Bubba-san

outstanding work , I like the whole pkg. you should be very proud of it .虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。 (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu) Domo Arigato jamuzu

You are correct in that some techniques were developed independently , scientificly speaking "contact" is the normal way of passing along ideas . As a trained archeologists You can only rely on current evidence and carbon dating etc: The dates I gave you are correct , directly from smithsonian archives . There is definate proof that the early copper culture amerinds from the great lakes area were the first real tool makers that utilised metal . See article from central states archeological society. I guess best is ok but, not in a foot race, first is better. I have been a swordsmith since I was 17 , I am now 64 . I studied in japan for 11 years while I was in military. I only rely on good basic evidence not speculation. The indians did not claim they were first , archeologists from the area did. The amerinds are long gone . respectfully....... James J Bieler Bubba-san forge

Historicly , a friction folder was excavated in Hallstatt it carbon dated to 600 Bc , similar blades were excavated in china that dated to 300 BC . there must have been some early contact between the two countries . Origin of the first makers is unknown ? I suspect the knife is older than one would think . another odd bit of info . The first metal tool makers were the american indians ? In the great lakes region examples of metal tools , made from float copper were dated to 7500 BC . The people of the middle east were the first jewelry makers . just some odd info I picked up as I was studying Archaic archeology at Washington Univ. in St louis Best regards Bubba

Looks the same to me ? Probably a theater blade that was altered a little .

Nice little blade I believe its a friction folder called a higonomaki , I know the japanese have been making them for at least 200 years , not sure of the true origin ? maybe chinese... . I do like it a lot. Bubba http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higonokami

Very nice , I really like the look . what kind of steel is the blade ? plough steel varies quite a bit . Maybe some 1060 or 1045 ?

Hello Larry welcome to IFI , I also am a new member , also a member of bam . Have been a bladesmith for 40 years but, I still learn something everyday . This seems like a good forum to learn some technique. I live in Steelville mo. regards ...... Bubba

Glad to meet you Tom, I have a lot of friends in arkansas. I can tell you are an advocational archeologist. I have a huge collection of stone tools , axes , pottery all found in missouri after the floods of 1982. Been a member of Central states archeoligical society for over 30 years .I had so much stuff I had to haul it away in a pick-up truck ! My wife made me sell some pieces a few years ago to make a new bedroom , should have never did that . The better pieces just keep gaining in value despite the economy. Maybe I will post some stone tools ? Do we have a forum for pre- columbian art ?? this is a small sample. regards .... Bubba

Real nice work Sam , how have you been ? Bubba-san

Thanks Mark , I certainly appreciate . Been under the weather a bit , I should be at it again soon . Bubba

Great work , I sometimes leave hammermarks on my blades , some folks like the look . I will take performance over looks most of the time . I have a couple of Japanese koshinata that were forged in the early shinto period on one of the small islands ... they are full of hammermarks . early farming and agricultural tools were often left in condition that shows hammermarks. I like both those pieces you made . regards Bubba-san

Hello folks , I thought I would post a few of my blades , the small blades are all Tamahagane except for a few sanmai/damascus . the one in shirasaya is nearly finished , I also make a sword or two whenever I get a consignment . best regards Bubba-san

Sorry for not introducing myself earlier , My name is James J Bieler . I specialize in japanese blades made from either sanmai or Tamahagane. I lived in japan for 11 years and learned my primary skill there . My friends call me Bubba-san , a name given to me by my sensei in Japan. Its a pleasure to be part of your forum, and I will do my best to worthy of being called a bladesmith . best Regards Bubba-san