Advice on Top American Sword Makers

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
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Hi All,

Not certain this is the right forum, but anyway...my brother is thinking of commisioning a full size katana. I'd like to provide him some advice, and I was wondering who you guys would classify as the top three or four American Janapnese swordmakers. I'm aware of Walter Sorrell, who does absolutely outstanding work. But who else?Who would you seek if you wanted a top notch collector's sword?

Dave
 
Of the living makers:

Howard Clark
Howard Clark
Michael Bell
Rick Barrett, Anthony DiCristofano, Wally Hostetter/Steve Schwarzer, Scott Slobodian

I emphasize Howard Clark because his work is beautiful and geared towards martial artists, many who have beat the living crap out of his pieces, and they performed admirably. Michael Bell is one of the only smiths in the country to study from the beginning with a Japanese sword maker(actually a polisher by pedigree).

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson


David Stifle said:
Hi All,

Not certain this is the right forum, but anyway...my brother is thinking of commisioning a full size katana. I'd like to provide him some advice, and I was wondering who you guys would classify as the top three or four American Janapnese swordmakers. I'm aware of Walter Sorrell, who does absolutely outstanding work. But who else?Who would you seek if you wanted a top notch collector's sword?

Dave
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Steven,

I notice you are not including Walter Sorrells. Any particular reason? Again, thanks, I'll see if these guys have websites.

Dave
 
David Stifle said:
Thanks Steven,

I notice you are not including Walter Sorrells. Any particular reason? Again, thanks, I'll see if these guys have websites.

Dave
Click to expand...

Don't know him, never heard of him, never seen his work.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Howard Clark is pretty much the reference for performance katanas.

Scott Slobodian is a decent-ish option for display & use pieces (they're not really authentic looking, and they are made of a steel that has limited potential, but they're a decent compromise).

The reference for museum-quality display pieces worth tens of thousands of dollars is Jim Kelso.

I have spent upward of $10,000 on Jpz style pieces and I wouldn't recommend them unless you are both a knowledgeable knife collector and a dedicated martial artist. The rewards are long in coming, the pitfalls are numerous and expensive, and in the best of cases you end up with a piece which very often couldn't compare to a similarly priced Western piece.
 
I'm no sword expert, so place reliance on those who are. But I've seen and handled a few of Bailey Bradshaw's swords over the years and always came away impressed.

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orig.jpg


Roger
 
RogerP said:
I'm no sword expert, so place reliance on those who are. But I've seen and handled a few of Bailey Bradshaw's swords over the years and always came away impressed.

Roger
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I love Bailey's work and own a great piece.....BUT....I avoided mentioning him because when we spoke in the winter, Bailey was COMPLETELY focused on building firearms, and indicated he was done for the time being with edged weapons.

This is a similar reason I did not include Paul Champagne and Bob Egnath...both deceased, and therefore not taking on commissions.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
jklein7401 said:
Francis Boyd is another one to look at. I know very little about japanese blades but he has a fine reputation and his pieces look quite nice. www.francisboyd.com

Jon
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Francis makes very expensive swords and is a raving lunatic....at least that was his state when I last saw him, about two years ago at Knife Expo in Pasadena:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535067&highlight=francis+boyd

He studied under the same teacher as Michael Bell....of the two, I would avoid Francis, and go for Michael's work.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven your story behind the stories are often enlightening and amusing. :thumbup:

I had heard from several sources over passed months that Bailey wasn't making many (if any) knives these days. Good it's now confirmed.
 
Got to agree with Steven on this one.

Now here's the bonus round who would you pick as the mounter/polisher/saya maker?

Keith Larman? Ted Tenold?
 
Triton said:
Got to agree with Steven on this one.

Now here's the bonus round who would you pick as the mounter/polisher/saya maker?

Keith Larman? Ted Tenold?
Click to expand...

Well....last I checked they was both busier than a one legged man at an ass kicking contest.

Am friendly with both, but closer with Ted....so there is your answer...sort of...I prefer to have my blades polished by who is able, and who is available....the last blade polished was by John DeMesa, not sure if he does it anymore....Howard Clark 1086m wakizashi blade.

The last tsuka maki....Robin Ramirez Sensei....http://seikenbudogu.com/tsukamaki.html... reasonable price, reasonable turnaround time....very knowledgeable.....also use Fred Lohman when the core is already GTG.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have swords from many mentioned Bell. Slobodian,Barret , Champagne had a piece from Clark that now resides with STeven.

My advice is find out what he wants user or display piece and what price range he is in contact the above mentioned makers see what there priceing and wait time is like and then make a decision you will be pleased with. Commisioning a Japanese sword IMHO is one of the geatest commissions a blade eficionada can make. Very costly and time consuming. Make your decisions wisely
 
JParanee said:
My advice is find out what he wants user or display piece and what price range he is in contact the above mentioned makers see what there pricing and wait time is like and then make a decision you will be pleased with. Commissioning a Japanese sword IMHO is one of the greatest commissions a blade aficionado can make. Very costly and time consuming. Make your decisions wisely
Click to expand...


Truer words have never been spoken!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
In my limited experience I have been impressed with Wally Hayes.

oops, he's canadian. Canada might as well be the 52nd state...so..
 
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Kohai999 said:
Well....last I checked they was both busier than a one legged man at an ass kicking contest.
Click to expand...

It's what happens when you are very good, and have only limited throughput I guess.

It's odd to me that it's harder to find guys to polish, fit and create a saya for a sword then it is to have the blade made, but such seems to be the case, at least if you want top flight work. I was half hoping you would throw another name out there that I hadn't heard before. Unfortunately it seems that things typically go the other way with more people getting out of that business by hook or in some cases by crook then getting in it.
 
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