Learn how to make two types of Japanese knives: a tanto (dagger) and a hocho (chef's knife) following traditional techniques. With step-by-step images and clear instructions, this how-to guide covers acquiring iron ore, building and using a bloomery furnace, forging the blades, fitting the blades with handles, and sharpening the blades with water stones. The process is further detailed with images that illustrate the structure of the blade and diagrams showing the construction of each knife. In addition, a history of these legendary blades, methods for determining carbon content, and tips on caring for the completed blades are included. This is an ideal bladesmithing book for intermediate to expert level metalworkers.

The art of forging multiple layers of steel together into beautiful, strong, and sharp Damascus steel blades started millenia ago. Now, with this guide, novice blacksmiths and bladesmiths have a practical and budget-conscious approach to forging their own Damascus steel knives. Starting with the basics, this practical guide shows how easy it can be to build a simple Damascus-grade forge; forge Damascus steel into different patterns; and forge a blade into shape, harden it, and turn it into a finished knife. Sketches, step-by-step instructions, and tools and materials lists help you prepare and work through the project methodically and safely. Complete with tips for sharpening Damascus steel blades and insights on the metallurgy behind this special steel, this guide is ideal for the metalworking hobbyist.

Sales of Japanese kitchen knives are booming in the U.S. But how many people have the skills to use these superbly-crafted tools to full advantage? Now, internationally renowned chef Hiromitsu Nozaki shares his expertise and insights in a book that will help anyone who owns a Japanese knife to maximize its performance. In Japanese Kitchen Knives, Nozaki teaches the reader how to use usuba, deba and yanagiba, the three main traditional Japanese knives. He explains many essential techniques, such as the importance of understanding blade angle and point of force, and illustrates these lessons by working with ingredients familiar to western readers, like carrots and rainbow trout. Color photos and Nozaki’s commentary further clarify the process, and the pictures are taken from the chef’s perspective for easier understanding (most other books take photos from the reverse perspective). Each technique is accompanied by recipes that require its use, and all recipes are very simple, using easy-to-acquire ingredients. Other sections include a look at artisanal Japanese knife — making and information on sharpening, storing and identifying the variety of Japanese knives. Specialty knives are shown on location, from the unique unagi eel knife in an unagi specialty restaurant to the colossal tuna filleting knife in Tsukiji fish market.

With over 300 step-by-step pictures, the Backyard Bowyer is geared for the beginning bowyer, backyard hobbyist, and anyone who has ever pondered building a wooden bow. Easy to read and follow steps go down to even the smallest detail in the design and construction of basic archery bows. Learn to craft fine wooden bows without huge investment in equipment and materials, and without being bound by location and limited workspace. Learn to construct: A classic target flat bow, an English Longbow suitable for hunting, and even your own strings and arrows for traditional and primitive archery.

Make your own folding pocketknife with this easy-to-follow guide. Step by step, this instructional manual unfolds the secrets of constructing a slip-joint folding knife, which is held open by spring force and friction. In addition to introducing different variations of this knife style, this guide presents the materials, tools, and technical design skills needed for the project. Diagrams clearly demonstrate the mechanics of your knife and the crucial elements needed to make a properly functioning pocketknife. Detailed step-by-step explanations move from template to finished knife -- even beginners can master this project with minimal tool requirements. Once the knife project is complete, you can use the processes in this guide and your own creativity to construct a special knife of your own design.

Powerful bladesmithing techniques for advanced knife and sword makers Do you crave the challenge of making the 'perfect knife'? Does your pride in your bladesmithing skills motivate you to take them to the next level? Are you constantly inspired by popular bladesmithing TV shows, and want to improve and compare to the master bladesmiths present on them? My name is Wes Sander, and like you, I too strive to better my bladesmithing craft and take it to the next level. Throughout my journey, I have learned several advanced techniques and discovered some powerful secrets that have helped me forge better knives. I will share them in this book. If making the same knife bores you and you constantly search for adding a new twist to your creations... If you want to deepen your knowledge to forge better blades, then this book is for you. In this book you will learn about: - The 10 step method to forging a pattern welded Damascus sword - 4 techniques that will 'reveal' the end grain texture of your Damascus blade - How to make mosaic Damascus patterns in your sword using the 'spiderwebs' technique - How to forge, assemble, heat treat and polish a Japanese sword - The secret temperature to correctly temper your Japanese blade - How to make your first sword scabbard - The #1 solution you should use while acid etching your knife - 3 simple 'hacks' to finding the perfect raw materials for using scrimshaw on your knife Here are the answers to some questions you might have about this book: Q: What kind of techniques will I get to learn in this book? A: You will get to learn to multiple advanced techniques like stainless steel forging, Japanese bladesmithing, Pattern welded Damascus forging, etching Damascus steel and more. Q: Will I get to learn how to properly heat treat the different kinds of blades that are included in this book? A: Of course. This book has special heat treating procedures for stainless steel, Damascus steel, and Japanese swords. Q: I sell the knives that I make. Can using these advanced techniques help me charge higher prices from my clients? A: While I can't guarantee any monetary profit from this book, blades that have used techniques like the ones taught in this book have been known to be prized and will probably fetch higher prices than the average blade convention knife. If you sell your creations, you will cherish the look on your client's face when your knife or sword meets their expectations! ☆★☆ Buy the $19.97 paperback version and get the $2.99 Kindle version for absolutely FREE☆★☆ The number of ideas you can realize for your creations is directly related to your understanding of various bladesmithing techniques and the characteristics of different materials. Every day that you delay is another day that you stagnate in your growth as a bladesmith. Take action now and buy this book using the 'Buy now with 1-click' button

