This class is a 5-day "hands-on" course taught by Muh Tsyr Yee who has taught the course since 1996.

ABOUT THE CLASS

This workshop will introduce participants to the production of laminated clay-tempered blades of san mai construction.

Topics include:

• Metal selection: sources of steel suitable for blade construction; determination of carbon content will be discussed
• Folding and lamination: appropriate combustion atmosphere and temperature for forge welding; use of clay-art flux. Lamination will be demonstrated by the instructor.
• Shaping: hot forming and cold working processes in preparation for hardening
• Heat treatment: clay tempering process; curvature adjustment of hardened blade in preparation for polishing

Registration is limited to 8 participants.

Requirements: Participants will require cotton clothing and leather-topped shoes. No previous experience is required.

Course runs 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Muh Tsyr Yee has taught the Japanese Swordsmithing course since 1996. He is an experienced swordmaker who began his apprenticeship in 1986 with swordsmith Michael Bell, a student of Nakajima Muneyoshi.

Cost: $1532 Canadian (includes $45 Canadian materials fee and $100 GST) (plus excess materials cost).

Associated knife courses:

Thak runs several knife-forging courses throughout the year, any student who takes one of these courses will have experience with the blade forging process that will enable you to accomplish a great deal more in the Japanese Blade Forging Course.

To register, contact Thak the Blacksmith & Armorer at (519)669-0721.

LOCATION:

Classes will be held at THAK THE BLACKSMITH & ARMORER

2282 Floradale Rd., Floradale, Ontario  Canada N3B 1V0
Tel (519) 669-0721 * Fax (519) 669-0943
E-mail:  info@thak.ca    Web page:  www.thak.ca

The Olde Heidelberg Inn, in Heidelberg, is twenty minutes by car from the forge. The Inn includes a restaurant and brew pub which was the first in the region and boasts a cold Bavarian-style lager brewed on the premises. Built in 1838 the restaurant is renowned for its generous servings of traditional German food. Enjoy the Honky Tonk piano music or the games room. Rooms have two double beds and costs are from $20 (4 to a room) to $61.60 (one per room) per night. Register with Bob or Howie McMillan at 519-699-4413

The town of St. Jacobs is 15 minutes away and has many bed and breakfast homes, including:

• The Village B & B (Joyce & Neil Hill), 61 Queen Street, Dr. Jacobs (519) 664-2890, TollFree 1-866-865-5243
• Grandma's Attic B & B, 16 Young Street, St. Jacobs (519) 664-3990
• Jakobstettel Guest House, 16 Isabella Street, St. Jacobs (519) 664-2208

University residence accomodations are available at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo for $35 per night including parking and taxes. 519-884-0710. WLU is about 15 minutes away by car from the forge.

Destination Inn, 547 King Street, Waterloo (519) 884-0100

Guelph is about 40 minutes by car away from Floradale, and accomodation is available through the University of Guelph and is about $37 cdn per day for a single residence room. The official contact is the Lampton Hall desk at 519-824-4120 ext 58121. or by email at hostel@uoguelph.ca (Please note that arrangements and payment are made directly to the hostel, not through the sword school.)

You can also check the THAK website for more accomodation information and a map to the shop.

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