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Bladesmithing has long, proud traditions in Japan where some traditional techniques are maintained and others are updated as new tools and materials enable even better blades to be created. The famous Samurai swords are still made in Japan but for most of us, high-quality carbon steel chef blades are a more practical way to enjoy the results of these long traditions. TosaOne of the main centres for bladesmithing in Japan is Tosa, located on the Southern coast of the island of Shikoku. …

By Bjorn JacobsenHad a blast making these two chef knives before going to Norway in July 2023, here is the build article if wanting to see how it came together.Components Steel: Takefu DSP Clad Yu-shoku 9 Multilayer + TAKEFU VToku2 coreHandle: Norway Spruce Pine cone stabilised, encased in orange resinSpacers: White G10Etch: Instant CoffeeSo the edge steel is a Japanese carbon steel called V-Toku2 while the cladding is stainless steel with layers of brass and copper in between. This is anot …

Choosing the the right steel type for knife makingAre you looking for flat steel bars for making blades but unsure of how to choose the right type for your need? Look no further, here is a quick buyer’s guide to some of the more popular steel flat bar types used by knife makers. We will cover what you need to know to select the steel bar for your next project. Covering both quality and performance and trying to differentiate what each type is especially suited for.This is a guide to the bes …

Uncover the Hidden Artistry:Find the Perfect Blacksmith Near You for Custom Forged CreationsStep into a world where craftsmanship and creativity collide, unveiling the hidden artistry of custom forged creations. If you're searching for an exceptional blacksmith who possesses the skill to turn your visions into reality, then look no further. At Nordic Edge we understand the power of a beautifully crafted piece, one that tells a unique story and captures the essence of its owner. With our e …

Meet The Maker – Jake Summerell from 116 Blades MTM #24 by Bjorn Jacobsen, June 2023Jake is a maker from Bega, NSW that over the last few years really has made people sit up and take notice of his work. As recent as the Melbourne Knife Show in May 2023 Jake won not one but two awards – Best Forged Knife AND Best Kitchen Knife. At the 2022 QLD Knife Show he took out the coveted Best Damascus Knife. Jake’s engineering background hel …

The Glasshouse Gallery in Port Macquarie, NSW is holding a National Blacksmith Survey Exhibtion from December 2023 - February 2024.There will be an exhibit in the main gallery showcasing blacksmithing work from all over Australia.Help make the sculpturePart of the opening ceremony will be the assembly of a collaborative work called "Needle Stack", designed by Will Maguire. Will Maguire is working with the Glasshouse on inviting everyone doing blacksmithing in Australia to take part.Wil …

Takefu Specialty Steel, JapanBy Bjorn JacobsenJapanese steels are known as high-quality steel, often used in high-end chef knives. One of the oldest and most respected manufacturers in Japan is Takefu Specialty Steel, who make several versions of laminated steels for knife makers.At the Melbourne Knife Show in May 2023, I picked up a couple of bars of Takefu steel after admiring Jake Summerell's beautiful chef knife in the 20 layer carbon steel clad V-Toku2 steel. Jake was not only kind eno …

The Australian Knife Making Awards is a free to enter, online knife making competition run every year in May.The 2023 AWARDS ended Wed 31st of May with the Winner Announcement live stream where Riley Burns from Nordic Edge and Christian Mathieson from the Australian Knifemakers Guild showed all 12 winners across the 4 categories.Here are the summary slides from the live stream if wanting to catch up on this year's winners and prizes:Riley:Before we start showing the winning knives; let's ju …

Alec Smart from the Manly Daily were kind enough to come by and take some photos from a workshop recently.Putting togeher an article in the Manly Daily: LINK

Summary slides from Live Stream on the Facebook Group Wed 24th of May,where Riley Burns and Christian Mathieson had Shawn McIntyre, Mastersmith on as a guest presenter to discuss the scoring used by the judges at the Australian Knifemaking Awards. As well as the judging comments as a way of providing feedback to the makers taking part.The guys also covered the sponsors and prizes for the AWARDS 2023, and had a giveaway quiz at the end as always on the live streams.A massive thank you to the part …