Jimmy R Posted December 15, 2011 Report Posted December 15, 2011 I just wanted to post how my first few shirasaya are coming along. I went to Holland a few weeks ago and worked with Ron VanStee for two days as he showed me the basics. He would do half and then make me do the other half. I do not think this is normal to jump right in but I have been carving my whole life and have sawdust in my blood. I left early with a big block of wood that was starting to take shape as I was very sick and had to get home to bed. I had all the tools except for one special chisel and a Sori-Kanna. As I waited I for the plane made a Shirasaya for my Massive Yari and did some inlays etc. etc. Well the tools just got here a week ago and I just finished with the ibota yesterday. The shirasaya is 12 sided, tapered and holds a nice katana with a 30.5 Inch nagasa. I am also finishing up two more wakizashi and so far so good. I have some Honoki and some Tulipwood coming and I am making shirasaya for 3 or four of my other swords. My thanks to Ron. He is one hell of a guy and extremely talented. Merry Christmas to all, Jim Quote
runagmc Posted December 15, 2011 Report Posted December 15, 2011 Hey Jim, looks like your doing a good job. I'm also a woodworker... I use to make a living at it, but now it's just a hobby. Do you use traditional Japanese planes or modern ones. I use modern ones just because thats what I'm use to. Also, I was wondering if you made the tachi kake as well. Quote
Jimmy R Posted December 15, 2011 Author Report Posted December 15, 2011 I used Japanese Kanna. I had to buy the Sori Kanna but I had 2 regular Kanna. I made both of the stands in the picture. I make all kinds of Kake. They are black walnut. Jim Quote
runagmc Posted December 15, 2011 Report Posted December 15, 2011 I've never had the opportunity to use kanna. I was wondering how they compare to modern planes as far as making adjustments to cut depth and things like that. Why do you prefer them? Is it just because they're traditional? I looked into making some a while back, but it looked like more trouble than I thought it was worth. It looked like a fairly complicated process, to get it right. I would probably need one in hand to copy the construction. Quote
shingen Posted December 15, 2011 Report Posted December 15, 2011 Hello Jimmy, what a small world we live in. I was on the phone with Ron last week as he made shirasaya for my katana and he told me about you. Very nice work! Quote
drbvac Posted December 16, 2011 Report Posted December 16, 2011 Your work looks very nice indeed - may be called on for many more !! Quote
Jimmy R Posted December 16, 2011 Author Report Posted December 16, 2011 Thanks for the feedback everyone. I just wanted to reply in general to some messages I have received because it is a subject I have some passion for. When you receive a Kanna from Japan it takes some work to prepare it for use. They come with multiple surface edges and are hollow ground. To prepare a standard 42 mm plane knife of this style will take an experienced person 4 hours or so if done to exacting standards. This is why there are waterstones in the $100,000 range. When you take good care of your tools a deep relationship develops. This is translated into the experience of the work and makes it very personally gratifying. My father tried to show me this at a young age but (sorry dad) I did not get it until much later. It is not in books or videos it is just something you learn by attunement to your instruments in moments of extreme presence. This sort of idea is central to the Japanese aesthetic and is why well made Japanese tools do not traditionally come ready to use. Happy Holidays! Jim Quote
runagmc Posted December 16, 2011 Report Posted December 16, 2011 $100,000 waterstone Is this a misprint? I've seen them for many thousands of dollars but never anything close to $100,000. That would have to be one SPECIAL and BIG stone! It would need to posses magical powers for that price... Quote
GregD Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Jim.....it all just starts out with a kanna,saya nomi etc,oh,by the way,you'll need more stuff to sharpen it with. Greg http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i47 ... 0122-1.jpg http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i47 ... na/607.jpg Quote
Jimmy R Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Posted December 17, 2011 That was a typo. I meant Yen not dollars. When I lived in south Japan I saw stones for 350,000 yen. I am always thinking in 3 different currencies. I wonder what the most expensive one out there would cost?? Anyone know? Jim Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Found a used whetstone at an antiques fair in Japan and quickly snapped it up, thinking it might be a real treasure, but when I tried to give it to a local artisan as a special present he pointed out that it had all the wrong angles on it and would only be good for garden tools... Quote
runagmc Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I've seen large old stock narutaki and uchigamori for up to 4-5 thousand dollars US. I wouldn't be surprised if they go higher than that in some cases. These old high quality stones are pretty scarce... specially if you don't know somebody. Quote
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