Howard Clark Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 (edited) I think this is a really cool thread. Y'all are doin' some interesting work, and it is really neat to be able to see what other people are doing. The "just out of my control" part of this is what drives me, in some ways. I can get really close to controlling it the way I would like to, but never quite within my grasp, either. But that is what makes the quest worthwhile, is it not ? Dan, I do try to keep Keith busy, as much as I can help with that. I have a vested interest in keeping him happy, he makes me look good He does polish other blades, though, mostly it is just a matter of getting into the que. That can be difficult. Edited September 16, 2006 by Howard Clark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Vanspeybroeck Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Here is a hamon done by Randal Graham on W1 steel... Another larger section of the final finish of the same blade... One of mine. A beat up FatBoy tanto blade out of 5160 that has been bent over and staightened, hit with files and pounded into enough nasty stuff to break the tip off. One of Howard Clark's that was probably the most unique hamon I have ever seen on monosteel out of 1086 steel... 'Nuther one of Howard's. This one is a san mai construction where a core of 1086 (I think) was welded up to high layer count sides and made into a wakizashi. There was stuff in this blade I have never seen before as well and the utsuri (reflections/dark approximations of the hamon above the hardening line) was simply stunning... Notice how I put my junk in between pictures of stuff done by the really talented makers. Actually I have some stuff that is starting to look decent hamon-wise lately but I haven't been able to stop and shoot pictures.....some of the hamon on the 5160 tactical test pieces have been pretty nice if I *do* say so myself. Now I just gotta stop testing and finish a couple this fall. Brian "Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein "The innovator is not an opponent of the old. He is a proponent of the new." - Lyle E. Schaller http://home.mchsi.com/~hermits/BrianRVanSp..._Edged_Art.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Butler Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Here are two I Just finished up, one is for the SITH. Jens http://oakwoodforge.blogspot.com/ http://www.goldenboararmoury.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted September 17, 2006 Author Share Posted September 17, 2006 As I stated in previous post, I am absolutely amazed at what I see and it gives me some thing to strive for and as much as we try to deny what we really know to be true, is that we want to create the perfect hammon that will amaze everyone and that most would have a hard time beating. Well I am here to say that every one I have looked at, no matter how simple or complex it is they are all perfect. And the mere fact remains that we are affecting a change in the very steel and that it says something about about each and every bladesmith. And there is no real words for it only that each bladesmith feels it in his heart when he creates a new blade. WOW I think I hurt my headon that one. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Sisters Forge Posted September 17, 2006 Share Posted September 17, 2006 Beautiful Work !! Can the artist showcasing their work add pictures of how they are heat treating? Clay, temps, quench? Thank you. Here is a project from two years ago. 1095 forged Hog hunter. Big blade (11") with a two fisted handle. Thick clay coat, dried in front of my wifes wood fired oven, heat to 1600, water, triple temper at 350. Very clear straight hamon that the client requested. Clay is potter's raku clay. Today I do it very different, but have not photoed enough. Best to all, Jim Jim Allen Three Sisters Forge Bend, Oregon http://www.threesistersforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted September 18, 2006 Author Share Posted September 18, 2006 WOW again I mean man these hammons look fantastic. Thanks Howard you input is very welcome in here as I have admired your work for a very long time, even before I got into bladesmithing. Actually you and (The Late) Mr. Moran and a few others actually influenced me into bladesmithing, I have followed your experiences with certain types of steel and what you could accomplish with it. With bated breath to say the least. So my hat is off to the gents and ladies who contribute to the bladesmithing realm. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted October 2, 2006 Author Share Posted October 2, 2006 (edited) Come on guys, I know that there are more out there. I found this on ebay, a katana with a very nice hammon. I am not sure on the type as I think the guy described this a being sugha which would be wrong to me, as it looks like a dove tail hammon, I saw one some where on this forum before. Any thoughts would be appriciated. Edited October 2, 2006 by John Smith John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camerer Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Here is a pic of one that delivered over the weekend: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Well I have not checked in here, for a few weeks and I am sad to see no one posting any more picts of their hammons. I will be posting some picts shortly on a knife I am polishing. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt venier Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 (edited) Well here are my first two that survived the whole process 1095 and i'm sorry for not answering, I never noticed the question Edited January 17, 2007 by matt venier There's no kissaki like an O-kissaki!http://www.venierdesign.com/Venier_Design_Inc./Welcome.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Holly cow those are beautiful blades, what type of steel did you use? John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFogg Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 I apologize for not contributing to the hamon pictures. It is a good thread so here is one for the thread. 1095 1 Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Don that is a great hammon, I love the utsuri. I hope everyone that wants to will contribute. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Maresch Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Helly everybody. The inspiring pics of hamons here have had a lot of influence - here my first decent one: Blade is John Deere axle drive shaft ( is this 5160, or am I wrong?) quenched in oil Handle is Amboina Thanks everyone for making me clayhardening - this is SOOOO much fun!!!!! Mat www.mareschmesser.de Knifemaker, Germany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Wow, great work. I LOVE your hamons Mr Fogg, they always look like they are alive, and not in the sense of alive like vibrant and clear(though they are), I mean alive like an animal, or something. 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...
