Modern tsuba

[kissakai]

Having just bought the Hallam tsuba from the NMB I wondered about his other students

I now have tsuba from:
Ford Hallam
Marcus Chambers
Kevin Adams
Marcus and Kevin where taught my Ford

 

Other modern tsuba in my collection are from:
Jibril Donaghey. Mei Lee
Graham Hanley (a commission)
Manuel Coden (a commission)

 

Does anyone know of the contact details of Fords students who make and sell tsuba?

 

I seemed to have lost contact with Kevin Adams and I'd like to get back in touch with him, so if anyone can help with this it would be appreciated

Grev

Edited May 21 by kissakai
Name spelling error

[C0D]

Among Ford's students there's also Christoph Kopp from Germany, he just won 3rd Silver in this year's NBSK competition.

 

Seems Kevin is no more active on social media either.

 

 

[Soshin]

I currently only have one tsuba made Manuel Coden @C0D a student of the late Ford Hallam. When I had my Japanese art business, I sold one tsuba made by Kevin Adams another student of Ford Hallam.     

[C0D]

Just now, Soshin said:

I currently only have one tsuba made Manuel Coden @C0D a student of the late Ford Hallam. When I had my Japanese art business, I sold one tsuba made by Kevin Adams another student of Ford Hallam.     

Just for clarity i was never a student of Ford, except watching his tutorial videos on Youtube i had no relationship with him, i'm pretty much self-taught

[Toryu2020]

 

[Soshin]

4 minutes ago, C0D said:

Just for clarity i was never a student of Ford, except watching his tutorial videos on Youtube i had no relationship with him, i'm pretty much self-taught

 

I stand corrected. Thank you for the clarification. Regress I am still incredibly happy with the tsuba you made me. I still use it on my training sword, and it does a wonderful job.  

[Exclus1ve]

I've seen examples of Ford Hallam's work more than once, and it's amazing. Can anyone show examples of works of the same level from modern masters?

[C0D]

https://note.com/katana_case_shi/n/nf87e5c28feb4?magazine_key=m92e5a83d03ce

Here's the winning works of last year's NBTHK contest 

[Toryu2020]

Viktor -

Check this thread below for some great examples...

 

 

[kaze ryu]

Hello! I'm interested in learning how to make my own tosogu. Does anyone in Europe know someone who could teach and guide me?

[C0D]

52 minutes ago, kaze ryu said:

Hello! I'm interested in learning how to make my own tosogu. Does anyone in Europe know someone who could teach and guide me?

you can start by studying Ford Hallam's Youtube videos https://www.youtube.com/@FordHallam

[kaze ryu]

Thanks cod! Think i need a minimal of quality tools to start. Can you suggest me some place where i can buy please? 

[Exclus1ve]

On 6/5/2025 at 9:27 PM, C0D said:

 

https://note.com/katana_case_shi/n/nf87e5c28feb4?magazine_key=m92e5a83d03ce

Here's the winning works of last year's NBTHK contest 

Video of one of the works:

 

[C0D]

1 hour ago, kaze ryu said:

Thanks cod! Think i need a minimal of quality tools to start. Can you suggest me some place where i can buy please? 

Most of tsubashi do them themselves, there are videos about making the tools as well on the channel 

[Toryu2020]

Kaze Ryu -

 

 

[OceanoNox]

21 hours ago, kaze ryu said:

Can you suggest me some place where i can buy please? 

https://www.comokin.co.jp/shopbrand/004/X/

https://www.tools-shop.net/view/category/g-engaver14

These are the usually recommended sites for tools. I have no idea if they ship abroad.

 

Like Manuel said, most make their own. I have made some tagane with old broken files, after annealing them (it is very time consuming, but rewarding) and a few kisage as well. You can buy tool steel (if you're in France, I don't know the equivalent, but here is the wiki: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acier_à_outils).