New Folded & Forged Katana with hand polish

Ok after all of the troubles I’ve got with the Konron dudes (have to post that thing here some day) there’s finally light at the end of the long, dark funnel. A few weeks back we received the first monosteel katana sample from the Zhui Feng forge and last week the folded piece came in. Not necessary to say I was happy as a little child. Yeah, still after all of these years, when new pieces come... [Check the rest of the interview]

Katana Related Questions answered by Pierre…

I think that in many ways Nihonto evokes certain emotions in people. There is always an answer why people like them. Some people adore them for the fine pieces of art that they are. Other people have very strong sentiments regarding Nihonto, and have a special meaning why they love it, or what it does to them. My question is really a dubble question: What does it do to you when you help create a blade,... [Check the rest of the interview]

What do you think about this Katana Prototype ?

In case you are not interested in the story, you can see the detailed pictures of the prototype here and over here you can let us know how much it sucks These are the specifications by the way : Tsuka28cmSakihaba20mm Blade (from tsuba)73,4cmSakikasane5mm Point of Balance12,5cmKissaki35mm Motohaba30mmWeight1000 gram Motokasane7mmSori 18mm TsubaSteelSori TypeKoshi... [Check the rest of the interview]

How important is a Japanese Sword’s weight & balance ?

How important is balance and weight in the manufacture of a sword to a contemporary japanese swordsmith ? Obviously a fine sword has a fine feeling in hand. Some swords are made only for their look, and feel terrible in the hand. It’s up to each swordsmith to put more or less consideration into the actual practicality of a sword. Of course, there were many fencing styles and schools of sword... [Check the rest of the interview]

How is it to be a Japanese Swordsmith Apprentice ?

What do you do for a living while apprenticing? I have heard of apprentices living with their masters in a sort of barracks-style life. Traditionally, apprentices lived with their master’s family, being part of the family. That meant they also participated in daily chores. Newcomers would help the wife cook and clean around. Not much forging for the first year. Nowadays there are many different... [Check the rest of the interview]

Pierre , a Japanese Swordsmith Apprentice in Japan

Pierre at work in his smithy Hi everyone! I would like to thank you for your interest in my little adventure, and thank you for your questions. Such questions are the best way to understand myself, really, because I have to think about aspects of my life that I usually just live without much consideration. I enjoy the game and hope the answers are satisfying for you. What first interested you in becoming... [Check the rest of the interview]

What would you like to ask to Pierre ?

Through a couple of friends, I was able to get in touch with Pierre and was very , very excited about that. To keep things very short, Pierre is a “Western guy” who traveled for the first time to Japan in 2002 and was amazed by the fact that there were still real traditional swordsmiths living and working in Japan. The very idea of working alone, at peace, retired in a workshop set in the countryside,... [Check the rest of the interview]

Konron custom project – or how to make a leather ito yourself.

Article was written by Loke Emil Petersen This Konron custom project included a green high quality cotton Japanese kaku-sageo. The fuchi/kashira are standard Konron-stuff. It’s actually quite nice, but needed some bling-bling to it. Abrasive paper took some shiny brass into the floral design. The tsuba has had a treatment with iron chloride, heat treatment and wax coating. The saya is black gloss... [Check the rest of the interview]

How to make a Katana ?

Auteur: Kubikiri Asa Home made katana One of my interests is Japanese swords (and related weapons) and as I’m used doing some DIY with iron and wood, I’ve made some katana’s, naginata’s and yari’s, over the last years, and when people saw the results of my DIY actions, I frequently got the question “how do you make that?”, that’s why I’ve written down this little manual on how to... [Check the rest of the interview]

Update on Konron Delivery and new Katana boxes on the way

traditional made katana sword box by Konron Ok just a quick update from Konron since we got a ton of questions about the new shipment that was supposed to arrive end of January – beginning of February. Things got a little delayed as usual (adding more stuff & Chinese new year..)but the forge confirmed that there’s a delivery packed... [Check the rest of the interview]