Making a $9,000 Pair of Damascus Tantos

I hope you guys enjoyed :D First video of me being a full-time creator (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)

Check out my links below:
My Instagram: @jhublades
Joey's Instagram: @photosby_hu

Get a massive $650 discount on my knife-making grinder here:

Shop Equipment I use and recommend:
Camera Equipment I use and recommend:

Music: Epidemic Sound

My Shop Equipment:
Forging Press: 25 Ton Press from Coal Iron Works
Forge: 2-Burner Habanero from Chile Forge
Grinder: KMG-TX from Beaumont Metalworks
Anvil: 365lb Sichelschmidt und Schlasse
Heat Treating Oven: Paragon KM36T

CHAPTERS:
---------------------------------------------------------
0:00 - Forging the Damascus
6:23 - Forging the Blades
9:24 - Normalizing and Rough Grinding
11:29 - The Quench
12:40 - Final Grinding
15:40 - Hand Sanding the Blades
17:47 - Making the Habaki
24:20 - Making the Spacers
26:44 - Field Trip (Wood Search)
28:07 - Carving the Handles
32:09 - Carving the Sayas
39:11 - Shaping the Handles and Sayas
40:45 - Etching my Maker's Mark
41:34 - Etching the Damascus
43:39 - Polishing and Oiling the Fittings
45:30 - Wrapping the Handles
47:42 - Final Reveal
48:32 - Sharpening and Final Testing

#katana #tanto #damascus

[jhublades]

Thanks for watching! I hope y'all are excited for my Shusui build :D

[petesounds]

As a 20 year blade enthusiast, buyer, collector etc...your videos and the way you explain your process is outstanding. You are leading he way for the next generation Mastersmiths. Thanks!

[rietzhu]

Dont be scared showing your technique kiddo, more experienced users out there could give you pointers! Its one solid way we learn! No shame! Very nice Tanto!

[eshumaruji]

32:08 "...the other way a-" *fades into the abyss*
32:52 *blows away dust* "Wa-" *dragged into the shadows*
35:50 "Aw that is beautiful. Tha-" *phases into the backrooms*

[ListlessTV]

I think my favorite thing about you as a person / creator is you always give references / properly cite your sources. I watch quite a few smiths who just say X, Y, and Z without any context.

[baldernilsen]

Jesse Hu / Blacktail Studio colab? I think that would end up being the ultimate piece of craftsmanship on youtube!

[drewshorter]

I've seen guys with 10 years of plumbing experience who could not solder that joint well. You did great!
Very cool seeing you grow as a smith, from the show to current!
keep it up!

[steviweevi]

Just stumbled across this episode this evening and im so glad I watched it!!!! Watching you make these Tantos was amazing👏👏🥰 you are so frickin talented and skilled🤘❤️ im from New Zealand and there is a special type of wood called Swamp Kauri. It comes from native Kauri trees that have been buried underground for hundreds (even thousands) of years which preserves the wood. It's only really found towards the top of the North Island and it's not cheap to but it is truly spectacular in color, texture and unique wood grain

[CrashmanZero]

I love how you still learn through out the video, even though you are so accomplished. Mark of a true craftsman!

[Anti-U]

Randomly found this video, definitely love how you have passion for what you do and how you do it! 🔥🔥🔥 I’m a fan now

[AKGuru]

After playing Ghost of Tshumia i really want a Tanto and behold your video. Badass craftsmanship from one artisanal to another

[davidalhoff]

Wow how you can step up the quality of your products with each new build is amazing!

Nice Video, nice explanation and of course nice blades.

[testep]

Man, I have really enjoyed your journey. I've been watching you since the first videos you put out. Your skills and especially your confidence have dramatically improved! Not that your work was ever bad. Great work man!!

[Sirfinchyyy]

1:56 you can really see the different layers reacting to your hydraulic press with the amount of scale getting pushed off the billot. It's pretty cool to see how the 2 different types of steel react to the pressure/heat/ambient oxygen.

[Justsomedrummer]

I am just starting my blacksmithing journey and I aspire to be as good as you are one day. Thank you for being an inspiration, you have my respect ✌️

[Miklit]

10 year jeweler/engraver here, use a rocking motion (about 15-30degrees) when you cut and your blades will last way longer and cut way cleaner, burlife is essential as well for longevity and ease of use, can send a video of what I’m talking about technique wise if you let me know where’s best, keep up the incredible work!!

[cozyboi]

41:58 That's great and hilarious that you taped a piece of leather or something to your chest so you didn't get stabbed while sanding xD

[therocketman]

Few more observations, it may help to use a wooden mallet with your chisel. Also, you can get a basic shop vac or bucket vac and attach it to the router. It will make cleanup so much easier and it will allow you to view your work more easily when in use.

[bishoplg]

I just watched you work on forged in fire episodes (Netflix). 8 times Gladiator! I don't know how your channel found is way as a suggestion for me but I'm glad it did. It was amazing watching you work on the show. You have an amazing talent and a new follower. Congratulations on the win. Great work!

[normanbradley]

Long ago, I was told by someone who used to make sayas and Japanese style swords to be careful of the wood selected. Magnolia is traditional. Many use poplar now. The thing he said was to watch out for hard points in the wood, sometimes they are salt crystals but can be other minerals. They can scratch the blade when drawing it out. Also watch for sap and make sure the wood is properly dry. The saya he used on my tanto was Ambonya Burl.