Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Apr 20, 2010 10:14am | #1

   Zen and sharpening

   Impatience is the only explanation for such complaints. It takes time to become one with one's Katana (or, chisel).  ;-)

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Apr 21, 2010 06:34pm | #2

   In one of my previous work lives I used to travel to Japan frequently. During one of those trips I toured a museum that specialized in the samurai and kendo traditions. I saw a demonstration of the sharpness of the short sword (wakizashi) that was amazing.  This demonstration involved holding a large piece of cardboard (the kind used in department stores for boxes) and holding the sword between the thumb and index fingers.  The weight of the sword was sufficient to cut cleanly through the cardboard - swish!  Too big for whittlin', though! :<)

   Regards,

   Ron

2. 
   RichClark | Apr 21, 2010 10:04pm | #3

   Ascent of man <- hope that is right spelling i apologise if not

   There ya go spelling thingie would be helpful...

   When I was in HS,   um... 35 years ago.. for English we got "Crasy Kryston" one of three english teachers and He Made us troop into the Visual Arts area and watch an episode of "Ascent of Man"

   The Show was about man and his growing in teh power of his mind and understanding... 

   One segment was about the discovery of Forged Steel and It was awesome..  beyond the sharpening they filmed a Master MAKING a Sword and the steps involved stoping to be scientific at time (electron Microscopes showing the difference from the back of the blade to the edge and the finer and finer grain being achieved) How the spine was formed and such... It was incredible (obviously with me remember it now at 52) The blade is foldeded by hand hundreds of times to achieve the raw material...  then the forming .. then the edge making...

   The Final test use to be on a person sentenced to death.. but now they make a straw maniquine....  Head decapitated. Arm dismembered from the body.. then Torso cut cleanly. before the body can fall..

   Was rapture to watch.

   Rich

1. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 21, 2010 10:17pm | #5

   Rich.. My sons name.. Sort of like my old Acient History teacher. She was very old also... Nobody like her class but me... I would think...  No films then at school but she could read a chapter or two out of some old book that just made me want to read it also!

2. 
   roc | Apr 21, 2010 10:12pm | #4

   I was wondering the other day

   to a coworker :  "Can you picture a Samurai  dude after a couple of encounters?  I mean how many battles does the Shogun get out of a Samurai before he is missing so many parts that . . .

   Well I better stop there.  They call them one body swords, two body swords etc. so limbs, hands, butt cheeks don't even move the needle off zero on the scale of sharpness.

   Then I have yet to see a Samurai  sword with nicks in it.  The swords must have looked as bad as the dudes after one or two engagements.

   I think I am thinking too much again.  I think.

   what do you think ?

   PS:  Please I DO NOT mean to disparage the Japanese and their history, tradition and masters.  I have great, great respect for the metallurgy and woodworking tools etc.  These are serious observations and ruminations.

   
3. 
   fxston | Apr 21, 2010 11:34pm | #6

   Japanese Samurai Iron

   The Japanese knife, chisel makers spend years forging metal from old anchors from ancient ships until they master the craft.  I purchased a few Japanese chisels that were expensive and the edge they hold is amazing.  Its the iron density inconjunction with a top waterstone  that makes the difference.  Patience also!

   Rex