Walter Sorrells Swordsmith

[shannon1664]

Look, no one is denying the artistic genius of the Japanese swordsmiths, and if you are a purist and you want a Katana crafted using only the ancient methods, I'm totally behind you. The truth, is, however, that using modern techniques and materials a sword can be forged that is sharper, stronger, just as flexible, and will last just as long. Gotta love the purists, though. If I had enough cash I'd certainly want one traditionally forged.

[HamsterPants522]

That's a nice anvil...

[SOVIETTACO]

uhhh did he forge the curvature cause that ain't right.... Seems like he just hammer out some bar stock into a blade and called that a sword.... so upsetting.

[aaroncjustice]

@SOVIETTACO You can forge a curve into a katana. Not all steels react the same in the quenching phase. If a blade only slightly curves during a quench, forging a curve in beforehand is important. Skillful, not novice at all.

[outuwana]

Walter phenomenal video! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I haven't ordered your video yet because I am still absorbing some literature about the trade. I wanted to ask you a couple of things: Does your forge work with propane? Any particular building plan you can point me to? And last, what is a good resource to buy steel from?

I know some of these things might be obvious, but I am just starting to understand the art.

Keep posting stuff man!

[jonneyj]

Where did you get the Japanese wall scroll images, i would love to have them, can you tell me where to get them??

[archtopone]

The music is distracting. It does not suit the set/backdrop of the video.

[savageknives1]

ive always wondered what the advantage to having such a great distance between face and handle is on the japanese style hammers. the japanese werent the kind to stick with a design that didnt work but ive always found a short distance in that area to be more satisfactory. any explanation?

[HoganBakerBladesmith]

Some of these guys have no idea what they are talking about. You make great swords! Thanks for showing some or you process.

[smithforge]

Wow Walter I am surprised you allowed some of these comments. Some of these epople have no clue what we do and how we do it and why we do what we do. They also do not understand that the Japanese used what they had. And the steel that we have today is far more superior to Tamahagane in may ways. Some need to not just read but listen. I for one think your Japanese Style Blades are wonderful and I could only aspire to be as good as you. Now do not get me wrong my blades are good. also LOL

[csninja]

for ppl who dont know katana is japanese for sword so technically this is a katana just not the same quality of those from japanese swords smiths

[Flumphinator]

@csninja

Go back to your anime, fatty.

[1metalnation]

yeah, according to just the language, katana means sword, however use the social and historical context of the word, this is not a katana, its a damn good replication, but it isnt a katana

[thetanukikaji]

Yeah it better.

[DemonWeasel1990]

He does well forging, he has the basics down but they are NOT real katana.

[Duhnata]

Walter sorrells is one of the best bladesmiths there is. Not the best but definatley one of the best. Do better then him, then you'll have room to critisize a master.

[IVARSWORD]

And you are just another Internet Expert trying to sound smart like anyone cares.

[slome815]

@DemonWeasel1990

Why not?

Because it is better steel then the old katanas ( if he used a decent tool steel it WILL be better)?

because it isn't made in a charcoal forge?

[1metalnation]

they are not real katana, because they are made using techniques far from those that made katana, he is a good blacksmith, yes, but true katana are made out of tamahogane, which by deffinition can only come from the island of Okinawa, and true tamahagane is far higher grade steel than any tool steel,

[slome815]

It is not. The main reason they folded the steel was to even out the impurities. Modern tool steels have a consistent quality wich. Also Tamahagane is a simpple carbon steel with very little extra aloy elements while some tool steels have extra aloy elements like mangane wich make the steel perform a lot better in long blades.

Tahamagane is just another old methode of making carbon steel just like wootz or sheffield are. The "tahamagane is better" keeps comming and never with a reason WHY.

[1metalnation]

tamahagane is better, because it is hand made, this work hardens the steel during the process of making it, creating a more uniform and higher quality carbon pattern, versus tool steel, which although high grade, falls short on this because it is poured into ingots before being made into something, thats why tamahagane is 50 times more expensive than a tool steel of equal carbon content

[aaroncjustice]

@1metalnation, No, no, very wrong. Tamahagane is not a very good steel, the reason why it is is used is because the refining process is so laborious, and it's the only steel Japan could get ahold of in abundance. Any modern tool steel will be purer, stronger, and more resilient than Tamahagane steel. Any metallurgist can verify this information, modern smelting is a science now, not an art like tamahagane. A katana can be forged by anyone with the proper knowledge and training.

[1metalnation]

oddly enough, on of my professors is a metallurgist, and also oddly enough, she agrees with me, weird how the practicing blacksmith (me) is correct when it comes to steel grades

[thetanukikaji]

Well then need to send us some real evidence to back what your saying up. How about you go over to a bladesmithing forum and see how fast evidence comes back to you which is contrary to what you believe. Weird how a practicing bladesmith knows more about blades than a general blacksmith.

