Making a Katana from a Circular Saw-blade

Some details about the build;
The blade is 640mm (25") long,
The handle is made from purple heart wood and phenolic plastic with fibreglass pins,
I got the large saw-blade for free from a sawmill,
The steel is medium/high carbon and is already hardened,
I applied water regularly while grinding to prevent overheating the steel and ruining the hardness.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon for early access to videos and to help keep quality content like this coming: www.patreon.co...
Check out my instagram for more updates: / theartofweapons
All music was used with permission from the creator and is royalty free.

[@taow]

Some details about the build; Apparently it's not technically a katana, but a katana shaped blade... The blade is 640mm (25") long, The handle is made from purple heart wood and phenolic plastic with fibreglass pins, I got the large saw-blade for free from a sawmill, The steel is medium/high carbon and is already hardened, I applied water regularly while grinding to prevent overheating the steel and ruining the hardness. I'm also planning on making a sheath in a future video. Hope you all enjoyed!

[@sgthughes]

Hey, just be careful with owning this type of blade as there is specific legislation regarding katana style blades, due to some attacks a decade ago. I'm fairly certain new blades are completely banned.

[@cartertech2531]

Great video. Good job with the tanto tip looks great

[@Newmarketonfergus]

If you want to send me an offcut of that saw blade I can Rockwell hardness test it for you

[@apocalypsepyro]

It's absolutely gorgeous and the craftsmanship is topnotch.

[@St0RM33]

many do care, and if you were selling this you would get sued

[@robertflanagan4164]

What an excellent project! I'm currently restoring a Victorian Gothic house so I totally get the commitment to sanding. As a fishermen, I'm also a knife nut so love your videos

[@joeshaft]

Ive been watching your channel for years since you were doing the old slingshot videos way back. Still making brilliant content and like matthias wandel, you're making content without a supersized workshop or a tool sponsorship, which makes the projects relatable and way more enjoyable to watch, as well as inspiring. people like you and tom stanton are brilliant examples of can do attitude and passion for making. Just a side note, invest in some decent cobalt drills for your projects as it will make all that hole drilling way easier and neater.

[@kiwikiwi7375]

Lord Sakazuki hahahahahah

[@teenapittman4241]

I have watched him from those years also. Melting aluminum cans and pouring into molds. I have never had any intention of making any of these things that he makes but I like to watch him make them from things that are normally thrown away. I also like the way that he isn’t disappointed when it’s not quite perfect. He does the best he can with what he’s got.

[@fixedrider5912]

You have the patience of a monk, and the determination of a bull. Beautiful project, and the music was perfect!

[@Omegaman-uy7vg]

I remember watching your videos years ago and appreciating that someone at about the same age as me is doing cool stuff. I'm so happy to see another video from you and to see that you're going to university but still doing the cool things that ive admired you for.

[@jonmurph589]

Those young hands have amazing skills and patience. Good for you!!

[@sambaggins2798]

The purist in me said “that’s not a katana” lol. It is however a beautiful piece you’ve made. You put in a ton of hard work to produce a short sword you should be very proud of. Love the recycling of material also. Bottom line.... great job!

[@HanSolo__]

No need for a purist to know its as far from katana as it is from the puukko knife.

[@SamSung-qv7de]

.m

[@charlesseymour1482]

Beautiful blade my friend. Great craftsmanship every turn. Good hole alignment insured by pre insert of fiber glass rods. Nice videography too with good music choices.

[@theplotdragon]

Didn't know there were so many traditional Japanese weapon experts on KZbin. Nice work man, beautiful katana!

[@HanSolo__]

If it only was the issue of the "expert" level of knowledge. This is not close to ANY Japan type of blade. Katana is not even near being considered.

[@lewisknight4771]

Used to watch your stuff when I was 16 and learning to make knives myself I’m 21 now Great content man Good to see you’ve stuck at it

[@thecanadianthrower]

Very nice Katana style Machete. It was nice to see you using the water to keep the steel cool so you would not lose the hardness of the metal. The sharping stones where nice to see to. And the handle had way to many pins in it but was still so pretty. Good choice of wood. Keep up the great work.

[@dsaptarshi]

Technically not a Katana but more like a Machete, but who cares, you did an incredible job and I really liked it. The hardness of the saw blade ia clearly eminent hence wondering how it will react against a strong blow in a hard object as it tends to look more brittle to me. Personally i feel the sharpness will last considerably long due to hardness, and I also feel you can make it a lot sharper than what you shown to us. Great Jobs and kudos

[@rickmeadows6265]

Beautiful my friend. That's a family heirloom your grandchildren can truly cherish someday.

[@MartinBgelund]

I never saw a katana in that old rusty sawblade. But you brought it out from there. Amazing.

[@highprecisioneyeballing8423]

OMG! What a video, what craftmanship, what a blade, what sharpening and even tameshigiri skills. This is all amasing! New subscriber!

