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 Newfangled Techniques and Materials. |
Higo Inspired, Wrought iron (Muck bar) This was a fun set. Muck bar is a relatively crude form of structural iron that was used to build things before modern steel came about. This particular piece was in the form of a very large wagon wheel. See the bottom picture for a cross-sectional view of the wheel used. (bottom sample). Similar to modern pattern welding many random sized pieces of iron where forged welded together and drawn out to create bars. Inside these old pieces of iron all kinds of interesting wood grain like patterns can be found. Treating it like wood I carve the shapes out of the bar of metal. Large slag pockets inside the iron create holes and wormy areas in the resulting parts further adding to the wood like nature of the pieces. Its finished off with a durable Sabetsuke Patina and is very black in color. The Tsuba is 3.11" tall. The fuchi is 1.6" tall
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Stainless Steel Mokume Here is something a little different. Stainless steel damascus or mokume if you like. Ric furrer of Door County Forge works created this pattern welded material from 300 series stainless steel. I put the 125 layer material through its paces. From Cold forming to chisel work though polish. Classical techniques were never meant to work material like this so I applied just about every power tool I own to get this far with it. So it is a bit of a departure from what have been doing for the last 5 years with the classical Japanese metal work. The set is not completely finished. I have installed the fine silver sekigane and a fine silver Tenjogane in the Fuchi. I made a Fine silver set of Seppa to go with it. Some Menuki are in the works and possibly Shitodome. I need to move on to the next project for now. If you are interested in the set drop a email Bladefittings@earthlink.net. The price of the set without menuki $2800 SOLD
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