[Sticky] Best Of 2017, What's Yours?

Matthew Parkinson · 2017-12-25T04:29:17Z

I started a post last year around this time asking what everyone thought their best work of the year was. It went so well and I found it so inspiring, I figured I would do so again this year. so here it goes.. I had a great year and I made many piece that I could include but these are what I feel are important. In order of completion a sword in the style of a 14thc type XV boarding on a xvii this sword was made in a class with peter johnson and is a benchmark piece. This sword expanding my understanding of this swords in so many ways. this katana was a commision , it is based on my winning sword from FIF, this one again is a bit of a benchmark for me. The inlay and engraving in the tsuba is some of the best work I done, the over all form is not one I revel in but I enjoyed again mixing the my western sensibilities with the austerity and clean lines that are the hallmark of Japanese swords. A second sword in the style of type XV. this one was also significantly done in the class with peter johnson, including finalizing the design. the blade on this one is 500 layer randon and the fittings are wrought iron, with carnelians set in silver. this sword was an attempt to internalize what i learned from peter and incorporate it into what i have been doing. It also served to demonstrate that I did not grasp much of this as deeply and I wished but it still ends up as one on the nicest handling swords and most one of the most graceful that I have ever made. Next up is a set commissioned by a client, this was one of the nicest job I have ever taken on. They told me what the had in mind based on a earlier purchase and let me run with it. The best sort of job and the single best way to get my best work.. a sword in the style of a 15thc bastard sword, type XVIII this sword was made in a second class with Peter Johnson,this sword is representative of truly internalizing what peter has taught me. it looks and feels like a true medieval sword. It is a bench mark on many levels, and a sword I am immensely satisfied with. these two chefs, both were made back to back for the NYCKS, both are Mosaic damascus something I am only recently working more with, these two are representative of some of the direction I want to take my work. the angle bolster is something I picked up off of Mareko Maumasi (as well as some of the mosaic tricks) Mareko joined the shop last Aug, and has brought a renewed energy and curiosity to the shop, I think he is going to be a great fit and this new dynamic is going to be incredible for all of us. so i include these tow for that reason as much as because they are two of the nicest knives I have made.

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Caleb Steck

Posts: 3

Member

This is my best knife so far this year. 1095 hi-carb steel blade with a polished and etched edge quench. The handle is stabilised, curly, spalted maple with brass pins. I am still learning all the time!

Posted : 17/05/2018 1:50 pm

Mark Fleming

Posts: 4

New Member Journeyman Bladesmith

Posted : 14/07/2018 5:39 pm

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[Sticky] Best Of 2017, What's Yours?

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