Louie Mills - Yasutomo (康友) - Forging a Tanto, 2013 (full process)
**WARNING: This is the full version for study purposes, watch the shorter overview edit here: http://youtu.be/VqzaBZJDxIE
One of the best-kept secrets in North American bladesmithing and the closest thing we have to a living (inter)national treasure, Louie Mills began creating traditional Japanese swords in the early 1980's.
Working with top Japanese swordsmiths to refine his techniques, he became known for the finest traditional Japanese swords made in North America. The 2013 forging project was a major milestone as it was the first after Louie's recovery from a heart attack three years earlier. Filmed by Tony Mann.
_____
oroshigane - 0:33 (making steel from pure iron and charcoal)
tanren - 1:35 (folding and welding the steel)
sunobe - 16:37 (blade pre-form)
hizukuri - 23:35 (hammer shaping)
ara-shiage - 42:07 (rough shaping with files)
tsuchioki - 45:07 (applying the clay)
yaki-ire - 46:30 (hardening)
finished blade - 50:37 (after inspection polish)
_____
"My interest in Japanese swords began around 1974. Enjoying working with steel, but unable to afford to become a collector, I decided to learn how to make them myself. I started by taking basic blacksmithing craft courses, followed by self-instruction through reading, pictures, and trial and error (mostly error). In 1980, I met the Yoshihara brothers at the ABANA conference which, subsequently, enabled me to work with them on three occasions (workshops and public demonstrations), where I learned the basics of traditional Japanese bladesmithing." (from togiarts.com)
Louie was featured in an episode of Steel: The Works on The History Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3UILh0Nk4A
And his steel making process on Don Fogg's website:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110918010558/http://www.dfoggknives.com/Making%20Steel.htm
...more information about Louie and remaining available works can be found at http://togiarts.com
_____
Thanks to Tony for inviting me to be part of this project, and to Louie for allowing us to publish the footage and for being one of the pioneers of traditional Japanese swordsmithing in North America. Louie will be missed but his contribution to the bladesmithing world continues...ありがとう、康友 さん!
-
6:03:59
Akademiks
10 hours agoDrake sent Cease and Desist Letter to Kendrick Lamar over SuperBowl?? YSL Trial Erupts. JUDGE SNAPS!
43.3K12 -
2:25:55
Fresh and Fit
9 hours agoCharlie & Miguel Return to Fresh&Fit
75.8K17 -
1:34:26
Kim Iversen
11 hours agoBioLab On Fire, People Are Underwater and Is Israel Our Greatest Ally or Greatest Threat?
87.7K268 -
8:49
Colion Noir
9 hours agoIs Carbon Fiber The Future of Carry Guns | Kimber R7 Carbon Compact
49.6K28 -
1:14:31
Donald Trump Jr.
17 hours agoOn Every Issue, the Left is Lying, Interviews with Ned Ryun & Dinesh D’Souza | TRIGGERED Ep.178
140K166 -
3:15:49
The Breanna Morello Show
17 hours agoMike Benz in Studio: Hillary Clinton & John Kerry Declare War on First Amendment | The Breanna Morello Show
81.3K41 -
1:54:42
Kimberly Guilfoyle
14 hours agoSave America: President Trump in Erie, PA- Replay September 29
111K47 -
59:12
Flyover Conservatives
1 day agoUN Power Grab… Are They Using Google to Control Dissent and Push Propaganda? - Alex Newman; Economic Update - Dr. Kirk Elliott | FOC Show
71.2K8 -
1:13:55
Abigail Joy
8 hours agoYou're Not Bullish Enough! - Human 1.0 w/ Abigail Joy - September 30 2024 - LIVE STREAM
56.8K4 -
14:35
China Uncensored
9 hours agoI Wasn’t Expecting THIS Would Turn China Against Xi Jinping
62.2K18