I forge blades near the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke, Virginia. I was born in Zamora, Spain, although I grew up in nearby Salamanca.
I started making blades because of my interest in Japanese swords. I have practiced and taught different forms of kenjutsu over the years. I regularly refine my skills at tameshigiri ―cutting tatami or bamboo targets― and I am a modest collector of Japanese swords. I have been a student of nihonto for many years.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge, I took the challenge of learning how the Japanese swords were made and what made them so special. Hence, I started a long road into bladesmithing.
My work reflects the fact that I have been exposed to many different cultures. Typically, I start a new project by sketching a design in paper, and then I refine the drawing until I am happy with the design and materials chosen. As far as the choice of steel, I favor W2 and I also make my own steel by using a Japanese tatara smelter and other archaic methods. I prefer natural materials for fittings.
The content of what I share in these pages will change over time. I will list new blades as they are completed under the For Sale menu or the Gallery menu and I will describe some of the methods that I use to do my work. Those will be listed under the Tutorials menu. The way I have learned this art is by practicing on my own and by what other craftsmen have been kind enough to share with me, so I want to give back as well.
Jesus Hernandez