Bladesmithing with Murray Carter provides the reader with an in-depth look into traditional Japanese Cutlery forging techniques and their modern applications. A non-stop flow of inquiries to Murray has prompted him to reveal the secret techniques learned during 18 years in Japan, where he lived and worked as a village bladesmith. He now shares this wealth of information for the benefit of the curious reader and Japanese knife enthusiast alike. Owners of nearly 15,000 of Murray's knives will be delighted to see a comprehensive book written by the knives' creator. Features: 250+ dazzling, full-color images, including many by renowned photographer Hiro Soga. Unique and extremely rare insight into the Japanese culture through the (blue) eyes of a Japanese village bladesmith. Detailed explanations of Traditional Japanese Bladesmithing techniques that until now have been cloaked in mystery and myth. Enough detailed information to guide an aspiring bladesmith to become a successful smith in the Japanese style of blade making.

In A Modern Guide to Knifemaking, survivalist Laura Zerra, one of the stars of Naked and Afraid on the Discovery Channel, shares her essential knifemaking tips and tricks, including step-by-step instructions for both forging and stock removal. We all use a knife pretty much every day, but for Zerra, her daily life often depends on the blade she takes with her into the wild. She's learned about what works and what doesn't, what steel will hold an edge, and what nuances in blade design will make or break a knife. From design to sharpening, A Modern Guide to Knifemaking covers every step in the knifemaking process. To begin, you will consider what you want your knife to accomplish, develop a design, and make a prototype. Zerra takes you through choosing and buying steel for your knife and then teaches you to build your own forge. You will learn forging basics and then move on to forge the shape of your knife and make the blade tip. From there, you will cut the blade profile, grind in bevels to make the edge of the knife, heat treat and temper your blade, grind and polish it, and make a handle and sheath for it. You will also learn sharpening techniques to maintain the edge of your new knife. Throughout, Zerra has included Pro-Tips from some of the leading knifemakers working today including Ken Onion, Kaila Cumings, and Mike Jones. A Modern Guide to Knifemaking covers every detail of knifemaking so you can make yourself the perfect knife.

An in-depth exploration of the effects of different steels, heat treatments, and edge geometries on knife performance. This book provides ratings for toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance for all of the popular knife steels. Micrographs of over 50 steels. Specific recommended heat treatments for each steel. And answers to questions like: 1) Does a thinner or thicker edge last longer? 2) What heat treatment leads to the best performance? 3) Are there performance benefits to forging blades? 4) Should I use stainless or carbon steel? All of these questions and more are answered by a metallurgist who grew up around the knife industry.

An illustrated, practical guide to everything you need to know about using knives in the kitchen. As the number of gourmet home kitchens burgeons, so does the number of home cooks who want to become proficient users of the professional-caliber equipment they own. And of all kitchen skills, perhaps the most critical are those involving the proper use of knives. Norman Weinstein has been teaching his knife skills workshop at New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education for more than a decade—and his classes always sell out. That’s because Weinstein focuses so squarely on the needs of the nonprofessional cook, providing basic instruction in knife techniques that maximize efficiency while placing the least possible stress on the user’s arm. Now, Mastering Knife Skills brings Weinstein’s well-honed knowledge to home cooks everywhere. Whether you want to dice an onion with the speed and dexterity of a TV chef, carve a roast like an expert, bone a chicken quickly and neatly, or just learn how to hold a knife in the right way, Mastering Knife Skills will be your go-to manual. Each cutting, slicing, and chopping method is thoroughly explained—and illustrated with clear, step-by-step photographs. Extras include information on knife construction, knife makers and types, knife maintenance and safety, and cutting boards. “In the old days, when kitchens weren’t equipped with a lot of fancy gadgets, a skilled chef needed only one tool to ply his trade: a sharp knife. This book will introduce novice cooks to and reacquaint experienced chefs with everything they need to know about a good knife and the art of using it.” —Cecilia Chiang, James Beard Award–winning restaurateur and author of The Seventh Daughter “This beautifully illustrated book, written with passion and precision, minces no words in guiding the reader to choose, maintain, and use a knife. Indispensable for anyone who prepares food, it has taught me how to cut produce much more efficiently.” —David Karp, Fruit Detective