Forging a Damascus Katana from 1000 paperclips

I turned about 1,000 nickel-plated paper clips into katana swords. This video fully documented the entire process. It took about 30 days to make. The biggest difficulty was keeping the steel core centered. The length of the katana added to the challenge. The rope part of the handle is the result of the sixth. It looks easy, but it actually requires a lot of proficiency to be satisfying. Regardless, the result is to my satisfaction, and this is the longest, most complex, and most challenging project I've ever made. Thanks for watching, and let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions.
instagram： / hans__workshop

[@HansKnives]

I guess I should come out and clarify that the blade is a san mai construction, the material in the middle is 1095, the clip material is mild steel and does not participate in the actual cutting. But it can increase the overall willfulness of the blade. 2:55

[@Pprokop87]

And don't forget that this is a pattern welding and not a damascus

[@dr.futtbutt898]

@@Pprokop87 people have been calling this Damascus since the 70s

[@Pprokop87]

@@dr.futtbutt898pattern welding is not damascus. It looks diferent and is made in a diferent way

[@dr.futtbutt898]

​@@Pprokop87no shit but that doesn't mean anybody cares people have been using that word for wrong for 50 yrs

[@dr.futtbutt898]

​@@Pprokop87I'm aware I'm just saying everyone is using the wrong word for it anyway

[@brianginex4834]

Imagine forging a katana in the feudal period without modern tools, they were truly badass

[@HitokiriBattuosai]

True pros in Japan do it like in feudal times. But u imagine what is the price for such ones.

[@Luke_wait_for_it_marengo]

Millions

[@jospahitposting7132]

El problema de la forja tradicional es que las katanas resultantes eran literalmente una basura por su acero súper quebradizo gracias a su excesiva concentración en carbono

[@brianginex4834]

@@jospahitposting7132 los samurais al leer esto 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@jospahitposting7132]

@@brianginex4834 jajaja y ojalá lo lean la herrería actual arregla todos los problemas de una katana tradicional

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Thank you for not speeding everything up so fast, it gives us a much better idea as to how long projects like this take to complete.

[@HansKnives]

I will never speed up a video in the future. that's lazy

[@AkSamurai69]

Yeah. About 25 minutes 😅

[@sportscorner210]

@@HansKnives how much it took to complete?

[@hiekelhiekel]

yeap 23 mins ! im ready to start now

[@thegamingjelly1719]

The quench has to be the scariest part in the forging process. If you get a warp you have such a short amount of time to correct it, and if you hear a ping, it’s over, gotta restart from scratch

[@johnnyfaint7114]

What does the ping mean?

[@thegamingjelly1719]

@@johnnyfaint7114 It means a stress fracture formed in the blade, so it's liable to break. You can't really just reheat and reforge it most of the time, you just have to cut your losses and start over

[@smacksteel708]

If you get a warp and are unable to fix it before it cools down you can always re heat it and quench it again, normalizing is key to a successful quench though

[@johnnyfaint7114]

@@thegamingjelly1719 from scratch?!

[@scottstudebaker2959]

Well to tale you the onest truth I'd prefer a sword making video the old way, the way the Japanese made they'r swords,it's more interesting. Not how the Americans use all fantasy presses and modern technology, all this gets away from how people made there own tools in life. Americans have gotten away from the old ways, maybe it's time to bring back these older ways and view how people from around the world made there tools. It would be nice to see again how the Japanese continue to make their swords the same way for many centuries and still do.

[@rafaeltoledo2310]

you know how good a guy's skill is when he makes it look easy.

[@thiagocarvalho2928]

The fact you actually made a sanmai forging made the video worth watching, nice work!

[@gonzala]

pleasantly relieved when i saw the high carbon come out. seen a bunch of videos where they try to trick you into thinking they used a bunch of nails or welding rod to make a complete knife. very nice work.

[@jkr3008]

The blade texture is simply mesmerising. Not even mentioning the craftsmanship. Overall, this neat and humble design plus the skills resulted in a beautiful sword. Which is waiting for its saya of course.

[@ogleg179]

Una espada increíble tendría que probar la dureza del material usado, pero como viene de un experto forjador le doy 20 puntos😊 un hermoso trabajo 👍

[@skylersmith9465]

I like how the edge steel layered in gave the look of the old way of hardening the blade by the use of clay, the iconic katana waves.

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

Great job, Han! This one turned out amazing! Too bad it wasn’t for The Samurai Challenge! 😉

[@arsknivesofficial]

Love and hobbies never fade, like this work

[@HansKnives]

Thank you Dennis. I'm always one step slower, or one step faster. Yet the challenge film performed poorly.

