Thanks for your inquiry. While our Intermediate Forging Course does include the folding and forge-welding of a billet prior to forging the sword, the Basic Forging Course covers the forge-welding process but without folding.

The length of the sword made in the basic class is wakizashi, between one and two feet. It would be unlikely for a novice to forge a four foot blade in the five days of class. Indeed, I would find it very difficult myself.

I hope you can join us this year for one of the classes. You might learn that a short sword of quality is a challenge in itself.

Our sword forging classes are five days long and run from 9AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. This week is used solely in forging, shaping, heat treating and grinding to final shape a blade of 50 to 60 centimeters in length. There is usually no time for further progress.

However, as you may have seen on our web-site, we also offer instruction in almost all areas of the sword crafts, and it is possible to take a course on handle and scabbard making as well as sharpening and basic polishing.

I hope the above answers your questions. Please feel free to contact us if you require additional information.

I’m interested to be at a forging swords courses but do you learn how to make handle? how to sharp and polish the sword?
Thank you and have a good day

Hubert

Thanks for the inquiry.

We recommend taking classes in whatever aspect of sword making that interest you most. This way you can better determine if the craft suits you and in which direction you might want to go. It also allows us to get to know you.

Apprenticeships are a very familial relationship and it is important that we each understand the strengths and weaknesses of all involved. It also requires a strong commitment from both parties for an indefinite length of time. My own apprenticeship with Mr. Nakajima was five years, but in some cases more time is required for mastery.

I hope this answers your questions. I encourage you to take a course and see how much you enjoy it.

I look forward to meeting you.

Thank you for your interest in our swordsmithing school, Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo (Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School).

Although we have no more classes scheduled for 2011, our 2012 course schedule has already been determined and the schedule can be seen at our school’s webpage, Tomboyama – Calender. Our first class for next year is our March 26-30, Basic Forging Course and spaces in the session are available at this time.

To reserve one’s place in a class, a deposit is required. For the Basic Forging Course and other five day courses, the deposit required is $350, payable online via PayPal through our school’s website, or by check or money order, and refundable up 60 days before the scheduled session. The remaining tuition ($1,000 for 5-day courses) isn’t due until the first day of class, payable by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

Please feel free to contact as if you have further questions or if someone on our website is unclear. You may also reach us by telephone at (541) 396-3605.

We would love to have you attend one of our school’s classes.