Walter Sorrells Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Here's my latest. It's W2/1095 folded steel. 1200 layers. There's a strange optical illusion that makes it look like there's a dip in the edge. I'm going to reshoot. But you can see the hamon fine. 3 Check out Walter's instructional videos: Forging Japanese Style Blades Making Hamons Japanese Sword Mounting Polishing Making Japanese Sword Fittings www.waltersorrellsblades.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFogg Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Dam Walter that is fine work. Thanks Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 Walter that is a beautiful hammon. I can barely wait for the video to be done. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Austwick Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 A Blade I made for a collaborative knife over on British Blades. Oz Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it. Take this to heart. - Toshitsugu Takamatsu English Martial Arts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hanson Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 Walter, Great hamon man !!! This ones a bit different and it's a folder. Steel is W1, I need to try W2 in one of these small forlder blades soon. 1 Don Hanson lll My Webpage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Furrer Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 Here is a 7 3/4" tanto about 1" wide which is forged from iron ore I smelted. I began with iron ore from central Wisconsin. The iron at this particular source is bound with granite and the material needed to be roasted, crushed and then smelted to separate out the iron. The pattern is hira-zukuri in an ayasugi (Gassan Style) hada. The hada is regular and the hamon has quite a bit of interesting activity. Traditionally on the ayasugi hada blades the hamon would be straight (suguha), but as I am not a member of that family I can take some liberties. The hamon has a nice turn back at the tip which I found difficult to photograph. Ric Richard Furrer Door County Forgeworks Sturgeon Bay, WI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. walters Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 Not one of mine, but one of the best I've seen: A tanto by Louis Mills I recently polished and here's one of mine: 1080 (really 1075 with low manganese from Admiral Steel),austenized in salts, water quenched. It's the most shallow hardening steel I've ever worked with and too crack-prone for my taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Not one of mine, but one of the best I've seen: A tanto by Louis Mills I recently polished and here's one of mine: 1080 (really 1075 with low manganese from Admiral Steel),austenized in salts, water quenched. It's the most shallow hardening steel I've ever worked with and too crack-prone for my taste. Rick, that's a nice tanto....like the asayugi hada... Joe, nice wak you made there. The piece by Louis is just amazing.... Regards, Mumtaz Baber Jack of all trades, master of none Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hanson Posted November 12, 2006 Share Posted November 12, 2006 Good lookin stuff Monty!!! Here's a shot that I may have shown here a while back but thought it would add to this thread. W1 kitchen knife blades. Don Hanson lll My Webpage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smith Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 Don I have to say your hammons and Walters really speak to us. No disrespect to anyone else but you have to admint their hammons really speak volumes to us as far as activity and design. I wish Rick Barrett would post in here his hammons are beautiful as well. John W Smithwww.smith-forge.orgFire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky. But Crom is your god, Crom and he lives in the earth. Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conan. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts.[Points to sword]This you can trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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