[TOMHYLE88]

@aaroncjustice Actually while modern tool steel may be superior to tamahagane steel in a variety of ways, it is cetainly not purer; chemical analysis on tamahagane steel is that it contains only iron and carbon in deterctable amounts, ie it is literally pure steel. Tool steels are alloyed with other metals to improve their various properties for specific uses (edge holding, rust resistance, work hardening, air hardening, toughness, hardness, formability, abrasion resistance etc.)

[aaroncjustice]

@TOMHYLE88 Depends on what definition of "pure" you are referring to. Smelted tamahagane may be iron only, it can contain other trace impurities. It is forge folded to reduce problems like brittleness. Essentially mixed over itself to evenly distribute any compromising problems.

Modern tool steel may contain traces of chromium, vanadium, and other minerals, but by pure I meant it is one solid, homogenous bar of steel with no inclusions, slag, or other harmful problems.

[dig6dog]

@1metalnation it's not

[thetanukikaji]

1metalnation you REALLY need to go read some more.

[DemonWeasel1990]

Theses are merely half-assed american katanas. A true JAPANESE katana would cut his overpriced paperweights in half.

[aaroncjustice]

If you think any katana can simply cut another katana in half, you've been watching too much anime. Grow up and troll elsewhere.

[thetanukikaji]

DemonWeasel do you have any evidence to back up a statement like that? No? I didn't think so.

[MYFreeSpeach4U]

Is this S/S or a high corbon

[kibuddha4]

Mr. Sorrell's swords are high carbon...and sometimes his very own made tamahagane.

[MisterBaz1]

His W2 swords are PHENOMINAL after a professional polish.

[thetanukikaji]

Yes and the polish he does himself also.

[1metalnation]

u cant make tamahagane unless you use the iron sand on Okinawa, I dont know what he uses but I doubt its true tamahagane, more than likely he is just smelting iron into good quality steel

[kiddimeister]

tamahagane can be made out of any type of Black sand... the Sand in Okinawa isn't the only place where you can get it

[thetanukikaji]

Tamhagane is just bloom steel which can be made with any decent iron ore. Any ore with a decent ratio of iron oxide to impurities that is. Heck the black sand used to make nihonto is just magnetite which is really not that good. Some black sand is even worse some can't even be smelted.

[thetanukikaji]

You can't be serious about this statement.

[ScientologySucksAss]

you have too fold the blade for it too be real katana

[kibuddha4]

Read some more boss.

[thechoreographer]

Why is the steel not oxidizing?

[shadow12952]

whats oxidizing?

[thechoreographer]

When steel or iron gets really hot, the time it takes to rust decreases. Oxidizing is just rusting. Rust is FeO2 Iron oxide

[lordofgonzo]

Where did you get your hammer from? I've been trying to get a Japanese hammer for a while now, and have only found a few places that sell one.

[WalterSorrells]

I got mine from an Australian smith named Jas Browne. He was sort of experimenting with them and gave it to me to try out.

[olivierwhite92]

wow you are really good nice job

but can you tel me how do you keep youre bar not from bending do you hammer it back?

because i am making a katana and i havent hammered like 3 inch and it has already a bigger bend than a real katana.

i am realy impressed by your skills

[JVic1992]

you gotta hammer the stock vertically so to push it back straight

[JVic1992]

i hate when replies arent put under the comment being replied to

[olivierwhite92]

thanos after 3 months somebody finaly response

anyway i already know that now:P but still thanks:D

[animeisart1]

the japanese sword is composed of several layers of steel. i didn't see any layering or such.

[JVic1992]

nihonto are required to be forged in strict traditional methods. contemporary japanese style blades have no restrictions on construction methods in north america, which is why this sword can be forged out of modern steel and still be recognized as a katana.

[camandoe]

how do u get the swords shape and are there places for a beginner to learn

[HotPocketEXE]

It's a process of heating the metal up to make it more maleable and then pounding it into shape. As for learning, you could try looking for a local blacksmith's shop and asking about an apprenticeship ;)

[camandoe]

will the aprentership cost alot

[HotPocketEXE]

That all depends on the blacksmith you're learning from. There could be a fee like taking a class, but I've heard of people getting apprenticeships and being paid (a very low amount) like a shop assistant, doing chores and running errands while learning the trade on the side.

[PathfinderMJ]

best place to go to is a blacksmithing school

[csthundercat]

A pleasure and honour to see a guy like walter at work. He makes spectacular swords - I wish he still did mounting. i liked the saka choji kat with eggshell laquered saya..beautiful work.