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Read MoreA comparison of sword oils for use with antique blades
A member of the Nihonto Message Board has conducted an interesting short-term test of various traditional Japanese and Western modern oils and steel protectants, focusing on...
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Read MoreThe blacksmiths of Telangana and tracing the origins of wootz steel
The idea for this post started when I came across a fascinating short article from the Hans India newspaper. In Blacksmiths of Telangana: A forgotten tale of hammer and...
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Read More1892 Report by US Consul: Collecting weapons in China
An interesting look into the crystal ball of arms collecting history is provided by Edward Bedloe, who served as US Consul to “Amoy” as it was known at the time...
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Read MoreA quick look at Tenshinryu iaido, the quick-draw of a very long blade
Tenshinryu Hyouho (兵法, school of complete martial tactics, strategy) is listed as one of the koryu (historic and traditional) martial arts of Japan. Historically, it is...
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Read MorePutting the curve in a katana via quenching
When looking at the graceful curve of a katana, many imagine the smith hammering on a folded steel blank to create the final shape. Outside of serious students of forging...
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Read MoreIslamic swords from the 14th century on (Islamic swords Part 2)
As I mentioned in my previous article, there are few good resources on Islamic swords for the general reader. Today I’m going to draw heavily on the articles by Dr. A....
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Read MoreA look at early Medieval Islamic swords
Today we’re going to start and exploration of a topic that sees little light; Medieval Islamic swords. With the exception of a public fascination with Damascus steel...
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Read MoreAnalysis of a 15th century Ottoman raid on the Croatian border
Trigger warning: This post reviews forensic research on the skeletal remains from a small town in what is now Croatia. As part of this paper, the researchers present...
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Back on the job…
After being offline for most of the last few weeks due to medical issues and...
Read MoreCollected Japanese sword-related sayings from Markus Sesko
Markus Sesko is a well known specialist translator of Japanese texts, author,...
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Ottoman manuscript
Analysis of a 15th century Ottoman raid on the Croatian border
Trigger warning: This post reviews forensic research on the skeletal remains...
Read MoreIn the News UK: Unlucky Viking sword could be yours for £120,000
Dateline UK via Daily Mail Online “Is this England’s unluckiest...
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Jan Van Boendale (c.1280-1351)
Background and metallurgical analysis of a ducal Renaissance blade from Racibórz
In 1996, during an archeological dig in a form nunnery church in Racibórz,...
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credit: Wikipedia
Video workshops on the training and use of spear-like polearms
Harking back to my article on the development and use of a spear as a cutting...
Read MoreNew history of tameshigiri by Markus Sesko now available!
Markus Sesko is a well-known specialist author and translator of Japanese...
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