[@accidentalengineering]

This is your finest work so far, both with the sword and video editing!

[@itempthekiller979]

U say thay like your hes maneger or somthing

[@FluffyNoble]

Highly skilled young man , if only the majority has a mind set like you , well done

[@Aleeknives]

I liked your editing style and the blade came out real nice! I recently made one and called it a katana and got completely lambasted by people about it.

[@IAM_THAT_IAM888]

Who cares what they think 💭 you actually created it which is what counts as long as you are happy the ones that appreciate these type of projects will too forget the haters who are they to judge ? Do you and be proud, not everybody have the balls to do it and showcase it for the world 🌎 but you obviously do 💪🏾 , keep going haters will always be there whether you’re right about something or not 😂😂

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you cosmic maverik. That was refreshing man!

[@danielwilson5102]

The weebs get way too butt-hurt over things like that. Just laugh it off.

[@johngoldsworthy1925]

Very nice creation and the music was pleasant to listen to while you made this fine blade.

[@СамоучкаДмитрий]

1. ПРЕКРАСНОЕ ИЗДЕЛИЕ!!! 2. ПРЕКРАСНАЯ СЛЕСАРНАЯ РАБОТА - свёл работу на гриндере к минимуму!!! РЕСПЕКТ ТАКИМ ПАРНЯМ!!!!! Друг мой, ты проделал гигантскую и прекрасную работу!!!!

[@themightymidget99]

I can speak from experience, quarantine revision brings out the highest levels of procrastination you can possibly imagine

[@maximsist1892]

I am sooo upset ....That I didn't find this channel sooner. I need to watch all the videos he's made!

[@timokapitein414]

The level of craftmanship and skill in this build is amazing! Good job man!!!

[@net-twin-de]

It has become more of a Machete with a Tanto Style, but it's looking great man - nice Project :)

[@veritas2185]

Lmao too funny

[@eduardosalazar9604]

@@630nick you come over a dios to love it I ok lol on to I'm ok

[@liam10071]

Missed your last few uploads, did not expect to see this but am glad i did!

[@lurkk6665]

I remember your videos as a kid making slingshots and knife handles out of milk cartons

[@michaelhorton1350]

Nice project...beautiful product. Camera work is unusually good, some labelling, although most steps are self-explanatory. Very cool.

[@charlesseymour1482]

Black and purple heart colors go together perfectly.

[@satnamdass1846]

I don't know how many hours you put into this but you did it affection and dedication. Keep making these video 👍

[@Random360M]

🤣, go for real katana forging in taditional ways. It takes about a year. Watch it,interesting

[@glennbrymer4065]

It will be here 5000 years from now. Beautiful.

[@NorrisdaBahia]

put the cap on the bottle and pierce it with a nail, only a jet of water will come out. Beautiful work!

[@kellye2013]

A man Who stands under this blade's shadow will surely not object to the name given to it by the owner. Call it a spork for all I care, it is a fine piece of craftsmanship and built for serious use! Sing the body electric my friend~

[@sanrasuzumaki942]

Although NOT a Katana, this thing is really good looking and I want one!

[@RimWulf]

Wakasashi style machete.

[@vinhill5287]

I enjoyed this handy work and having proper tools so much .....I CRIED! To have any ability one must try, also yup always need help weither from somone or the proper tools! THANKS MAN , IAND I DO LOVE BLADE AND SWORDS👊

[@malelpn37]

I never would have thought of using a concrete carbide tipped bit to go through hardened steel, I’ve been wanting to make some blades out of files as well as sawblades and now I know how

[@true_believer72]

That was definitely some skilled blade work my friend. I’m impressed. You really forged a valid weapon from a rusty old other wise piece of scrap. The handle turned out beautiful with the black inlay. And the blade... remarkable.

[@saschasmith3635]

I would more so call it metal work then blade work impressive none the less

[@Jo_Kuiper]

@@saschasmith3635 I agree, this wasn't forged, cause there was no forge involved at all.

[@icantbelieveimsayingthisbu84]

“Forged a valid weapon” can I get time stamp I missed it In the other hand really nice metal work

[@1983jwade]

Looks more like a wakazashi very cool build

[@JP-ru6jd]

Thank you for not choosing annoying music

[@jamesfranklin5541]

An excellent song, and lowered volume for noisy tools, what a gentleman

[@kevincrowe1872]

More of a Wakizashi style, but very well done, it will cut, and no doubt kill. Love it..

[@jordancohen474]

I was a little worried about installing the blade after reading a couple of reviews. But it was amazingly easy. Took about 1 minute. Works great kzbin.infoUgkxjpBI8OOeUXib_iT7UomCrQ-uauwZJ62c . Cuts easily and is perfect for pocket cuts I needed to make for replacing some old deck boards.

