Jim Kelso

Lovely clean work Francis. 👏

Very nice Francis. A lot going on in a small piece. 👍

That's a very interesting test Francis. It may be that the low percentage of iron had little, if any effect. There are so many variables in the niage process. I applaud all efforts toward gaining depth of experience. It's interesting how the wet alloys look so much richer. It is true that lighting makes huge differences in how these colors look. I try almost always to use fresh solution, but this is costly, and my lack of experience using used solutions does not inform how long, and under what conditions, a solution remains viable.

A lot to cover here Francis, but you clearly have a good grasp of the basics to ask such good questions. Experience is the key to all. You will hear various truisms, some which will bear out and some which won’t. Also something that works one time may be hard to replicate. Small things that you didn’t notice may have an effect. It’s easy to understand why the Japanese had specialists who only did patina, or it was their primary focus in a studio. I struggled with a certain piece, finally getting it acceptable without knowing quite why. I took it to Japan and consulted with a professor at Tokyo Geidai (U of Fine Arts) and he said very clearly what was going on and the light-bulb went on. I had done the right thing, finally, but without really grokking why. The point is, again, experience is the key. I would focus on smallish works, as you are, and combinations of colors, and move on with what you learn. I have found that some pieces I considered small tests turned out to hold up quite well as finished pieces. some specifics to follow....

I do use them in the flexible-shaft too but not when it’s risky😉

Hello Francis. Welcome! Jim

Looks like splendid progress Francis. Stones can be shaped to fit the job, and are best for maintaining flatness, or blending contours. After that, before the brush/abrasive grit polish, I am using rubberized abrasive wheels that are either whole or cut to shape(hand-held, not in rotary tool). Scrapers have their place for detail, but I find do not work well for leveling. An InstaGram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3FTYf4HWBL/

Very nicely done Francis. Elegant and stylish. The katakiri is very lovely. Beautiful movement in a deceptively simple design.

Found a discussion here: http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=8236&hl=demagnetizing

I use a commercial demagnetizer that a friend gave me from the jewelry trade. I don't know any other way but would love to. Jim

Hi Richard. Sorry for the slow response as I've been out of town. I'm glad you're getting some good results. I would like to clarify that my tools are, in general, hybridized, being a mix of European, American and Japanese derivation. Once you grasp the underlying principles involved it becomes a matter of the materials and methods that are most comfortable for you. Beyond the point geometry, the rest is down to preferences. Happy chiseling. Jim

Very fine work Dimitry

Thanks very much Fred. My goal in my work is to infuse it with as much of the power, beauty and mystery of nature as I can muster. I feel that the enjoyment that's poured into a work is most critical, giving it life. We are fortunate to have both ancient and more recent methods available, giving us the ability to choose whatever methods we find most suitable, to get the result we envision. Jim

Thanks Brian. A few more photos to follow.

Thanks very much Mike. I've added more photos to the stoning tutorial so refresh your browsers.