It is said that the origins of blacksmithing in this region date back to the late 16th century, when, during the Battle of Kawanakajima, the villagers learned blacksmithing techniques from craftsmen who traveled back and forth through the area repairing weapons and swords.
In the first half of the 19th century, a craftsman specializing in sickle making devised the "shiba-tsuke" and "tsuri" structures. Around the same time, another craftsman improved the double-edged sickle into a single-edged, thin-bladed weapon. These two sickles are the prototypes of the modern Shinshu sickle.

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. The shaping process involves heating the blade steel in a furnace and then hammering and widening it.

  2. The sickle shall have a single edge.

  3. For sickles, a "groove," "grass attachment," and "hanging" shall be attached, and for single-edged machetes, a "groove" shall be attached.

  4. For quenching, apply a "mud coating" and then rapidly cool.

  5. "Sharpening," "sharpening," and "finishing" must be done by hand.

   

  raw materials

  1. The materials to be used shall be iron and carbon steel.

  2. The handle shall be made of wood.

• Work scene

  Work scene

  There are various types of bladed tools known as SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades), such as sickles, kitchen knives, and machetes, but this time we will take a look at the manufacturing process of sickles.

  Step 1: Cutting

  After the steel and base metal are prepared, the steel is joined to the base metal. The steel is thinner than the base metal. Although it varies depending on the type of blade, for example, 2 mm of steel is forge-welded to 9 mm of base metal.

  

  Step 2: Bend

  Bend the part that inserts into the handle.

  

  Step 3: Waist opening

  Spread out the bent part.

  Step 4: Spread out

  We carefully spread it out to the desired shape.

  

  Process 5: Push-cut

  The blade edge is trimmed and the dimensions are adjusted.

  Step 6: Creating the comic

  Prepare the part that will be inserted into the handle.

  Step 7: Roughing

  After heating to 700 degrees Celsius in a furnace, the thickness of the "hira" (flat surface) is made uniform by hammering it with a hand hammer and a regular hammer. Achieving uniform thickness requires skill.

  

  Step 8: Rough polishing

  Remove any iron oxide or residue adhering to the surface and clean it.

  Step 9: Stamping

  The trademark and quality markings are stamped in the designated locations on the surface.

  Step 10: Small leveling

  After heating to 500 degrees Celsius in a furnace, the surface is smoothed and its toughness is increased by hammering it with a hand hammer. At this time, the unique "hanging" and "grain-like" textures of the sickle are applied.

  

  Process 11: Medium sharpening

  Polish the steel part with a medium-grit whetstone.

  Step 12: Hardening

  The steel is coated with mud, heated uniformly to around 780 degrees Celsius, and then rapidly cooled in a water bath. This process alters the steel's structure, making it harder, and is said to "bring life to the blade." The mud is applied to improve its hardenability.

  Step 13: Reheating

  This process gives the steel the appropriate toughness. This toughness prevents chipping and maintains sharpness.

  Step 14: Twisting

  Because the expansion rates of steel and base metal are different, warping and bending can occur after quenching. This process corrects that warping and bending.

  Step 15: Blade sharpening, polishing, and buffing

  Polish it with a buffing cloth to give it an even shine.

  

  Step 16: Rust prevention

  Apply camellia oil or varnish to prevent rust.

  Step 17: Handle preparation

  Attach a handle that matches the shape.

   

• Close-up

  Close-up

  SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades) gets stronger with use.

  SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades) boasts a 450-year history. Known for its strength, long-lasting sharpness, and ease of use, the sickles from this region are particularly famous. Furthermore, the hand-forging process allows for the creation of a wide variety of blades. This time, we spoke with a craftsman who forges all kinds of blades.

