Tools for Satoyama - Stream, Field, Forest, Mountain

[DaveJ]

...this project has been a long time coming but is finally off the ground...some of the background and concept:

 

Satoyama are the managed forest areas that border the cultivated fields and the mountain wilds in Japan. Historically they provided fertilizer, firewood, edible plants, mushrooms, fish, and game, and supported local industries such as farming, construction, and charcoal making. Balancing the interaction of wetlands, streams, forests, and fields is an important component of the satoyama landscape and allows for sustainable use of the rich resources they offer.

 

About the Tools for Satoyama Project (more: islandblacksmith.ca/2016/03/tools-for-satoyama)

 

The Tools for Satoyama project is inspired by this mutually beneficial interaction between humans and the natural world, a robust way of life that sustained both for centuries. Among the goals of the project are contributing to the growing awareness of the satoyama concept, sustainable practices, thoughtful approaches to intentional living, and related historical learning.

 

The four styles of kotanto knives designed for the project are named for the four main areas found within the satoyama landscape: stream, field, forest, and mountain. In addition, the forest and mountain models also come in a full sized tanto configuration. Some of the core characteristics of the knives produced for this project are the reclaimed and natural source materials, use of traditional techniques, and a humble and simple style of carving and finishing.

 

 

A charcoal forged blade, water quenched with clay, sharpened with waterstones, and finished simply and humbly in the age-old style of farm and foresting tools used in managing satoyama, the borderlands between village and wilds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Overview Video (more on the process: bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=34021)

 

Making the Mountain Kotanto: bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=34021

Making the Mountain Tanto: bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=34026

Design a Knife: islandblacksmith.ca/design-your-own-knife-tools-for-satoyama

[DaveJ]

 

 

 

[DaveJ]

 

[DaveJ]

 

[DaveJ]

 

[DaveJ]

and a full size tanto version of the mountain:

[Karim]

Very nice set of blades, thanks for posting

[Timothy Artymko]

Those are beautiful and i have admired your technique and style for quite some time, these are no exception!

[DaveJ]

thank you, gentlemen!

[Wes Detrick]

I think that more than anyone, to me your knives encapsulate the philosophy that the slight imperfections that come from something being handmade, not only do not detract from the knife, but instead elevate to something even more beautiful. While I don't make the same kind of knives you do, nor even in the same style, I have studied (and still do) the knives you make. I really try to use that philosophy you do so well in the things that I make in some ways.

I guess the idea of pursuing perfection is not something that I want to do, or at least in the way that people normally see it.

 

Thanks for that Dave.