Patrick Hastings Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Hello, My name is Patrick Hastings. I have been working metal in one fashion or another for 21 years. I started out making sword as a hobby then became an apprentice to a custom jeweler. After that I moved on larger scale bronzes. After a thousand hours or so of chasing Bronze welds and repairs on statues I realized I had honed the ability to carve original works directly in the metal. This was left untapped until I discovered Japanese swords. It was my interest in swords that got me into metal working to start with so after falling in love with the Japanese sword fittings I saw into a whole new world of intricate sword decoration and art in general. Like Jim Kelso describes in his intro, I too am trying to learn all I can about Japanese metal techniques, the aesthetics, and styles. (I am much less experienced than Jim though). So now I have specialized my business to making Japanese sword fittings to compliment the handful of custom Japanese style sword smiths here in the west. I am now pretty comfortable with forging the basic parts I spend all my time working on my skills and techniques for decorating them and I have never been happier with my job. I am primarily self-taught drawing on my previous metal working careers and book research along with antique examination. Thank you to Janel and Don for starting this forum. I think it will be a regular stop for me and I hope to be able to contribute something useful at some point. You can see some of my work here My Webpage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Hi Patrick and welcome. I remember visiting your web site before and finding it very appealing and informative with some very well done tutorials around your beautiful work. I'll look forward to your contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DFogg Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Welcome Pattrick. I enjoyed your tutorial on shakudo. That casting flask has interested me for some time and I am glad to hear that it is useful. We look forward to your posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hastings Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Welcome Pattrick. I enjoyed your tutorial on shakudo. That casting flask has interested me for some time and I am glad to hear that it is useful. We look forward to your posts. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thank you! Don and Jim. I am glad that my website has been useful to more than myself. I have more educational stuff planned for the future, but the time is hard to find these days. For now I have more queastions than answers and that will probably never change as long as I am on "the path". Glad to be here in good company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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