Basic Forging Course
About the Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on metallurgy and proper shaping and aesthetics. All tools, fuel, and material included.
Price
The price of the course is $1350 and is limited to four students per session. A deposit of $350 is requested, refundable up to 60 days before the session begins.
Sessions Available
- April 23-27, 2012 – Basic Forging Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on
- July 16-20, 2012 – Basic Forging Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on
- June 25-29, 2012 – Basic Forging Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on
- March 26-30, 2012 – Basic Forging Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on
- October 1-5, 2012 – Basic Forging Course
This is a hands-on course designed to give the student a working familiarity with the tools and metals utilized in the forging of a sword blade. Each student will forge his own blade of at least wakizashi length from forge-welded steel cable. Skills learned will include forging, grinding, filing and heat-treating, with attendant emphasis on
Photos
FAQ
For more information on our school and swordsmithing courses, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.
When viewing the photos on this site re: basic forging what came to mind was “America, the land of cultural amnesia!”
Anyone with even the most rudimentary amount of knowledge about the forging of Samurai blades will shudder upon seeing the methods taught here, and the materials used.
I am not looking for 100% authenticity as far as compared to Japanese bladesmiths is concerned, but even a small amount would be nice. “forge-welded steel cable”? You’ve got to be kidding.
Dear Zews,
Regarding your comments on our basic forging course and the use of cable as a material, I will submit these thoughts for your consideration.
As you may know, I spent a five-year apprenticeship with master sword craftsman Nakajima Muneyoshi. Although he was very orthodox in his methods and materials he nevertheless recognized that conditions in America were very different and he encouraged us to experiment with new materials.
After many years of experimentation I developed a blade that is forged from cable. What resulted is a sword with superior cutting ability, tremendous durability, and a pleasing grain and hamon. In other words, a real sword and not a “wall-hanger”.
Although we can and do make more traditional swords of oroshigane we use the cable for teaching the basic forging course . This allows us to teach fundamental forge-welding techniques in the short period of time we have in a five day course. It would be impossible to do the preparation and folding stages in the allotted time frame. It should also be noted that once a bar of steel has been drawn out it is forged to shape and heat-treated in the same way as traditional steel.
The “modern” sword as it is seen now is over a thousand years old, and it, too, went through a series of innovations throughout its history. Even the swords made today are of a tradition that was more or less reinvented in the 1930′s because several generations had passed since swords were made and much had been lost or forgotten.
By the way, Tomboyama swords are known to the Japanese and their strength and cutting ability has been recognized and remarked upon with favor. Our Japanese colleagues find it interesting and are generally respectful of our efforts. In Japan it is against the law to forge a sword in any steel except tamahagane or oroshigane, and some smiths are envious of our freedom to experiment with other materials.
Any Japanese sword whether ancient or modern must still be a functioning sword to have value. Even a blade by a famous maker has little or no value if it is cracked or has compromised heat-treating. Our cable blades posses the same qualities as more traditional swords in that they are strong. cut very well and have beauty. They are art that can be depended upon as a weapon.
If you care to learn more, I humbly suggest you take one of our courses. You might be surprised at how orthodox we really are.
very well put mr.bell
I am curious if your instruction would lend itself to European swords as well; specifically a rapier.
Regards,
Bryant Fusco
Thank you for your interest in our swordsmithing school, Tomboyama Nihonto Tanren Dojo (Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School).
Do you have any prior experience forging?
A rapier is probably beyond the scope of most beginners. Most people believe that forging a double-edged sword is more difficult. The longer length and thin cross-section certainly add to the difficulty. Also, the heat-treatment process for European blades is different than that of the Japanese sword, making it outside the general focus of our school (although my father has forged rapier himself in the past).
Given these considerations, I believe we would maybe be hard-pressed to successfully execute such a project in the limited 5-day time period of the Basic Forging Course.
Hi! I would like to know the availability of your April forging class. Thank you!
Gary
Dear Gary Neff,
We have just recently finalized the 2012 schedule of our classes at our swordsmithing school. Our April Basic Forging Course is set to run from Monday, April 23 – Friday, April 27, 2012 and there are still spaces remaining.
A deposit is requested to reserve a student’s place in the session. Reservations can be made via our website, which links to PayPal for secure payment of the deposit.
Please feel free to contact if you have further questions, or if something on our website is unclear.
I’ve been looking into sword smithing for a few months now, actually wanting to committ to it fully and I’ve been looking into many different sites for schools or apprenticeships. I’ve had an interest in forging ever since my father got me started on a sword collection. I’m very curious in your school because u are a few hours away from where I live and I’d love to know if u accept payments or need full cash up front, and also times when u will have openings as I’ve seen ur basic beginning classes are done for this year.
Dear Kevin,
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.