[@cgray5559]

This was really dope. I recently got into forging about a year ago because of the show, and im really fascinated by it. Love to see a bunch of random materials turn into a beautiful blade. Turned out really nice. Almost as if Hattori Hanzo made it himself lol.

[@tuxedo1557]

great reference lol

[@ssjronin3972]

This is the best forging video I've come across on KZbin, loved seeing each step in depth. Thank you so much.

[@jimmylee695]

so young yet so skilled. Everything done meticulously and with thought and speed. This Katana blade is a beauty to look at and Hatori Hanzo will be proud. I salute you Hans, from Australia.

[@Meagain921]

Thank you…..a real joy to watch a creative, skilled craftsman at work…….

[@slicerpaper]

The Shinogi-ji is so narrow that it almost looks like Hira Zukuri, but nice hamon out of something like Paperclips, forging stuff out of paperclips can be hard, and this is one of the stuff I’ve seen that has cool aesthetics.

[@MrNoodlesYT]

I love the Damascus pattern and the look of the katana! Great job!

[@michaeljflops]

That was incredible watching. Thank you for that show of art!

[@Ivegotwormsinme]

Who else here loves to file? Who doesn't like to file? Whether you like it or not, it's very rewarding to see such instant results to your piece. I for one rather enjoy filing immensely as well as sanding. It's a fun time to see something go from being somewhat rough to a glass-like finish.

[@nathancarabajal8271]

Katana is awesome. Well done and fantastic work. Should definitely make more katanas or other swords

[@kevdimo6459]

A magnificent creation! Do you ever have the feeling that you were born 1,000 years too late? Thank you for sharing again. 👍🏻

[@HansKnives]

Wow! Thanks for your encouragement.🍻

[@archangel2781]

But paperclips didn't exist 1000 years ago.....😅

[@SovereignKnight74]

Amazing! The time and effort..... Everything from scratch! Now that's love of the craft right there! Great job!

[@flatlyna2223]

Fantastic skills and a mighty Impressive katana as the final result. Thank you for taking the time to produce the video.

[@Steve-vf7se]

Looks cool, the material has real shine to it. Swords in stores to buy or look at are amazing, wish Halloween stores had it for real

[@deviceu]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your creation!

[@duyvominh9403]

The level of craftsmanship is awesome for a KZbin video ❤

[@Acuas]

That damascus pattern turned up beautifull

[@vinceianni4026]

Beautiful sword Beautifully made good job well done

[@RK36_]

Watching this I was wondering if there’s any negatives to cutting a slot in the forge cover to slide your holding piece into so you can get maximum heat. Gonna have to try it now when I make my forge

[@MrKennyT1123]

Sat mesmerized the whole time.

[@Viktor_Johansson]

Beautiful! The steel pattern almost looks like wootz!

[@user-by8ww1fl9z]

Great job. I generally love edged weapons, but this is just super!

[@cheikhibra7556]

😂

[@potatoman7594]

its really cool how we can come to KZbin and watch stuff be made that would've had stories written about it 1000 years ago

[@johnholmes6897]

Beautiful sword. Great work !

[@jkbeanboy]

Beautiful sword and very detailed video! My only wish would be to see some blade curvature.

[@andyt5559]

1 word! STUNNING!

[@RangerRon75]

after watching several episodes of Forged In Fire. I really thank you for your excellent camera work! It shows so much more than they do for their time constraints. I particularly liked the detail work on the copper and brass fittings. Just wanted to know what adhesive you used when putting the wooden parts of the handle together? I will not be making anything like this. I used to be a brass and woodwind instrument technician for several years until I could no longer do it.. I appreciate the skills you have to do this.

[@pimpdaddysupremeki]

1:44 scared me, clearly to cold to be moved. Love that you noticed and for it back in the cooker.

[@giulymonisteri7607]

Sinceramente una delle katana più belle che ho mai visto costruire da un amatore complimenti 🥋🙏

[@forginghard]

[@mohamedayari1014]

Beautiful work! Congratulations! I imagined that you shape the Guard like a paperclip 😂!

[@J0DAH]

Wow this is awesome. Great craftsmanship

[@alikc25]

Awesome job on the Katana.

[@Mark-jd2dv]

Beautiful work! Very talented and skilled.

[@barclayv8282]

Beautiful blade. Well done.

[@user-lu8lf7lh8m]

Богатое оснащение мастерской, золотые руки. Но стоит подучиться владеть мечом)

[@h.al.8801]

Looks very nice!!!

[@tonyjacob8467]

I got a bunch of paperclips from my old retail job. I'd like to try this out one day! Thanks.

[@Elbaz8]

Wow. This is beautiful and amazing. I enjoyed watching it.

[@meequalsmc2]

Beautifully crafted, legendary skill.

