This page is dedicated solely to the work of my apprentice, Josiah Boomershine. A place for Josiah to showcase and sell his available work. This also helps him to earn an income and learn the business end of the craft while apprenticing full time.
Many of the blades Josiah makes will have been joint efforts involving both our labor and every blade he finishes is fully inspected by me and receives my full endorsement prior to sale.
Josiah can be reached at: boomershinejosiah@gmail.com
Large Osoraku tanto. Big enough to almost to be wakizashi length. This style of blade is rare and difficult to do correctly. It is forged from tamahagane and exhibits prominent shadowing above the hamon throughout the length of the blade. It is in fresh polish and comes with copper cat-scratch habaki that has a rich brown patina applied by traditional rokusho process.
Length; 17.75 in
Blade length; 13 in
Sori; 12.5 mm
Width at machi; 1.25 in
Width at yokote; 1 and 3\8 in
Price $3200
This kogatana is made from tamahagane and displays a very nice grain pattern. I recently made for it a textured fine silver habaki and shirasaya.
A note on habaki making; A blade this small presents challenges for making a proper fitting habaki. While forging the habaki, the blade just fits into the palm of one's hand so there isn't much there to grip and stabilize. It should only be touching the tang on the ha and mune and not the sides of the blade at all to preserve the polish. There should be no play in the fit and the best habaki will have a completely closed solder seam that runs along the ha. Price: $550
