I have this horrible, yet wonderful problem of having so many ideas floating around in my head that I never know where to stop... or end. Recently I found a traditional style Japanese tanto on Etsy and decided to do some research on the smith of such a beautiful work of art. (Go ahead, check it out. It's beautiful and can be found here)
Other than the sheer beauty of this tanto, there are other reasons I am highlighting this piece. Slide over to this smiths website and you will understand why. Dave is the living representation of ideologies of modern blacksmithing that I did hours worth of research for my final independent study project. Dave uses entirely reclaimed materials and resources for all of his pieces. One of the arguments for today's revival of what was seeming to be the dying art of blacksmithing is the idea of using old things and turning them into something new. Many state that there is something appealing about holding something old in your hand, such as a railroad spike, and after a few hours at the forge, holding the same bulk of material in your hand only to be gazing upon something totally different whether it be a wall hook, ax, knife, or some sort of mounting bracket. Walk into your living room right now and turn on HGTV, History, TLC, or DIY. On all of those networks one can find at least five shows that are about some form of salvaging things off of or out of old buildings and establishments. Such a trend is a major driving factor in numerous ways of life right now. Second hand stores and yard sales are followed by a large representation of seriously devoted people, occupying neighborhoods or entire towns to hold an extravaganza of changing hands.
It seems that all things old are involved in this endless cycle of when they are wanted, not wanted, and ultimately discarded or destroyed. Say for instance: A man goes through his parents barn and finds a chair that was his as a child and has not been used since. The man then cleans the chair up, repairs if need be, and puts it in his house for his kids or grandchildren. Without a doubt, there is an immense feeling of satisfaction felt by the man, seeing younger generations get use out of something he used so much as a child and then repaired by his own hands. The same concept and cycle applies with smiths. Finding something old and turning in to something that other people use and receive satisfaction from is a driving factor in many smiths' work. This is what is sparking a revival of not entirely traditional blacksmithing, but a form of what I label as "neo-blacksmithing". This atmosphere is pulling in large numbers of young smiths, not unlike myself, that are drawn to this idea of finding, re-working, and re-using.
In closing, after scanning nearly every inch of Dave's site, having a conversation with him via email, and reflecting on all of this, I've decided to try my hand at my own tanto from reclaimed materials. I'll be happy if this blade is a fraction of the caliber of Dave's work, but we all have to start somewhere, right? The blade, pictured below in its rough, raw, early shape is forged from a tool steel jackhammer bit. The handle and sheath, or tsuka and the saya, will carved from some planed wood leftover from a cabinet (walnut), and fittings from an old copper pipe (if I can properly solder everything). So, that currently adds to the list of: 1 unfinished hatchet/tomahawk, 1 dagger, 1 work knife, and one decorative knife as a gift.
So much excitement, not enough time!
Cheers!
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