[@dennislanning8076]

Good Job with the milling machine.. so much more sense and so much faster .. Less contamination.

[@andyt5559]

I want to fast forward so I can see the patern, but it's fascinating watch you work your magic!

[@czh2432]

Excellent work!

[@Catinahat934]

That Katana is so cool! I also like the idea of using paperclips...

[@DragonRose81]

Amazing work

[@user-ls2fh1nn6p]

До чего же красиво!❤

[@guillermoalfaro2714]

Hey 👋 man how you doing bro nice!!..work!..it looks like wootz steel blessings 🙌 🙏 ✨️

[@adamsalisbury4767]

The attention to detail is excellent. I wonder how many drill bits it would take for something like that. I also enjoyed how I could see you doing the wrap and weave on the handle I never knew how it was done before people always speed up during the weave.

[@238Ninja]

As a sword collector...I want one..very nice sword..looks great

[@Lambman001]

Master at work. Looks awesome.

[@chewyakarieckenicholas6049]

Great katakana and awesome video keep you the good work

[@bryanhoward667]

Awesome blade work brother .

[@chrisgreen235]

I Love the Authenticity of your work! You forged everything out beautifully and true to most of the Japanese tradition. Very Beautiful Thank you for not wasting 20 mins of our life. Love the editing also no speed ups lets us see Everything!.......12 out of 10!!!

[@MASI_forging]

Excellent work. The KATANA looks so cool. 😍😍 Love all the way you do. 🥰🥰

[@HansKnives]

Thank you so much 😃

[@thejerkofalltrades3862]

It's so awesome that you used only the finest high grade steele paperclips and that you are actually a samurai.

[@user-kj9yf7qk1v]

Exelente trabajo 👍

[@manjitahzan9577]

What a beautiful piece. Created with careful skills.

[@adampeter7271]

Love to see the scabbard :) as a complete set.

[@jjs13rj]

Now that is Beautiful!!!❤️‍🔥👊

[@joeboivin3897]

I want that 😮Fantastic Great work and Patience very Professional .

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

excellent blade, your a very skilled craftsman! good video too, liked the fruit ninja action haha

[@alikoohkheil2934]

عالی 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 یکی از بهترین ها❤❤

[@christianmcgee2169]

Beautiful blade

[@Luke_wait_for_it_marengo]

This is awesome

[@kevenbeene4585]

1st off beautiful blade. 2nd you're edge geometry is what is causing the blade to chunk the watermelon , take some off the toff and it will flow easier through. I own a 17th and 16th century Samari swords. The edge geometry is everything. Like i said well done beautiful blade.

[@regisvoiclair]

Wonderful !!!

[@bleuetamoosejaw]

Beautiful work

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

fantastic work

[@carmenjgarciap8153]

wife: I don't have a knife to cut this fruit. him: give me a minute.

[@parrishparrish4016]

Nice workmanship... Well though out...

[@runescraper950430]

Getting killed by this would be called death by a thousand paper clips 😂

[@DKSON1337]

This was so satisfying to watch..

[@dn2817]

Beautiful craftsmanship Very nice work !

[@kalebgrubb2272]

Beautiful

[@Sdogg420024]

Was soo good I forgot it was paper clips!

[@moistsock69]

i love this video.

[@patrickhartmann1294]

Awesome work.

[@rhaegostheskydragon1760]

Beautiful work!

[@HansKnives]

Thank you very much!

[@rhaegostheskydragon1760]

@@HansKnives your welcome

[@thomasjones4306]

It’s nice to see the modern tools but I was hoping for the old fashion hammer and anvil? Maybe next time.

[@kveldgorkon4611]

Beautiful Sword ...

[@gamerlore6573]

probably best job ever

[@hbhfdvhj1753]

تحياتي لك. عمل متقن ويستحق الاعجاب احسنت

[@zacharyfouty4224]

Give a man a lemon and he makes lemonade. Give a man a paper clip, he makes a katana. Life is simple.

[@RainZe236]

The thought to just bite on the metal when its fresh out the Furnace wouldve long got me

[@Breakdafunklooseforever]

This is awesome!

[@creatorqi]

越来越专业，给你点赞👍

[@HansKnives]

谢谢哈。出差了，才看到

[@anime_fedz]

When there's a zombie apocalypse this is the guy you gotta call.

[@fabiopersonaltr]

Trabalho fenomenal

[@drunkwoodswyllia4885]

Wow that’s beautiful! Would that be for sale? If so how much?

[@oneshotme]

Beautiful Katana and you did an excellent job making it and the Scabbard!!!! I enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up 💙Slava Ukraini!! #StopRussia Heroyam Slava💛

[@_MajinLu]

Amazing video and look I know it's extremely hot glowing metal but it keeps reminding me of forbidden pastry