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What would you like to ask to Pierre ?
Property Type: Ask Pierre, Japanese Sword Forging
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, nearby a fire, with steel only for raw material, doing a work that never ceases to bring renewal and wonder, delighted him very much and In December 2005 he decided to chase his dreams and took of to Japan to start his Smith apprenticeship.
Now, anno 2009, he is still living and studying there and his aim is to become a licensed (westerner) swordsmith in Japan.
To quote Pierre :
“I’m at this point where I have touched everything, tried every technique but haven’t mastered anything! It’s very challenging and stimulating at the same time.”
I’m not sure about you but I’m very curious in such a way of living and Pierre is willing to accept questions and doing an interview..so…
Wondering how it is to chase an living your dream, this is your chance !!
Put your questions (regarding Japanese Swords) in the comment box below, or in the box on the right side of this video and we make sure they got included in the interview. If there’s enough interest, we might plan to do some other things as well 
Hello Pierre ,
Hope you’re ok there at the forge.I was wondering , how importend is balans and weight in constructing a sword (as the feel off a real combat weapon) to a contemporary japanese swordsmidt ?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Fine regards.
Philip
gday pierre. iam an australian recently married and moved to philipines. as the only foreigner in family here , the uncle has asked me to sell a world war 2 japanese officer sword. iam usure of exatly what it is . katana or samuri.
the sword has been buried for a long time and as such is rust pitted and has no original handle or sheath.
it has a very distinct ring of a well worked piece of steel when tapped on hard surface , so i believe it is genuine.
the family here have had a handle braised on to sword , big mistake i know ,but cant do much about that now.
\could you help point me in the right direction as to a good place to sell this sword please. is ebay a viable option or should we sell privately?
i was asked to buy it originally, but i think i would give alot less than it’s worth. i want the family to benefit from it’s sale not me.
any help or advice would be appreciated…………..regards johnno
Hello,
do you want to sell your swords in the western world? Or do you want to »come back« and work as swordsmith? I think we all would appreciate to buy swords from you. The art should be developed in the western area too.
With regards,
Cornelius
Hi Pierre.
If you don’t know the type of steel/carbon content you are going to treat with traditional claycoating and water quencing – Do you have any tips on what to do to optain strong hamon and no cracks in a katanalength blade. I realize that you can’t really give any guaranties for succes, but I would like to hear your opinion. Thanks.
/Loke Emil Petersen
Hi Pierre,
I would like to know more about the L-6 bainite blades. I have read some good things about them but would like to ask someone who knows more about it than me. Thanks. Sam