   

  A series of trial and error

  Mitsuyoshi Hatayama, a traditional craftsman who carries on the techniques of SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades), was born and raised in Shinano-machi. His parents' family business was also forged blades. His older brother took over the family business, and Hatayama worked in a different field for a while. At the age of 21, he returned to Shinano-machi and began helping out at home. However, he recalls, "They just told me to 'do it' out of nowhere, and they didn't teach me anything." "So it was a continuous process of trial and error. I researched why the machines wore out so quickly, what kind of steel (hard metal used for the blade edge) I should use, and how to prevent the steel from separating from the base." Hatayama became independent at the age of 26. Since then, he has dedicated his life to SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades).

  

  A glimpse of the workspace. The bare light bulb illuminating the work area is striking.

  Impurities are removed by hammering.

  The biggest difference between knives made in mechanized factories and SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades) is that the blade is "hammered" during the manufacturing process. Recently, mechanical hammers are sometimes used, but basically, the blades are still hammered. Why hammer them? "By hammering, impurities are removed and the structure becomes finer. As a result, the blades cut better and retain their sharpness for a long time," says Hatayama. On the other hand, knives that are generally available on the market are "die-cut" knives. The blade is made by grinding without hammering. "If you compare them, the sharpness is completely different," Hatayama says with confidence.

  

  It's amazing how the rod on the far right gradually transforms into a blade.

  The type of steel used varies depending on the type of blade.

  To make SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades), two types of metal are hammered together. Simply put, these are the base metal and the metal that forms the cutting edge. The base metal is called the jigane (base metal), and the metal that forms the cutting edge is called the hagane (steel). The steel is the part that greatly affects the sharpness of the blade, and there are different types of steel, each with different properties. "Steel with low carbon content is tough and resistant to chipping, so it's used for thick sickles and planes. Steel with high carbon content is good for thin sickles and kitchen knives because it keeps the edge sharp for a long time." The type of steel used is selected according to the intended use of the blade.

  

  A sign of heavy labor. The part where the thumb rests is worn down.

  I always try it myself.

  Mr. Hatayama says he can make "any kind of blade," and he creates a variety of blades to order, from sickles, machetes, vegetable knives, and deba knives to bonsai tools. "Whenever I make something, I always try it out myself to check how sharp the blade is. So when I make a sickle, I use it to mow the grass in my backyard." It is said that you can cut a tree about 3 centimeters in diameter with Mr. Hatayama's sickle without using a saw. This is only possible because his sickles are strong and cut very well.

  Please choose a blade that suits your intended use.

  Mr. Hatayama can produce between 20 and 50 sickles a day. Normally, a gourd mark is engraved on the blades he makes. However, custom-made pieces are engraved with "Made by Mitsuyoshi." Both are symbols of his pride and responsibility as a craftsman. "I want people to choose the blade that suits their needs. For example, changing sickles depending on the type of grass. You'll understand when you try it, but the work efficiency is different. I just want people to use them." These are words he can say because he has confidence in his work. Perhaps SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades) whose quality becomes more apparent the more you use them.

  

  Custom-made pieces are engraved with "Made by Mitsuyoshi" as a sign of responsibility and pride.

  Craftsman Profile

  ​Jūkichi Hatakeyama

  Born in 1946 (Showa 21).
  "I always strive to create something better today than yesterday," says the traditional craftsman.
  "I'm particularly particular about the heat treatment temperature."

  

  Anecdotes

  Wavy edges on a blade

  If you were asked to draw a kitchen knife, what kind of picture would you draw? Most people would probably draw the outline and then add wavy lines near the tip of the blade. These wavy lines actually mark the boundary between the base metal and the steel. While some knives have almost straight lines, you can usually tell because the color changes.
  The reason for using two types of iron is that by skillfully combining the toughness of the base iron with the hardness of the steel, a blade that cuts well and lasts a long time is created. It could be said to be the culmination of human ingenuity. All blades that use two types of iron, like SHINSHU Uchihamono (Forged Blades) have this wavy pattern.
  On the other hand, what about knives without serrations? Those are not handmade. Now, everyone, take a look at the knives you use and check if they have serrations.

  • 

    Hand-forged blades have a distinctive "wavy" pattern.