I made me some mokume gane
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I made me some mokume gane
Had to share. I'm excited at the very least.
Weekend before last I was out at Tharwa Valley Forge where I made mokume gane for the first and second time. The intention with these batches was to make rings and other small jewelry pieces, but the material could easily be used to make knife scales or other decorative bits for the sharpy-sharps. There might be an application for a bow somewhere. Maybe a thumb ring, or very delicate tip overlays (to save weight). Can anyone think of a use?
We made two billets. One of nickel-silver and copper, and one with nickel-silver, brass and copper.
Oh, for those that don't know, mokume gane is Japanese and roughly translates to 'wood eye metal' and is a bit like damascus steel made with non-ferrous metals. It was originally made and used in Japanese sword fittings.
The raw materials:
Cut, cleaned, stacked and ready to go:
Test the fit:
Roasty-toasty:
Done:
The pattern is a little indistinct in these pictures, but I've found that this can be quite difficult to photograph...especially with a phone camera in poor lighting! I'd suggest that for some better images of highly polished mokume gane, try your local favorite search engine. I'll post better pics when I get a chance.
The very first billet ended up being quite a bit smaller than intended owing to half the copper melting out of one side in the forge. It was a case of "Hmm, not ready quite yet. I'll look over here for a minu-TOO LATE!!", so we lost a lot of material. Making mokume gane is a lot more temperature-critical process than damascus steel.
The second one was much better. Enough for 10 rings plus a few pendants etc. OR, heaps of bolsters, butt plates or other knife furniture. I think that the next billet I make will be intended for such purposes, which will be for sale. If you can think of a utility for some, I'd welcome the suggestions.
Dave
Weekend before last I was out at Tharwa Valley Forge where I made mokume gane for the first and second time. The intention with these batches was to make rings and other small jewelry pieces, but the material could easily be used to make knife scales or other decorative bits for the sharpy-sharps. There might be an application for a bow somewhere. Maybe a thumb ring, or very delicate tip overlays (to save weight). Can anyone think of a use?
We made two billets. One of nickel-silver and copper, and one with nickel-silver, brass and copper.
Oh, for those that don't know, mokume gane is Japanese and roughly translates to 'wood eye metal' and is a bit like damascus steel made with non-ferrous metals. It was originally made and used in Japanese sword fittings.
The raw materials:
Cut, cleaned, stacked and ready to go:
Test the fit:
Roasty-toasty:
Done:
The pattern is a little indistinct in these pictures, but I've found that this can be quite difficult to photograph...especially with a phone camera in poor lighting! I'd suggest that for some better images of highly polished mokume gane, try your local favorite search engine. I'll post better pics when I get a chance.
The very first billet ended up being quite a bit smaller than intended owing to half the copper melting out of one side in the forge. It was a case of "Hmm, not ready quite yet. I'll look over here for a minu-TOO LATE!!", so we lost a lot of material. Making mokume gane is a lot more temperature-critical process than damascus steel.
The second one was much better. Enough for 10 rings plus a few pendants etc. OR, heaps of bolsters, butt plates or other knife furniture. I think that the next billet I make will be intended for such purposes, which will be for sale. If you can think of a utility for some, I'd welcome the suggestions.
Dave
https://www.instagram.com/armworks_australia/
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Great stuff, I collect Japanese swords and have recently sold a mokume menuki in tiger and bamboo motif. I applaud you for making this!
Predator: Custom, 60", 42# and 57# @28
Toelke: Whip Custom 62", 57# @28
Jack B Harrison : El Lobo 62", 58# @28
Toelke: Whip Custom 62", 57# @28
Jack B Harrison : El Lobo 62", 58# @28
Re: I made me some mokume gane
I've recently been reading about the use of side nocks on medieval long bows, both in The UK and in Nordic countries, at archilogical dig in a peat bog near the village of Nydam a long bow was found with a iron tip on the upper limb. Maybe that could be a use for mokume gane, as a decorative tip to a ELB style bow.
Fraser
Fraser
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Cool - never heard of mokume gane, I wonder if it could be reheated and twisted ?? Would make for some striking effects
regards Jacko
regards Jacko
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "
- Charles Darwin
- Charles Darwin
Re: I made me some mokume gane
The second billet we did was twisted. It also happened to be the tri-color one, so the effect is indeed striking, though you perhaps can't tell from the photos.
Even better than the outside of a twist is when you cut a twist in half. The revealed surface has a very nice star pattern to it.
Even better than the outside of a twist is when you cut a twist in half. The revealed surface has a very nice star pattern to it.
https://www.instagram.com/armworks_australia/
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Highly interesting work there yeoman. Like Perry I have never heard of it before, 'though being familiar with Damascus steel.It would lend itself to a number of medieval pursuits, one would think and be very ornate in the process.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com
razorbows.com
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Hey Yeoman
I was thinking bow "jewellry" - eg Makers Medallion on Riser, Overlay(?) at front of riser. Tip overlays ( not sure how practical that would be ).
It would move a quality bow into the collecters realm.
Rgds
Rob
I was thinking bow "jewellry" - eg Makers Medallion on Riser, Overlay(?) at front of riser. Tip overlays ( not sure how practical that would be ).
It would move a quality bow into the collecters realm.
Rgds
Rob
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Maybe some quiver art?, and a thumb ring would look good!
Wherever you go......there you are!
Re: I made me some mokume gane
Hmm. Yes, badges and logos and whatnot. That could look pretty good.
I took a few more shots with a better camera so you can see the contrast and pattern better.
It's all the one bar. Twisted then cut in half lengthwise.
I took a few more shots with a better camera so you can see the contrast and pattern better.
It's all the one bar. Twisted then cut in half lengthwise.
https://www.instagram.com/armworks_australia/
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials
Bow making courses, knife making courses, armour making courses and more:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/
Articles to start making bows:
http://www.tharwavalleyforge.com/index. ... /tutorials