan...in particular the profile. It's nice and wide...yet not too fat. All in all just right =). Cris Slow is smooth, smooth is steady, steady is fast, fast is deadly... Erik R. http://www.facebook.com/scorpionforge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted January 1, 2009 Author Share Posted January 1, 2009 Thanks guys. Kenon, I started out with my still unused grooving tool I had made along the lines of B. Finnigan's post (in the tools section). Mine evidently needs some adjustment, as I couldn't get it to cut without chattering and making a really ugly groove. I tinkered with it some, but gave up. Probably needs to be used on modern steel in it's softest state too. I also like a wider, deeper groove so moved on to the small wheel attachment on my grinder. I made a small round work rest that positions the blade up to the small wheel and got something acceptable. Lots of clean up with flex shaft and paper though, and it's still not right. Will, you betcha on the patience thing. If I can't arrive at a way to do something with reasonable time and effort, I look for another way or it doesnt' get done anymore. Dan Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMARTINKNIVES Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Looks great, keep em coming. Peter Peter Martin Knives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil gagnon Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 looks great, nice blade "One who is samurai must before all things" Keep constantly in mind, by day and by night. the fact that he has to die... -Dai Doji Yuzon- 16th Century http://sites.google.com/site/canadianliveblade/home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Richards Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Nice Dan, Looks great as usual. I love the low contrast stuff. Really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks again, all. Ya Chuck, that's the look I was going for. A real PITA to photograph. My best attempt at some sort of hada (grain/layers) in the steel. Probably a reasonable end product in my suburban two car garage/shop. I'm still getting a little trouble with the last welds, evident in the weld lines close the the edge (or what would be the center of the billet, and the last weld). They're all solid, exept for one tiny bad one to keep me irritated. Dan Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christoph Alpermann Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) Hi Dan, that hada looks fantastic! Everything, the sugata, the hi, the habaki, the hamon fits together nicely. Do you plan on mounting it? Buke Zukuri, aikuchi, shirasaya? Edited January 2, 2009 by Christoph Alpermann I love the smell of freshly molten Borax in the morning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 I'll do a shira saya first, then I'm thinking of an aikuchi mount, which I havn't tried yet. I hope to accentuate the width and everything with a long, narrow, oval cross section in the tsuka and fittings. We'll see. Dan Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabeswordsmith Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 glad to see a blade by you on here!! Looks great! What a way to finish off the year and also start off the new year Scott Scott Hale - www.halestormforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Wheeler Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 That's beautiful Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 i can sympathize in how long it would have taken to cut that into the blade .. but i think you are right ... it really gives it something else and the grain in the blade just tips the scales even further. very kewl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) ....and after a weekend of getting covered in wood dust, we have a shira saya. This one came out pretty decent, for me. Things seem to fit right and no major "ickies". The people here that know me know I wouldn't normally do things like this very fast, but you guys inspire me. Just poplar wood, in an oval style for the shira saya. Next week the koshirea? Could be. Thanks much to you too Nick and Dee and all. Dan Edited January 4, 2009 by dan pfanenstiel Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Wheeler Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 WOW!!!! Elegant. Beautiful. Timeless. Whicked. You rock Dan. (we need that "kneeling, not worthy" smiley here!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Richards Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I think it looks great the way it is. Very simple and elegant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Tingle Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hello Dan, That looks great. I really love your work. Are you back from your "retirement" ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Potter Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Nice work. Ben Potter Bladesmith It's not that I would trade my lot Or any other man's, Nor that I will be ashamed Of my work torn hands- For I have chosen the path I tread Knowing it would be steep, And I will take the joys thereof And the consequences reap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks again all, glad I can still widen a few eyes once in a while Chuck, I've always liked the shira saya look too, but someone who owned the blade should never use it as a weapon in such a mounting. My goal is to offer these higher end blades in both the storage mount and a full mount as a package. The customer would recieve a wooden box with the package of both mounts and blade inside, and be able to display it however he/she wanted. It's a tall order and usually is accomplished by several craftsmen. Hey Dennis, good to see you here. This blade is sort of a culmination of why I took a couple of years off. For those who don't know, I decided to take a two year sabatical from shows or entertaining any custom orders to further my skills a bit. I work a full time job so it wasn't a big stretch, just meant I sorta went underground for a while. While I don't anticipate ever knowing enough about it, I wanted to give myself a push in some areas of blade making without outside influence. Not nearly as dramatic as it sounds, just a vacation and play out in the shop when I felt like it (which wasn't as much as I would have thought). Anyhoo, I'm back at it with a different attitude and new goals. Hopefully I'll get started on a new web site and actually get some pieces finished and up for sale in the near future. I'd also like to do a couple of shows, those are fun. Dan Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Dan, that looks fantastic what a great overall piece. Even in the shira it looks cool! Let not the swords of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabeswordsmith Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 funny Dan, how making a blade and the time to complete it from heat to full mounting, can take a lot out of a fella. ESPECIALLY when you work a full time job. Just the hands on experience and learning for (like me) the amateurs takes a lot of time and can often feel like it is a lot of work and how much you gain from it in the end. It often makes me feel like I need to take a break (especially when the wife tells you, you are neglecting chores and such.. ) But when you finish one and you admire your own work, then others admire it and ask "Did you really make that?" it subsides some of that doubt. Glad to see you being inspired Dan, Your work is great and it in return inspires us back. Keep it up. Scott Hale - www.halestormforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Anderson Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 funny Dan, how making a blade and the time to complete it from heat to full mounting, can take a lot out of a fella. ESPECIALLY when you work a full time job. Just the hands on experience and learning for (like me) the amateurs takes a lot of time and can often feel like it is a lot of work and how much you gain from it in the end. It often makes me feel like I need to take a break (especially when the wife tells you, you are neglecting chores and such.. ) But when you finish one and you admire your own work, then others admire it and ask "Did you really make that?" it subsides some of that doubt. Glad to see you being inspired Dan, Your work is great and it in return inspires us back. Keep it up. Incredibly well said Scott =). Cris Slow is smooth, smooth is steady, steady is fast, fast is deadly... Erik R. http://www.facebook.com/scorpionforge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoltan Csaszi Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 AAAAHHHH! Perfect! Regards, Zoltan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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