Uploaded June 2016 | Updated September 2026, 25 minutes ago

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Hand filing a classical tanto style blade forged from half of a reclaimed horse carriage leaf spring. (4x)
Serious students of the forge can watch the full process version here: youtu.be/m659YKUiu80

Arashiage is the rough shaping stage that comes after hizukuri (fire shaping) and before yaki-ire (hardening). The order of operations that I generally use is:

in the leg vise...

1. Spine of the Blade 0:08
remove the scale using a rasp
shape using sen (scraper)
shape using coarse files
drawfile to smooth

2. Spine of the Tang 1:36
remove the scale using a rasp
set the mune machi notch using a file
profile using coarse files
shape using coarse files
drawfile to straighten
rockfile to round and smooth

3. Edge of the Blade 1:49
remove the scale using a rasp
profile using coarse files

4. Edge of the Tang 1:59
remove the scale using a rasp
set the ha machi notch using a file
profile using coarse files
drawfile to straighten

in the sen-dai...

5. Blade Bevels 2:10
remove the scale using a rasp or sen
shape using sen
level using coarse files
drawfile to smooth

6. Tang Bevels 3:00
remove the scale using a rasp or sen
shape using sen
shape using coarse files
level using coarse files
smooth using fine file

7. Refining Blade Bevels (before yakiire) 3:09
extra coarse stone/extra coarse diamond stone

Learn more about the historical knifemaking process: islandblacksmith.ca/process

Design your own custom knife or tanto to order: islandblacksmith.ca