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

have a picture here of the hitler youth knife...
thought the same thing when i saw it, but maybe just the same style

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

Ok, now I remember seeing some of your work. Very cool blades. Thanks for showing them. Post pics when you complete the others.

Mark<><

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

I know jake , he is a fine artist makes great swords Thanks folks for the Links

Hey Bubba... good to see you again.. Great work as always!

Hey Buddy , hows it going . I just joined this forum . Its nice to see a good site that is primarily focused on forging work . I tried starting a forum just for that purpose but, I couldn't attract enough members ? too many grinders and waterjets . Not true bladesmith work . I think I will enjoy myself here .
Take care Bubba

you and I should get together for collaboration, as I dont do anything as good as these bits of yours. just the blades, Nice work

Sure thing Steve, I like doing collaborative work . Most of my furniture is forged but, I do a little casting work also .

Here are a few things I make/ forge The first piece is an abstract of man with turban made from shibuichi, the second is a fine silver tsuba (plain) the third is another tsuba made from shibu also with a bit of gold , 4th is another tsuba made from shibu also and the fuchi / kashira is made from shakudo with pine needle pattern . Thanks for looking . Bubba-san

awesome work!

Gene

Thanks Gene and Phil , I appreciate much ....... Domo Arigato

Thanks Phil , I get lucky once in a while , for every one that turns out OK ! there are 3-4 that dont . regards Bubba

Hello folks , thought I would post a few of my forged blades . One is a damascus Tanto with shibuichi fittings , The other is a large tanto , it was made using antique fittings . The blade was forged with W-2 . The ito wrap is original . regards....... Bubba-san

you got a 55 gal drum of oil laying around ?

Hello steve , as a matter of fact I do have some Parks 50 in a 50 gallon drum , I guess just bring to crtical non magnetic and drop her in . Down her in the sticks , I have seen Tom Clark (Deceased)owner of ozarks school of blacksmithing . He would start a fire near the edge of his pond , get the anvil good and hot , when ready he would roll them into the pond !!! ouch I dont have the nerve to do that . But, apparently Tom had been doing that for 40 -50 years and he had the tecnique down .His anvils were quite good .

Great work , I made a couple of them a few years ago but, I never could get a decent Hamon ? I found out later I used 1060 (modified ) had a little too much manganese and chrome . It did turn out pretty good , nice sharp and good profile . It was also a kamakura type blade . You did a great job .

Thanks for the welcome , glad to be a part of your community here at IFI . I hope to learn some new stuff, and maybe pass a few of my own experiences along. Regards bubba-san

I have a big piece of S-7 I am going to use as anvil , It was a leftover piece from a company that sells anvils . Since its so big I would presume it needs an oil quench ? it weighs about 95 Lb and is shaped like traditional japanese anvil 5" wide 12 " long and 14" high .

Hello how are you folks , I am new to site . Have been knife and swordsmith for some years . Specializing in Japanese blades and hardware .I make a little Tamahagane once in a while . I recognise a few of you iron beaters . Glad to be here . I live in a little town in Mo. called Steelville ( old mining town ) comes in handy when you are looking for some hematite or magnetite for forging . regards James J. Bieler ( Bubba-san)