[@Mirinmaru]

I remember when you were just a kid with a passion. You've grown :)

[@lifesabuzzwhoopwhoop]

You enjoyed making it and I enjoyed watching it, nice one mate.

[@jayday4879]

pure art ..perfect metal to start with would weld the cutting edge before grinding for hardened edge..cheap trick that can save the blade long term

[@kyoudaiken]

I prefer those videos just with the tool sounds.

[@paulwhitehead3002]

Love the blade work it is art as far as I am concerned and Katana style blade are always good looking

[@Sketchy_Dood]

Idk if you could call this katana since it has to be a certain length and have certain qualities that this knife lacks, it’s more like a machete or katana inspired machete.

[@juddium]

Or a wakizashi?

[@Mr.Donahue]

Still beautiful though.

[@Sketchy_Dood]

Brian Donahue hell yeah it is

[@Sketchy_Dood]

Eric Judd it’s a just 1 inch taller than a regular wakizahi so it’ll probably be classified as a machete ō-wakizashi hybrid

[@marconeubauer6631]

You absolutly said what i was about to say, thank u, now i just need to like that comment! XD

[@gerardmourits8709]

Looking pretty sweet. You can definitely trim some greenery with that. At least that what I primarily used my large sharp metal objects for.

[@jeremyslavsky9344]

Really happy to see your channel on my recommended list again! My son and I watched all your old videos and I will definitely watch this with him and show him what happens if you keep moving forward. Enjoyed the build and the video production quality.

[@makerofmanythings8447]

I will be making one of these...Thank you for the video. Good job..

[@geoffpinkerton63]

Give this guy a tool shop, he'll be a one man A Team

[@ASJ-t3c]

Excellent effort great job and excellent results and best finish

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

Excellent video, a good looking weapon too... Your home made craftsmanship is really first class. :)

[@ajablades9524]

Good job. Even though it’s not really a katana but it is a nice blade. Thanks for the video

[@lucasholcombe3358]

Great work. Little tip, pouring the water on the cut hardens the scar. Might save a few blades.

[@blahblahblahblah2933]

Nice work. It's amazing to think that Japanese artisans were making katanas the same way for like 600 years. Their hands must have gotten super tired cranking their angle grinders though.

[@springy06]

Arrr Ummm respect towards them for sure

[@dogdan100]

Nice tip with the masonry bits.

[@darrellblair5818]

This was a lot of work and patience. Turned out fantastic. 👍

[@barthanes1]

Very beautiful blade. For some reason I want to see this katana pulled from a knife block built into the countertop. When it's in the knife block it looks like a regular knife (6" to 8" blade), and then you draw the full length of blade from out of the counter.

[@callumnairn6755]

our lil dudes all grown up :)) i remember your first slingshot video man XD hope ur doing well haha

[@captainbeaky]

Great job! Much, you have learned, youngling. Looks like a blade for cutting competitions, although it would need a lanyard hole at each end of the handle for that. Nice to see someone else cutting bevels with an angle grinder. Have you considered clamping the blade at an angle so that the bevel surface you are grinding is horizontal? That way, you hold the grinder horizontally, which personally I find a lot easier than keeping the bevel angle consistent. It’s also easier to make the bevel angle and depth consistent between the two sides. Just a suggestion.

[@emroy.129]

thats a neat machete. looks great

[@guywilson2394]

Awesome came out better than I thought it would.

[@terryritchings242]

Wow you put a lot of work into that blade👌 You have done an awesome job and I cannot wait to see what you make next👍😁

[@ranradd]

Nice job showing how it's done. I have a 4 foot long (one end broken off) two-man tree saw been hanging in my garage, probably since the 1940's I've been eyeing to make into a sword of some type. There is enough metal to make a nice set. Thanks for the inspiration. Maybe best for a Chinese Jian style blade though.

[@hassanhassan-zs8ms]

Fantastic work and fantastic skill - congrats

[@Abdal-RahmanI]

Great video, lots of work in it.

[@5phutsangtao-iQ]

more beautiful than the factory

[@markonikolovsk22]

I really enjoy the work you put into 1 video

[@tiagotrigo9007]

Machetana very nice work, man !

[@adrianlala5044]

Really cool sword and functional

[@sticky59]

Great project with a nice finish.

[@laughingkars889]

That is one bad-assed kitchen knife

[@5phutsangtao-iQ]

How much money does that knife sell

[@Tinkering902]

I made a hatchet with a similar blade and the first time I cut a branch the head snapped off clean, so be careful. A torch temper along the spine might be a good idea.

[@gigglesilly17]

Turned out good

[@aylorjames848]

Hallo your video is very interesting and worth a watch. Can I ask why you did not try to make the legendary blade in the traditional way with the time proven fold techniques? I can see you have skill and imagination so making a forge and using equivalents of shingane and kawagane steel I could see you executing well which would have with the combined folding techniques what have seen you create piece of art with the resulting jihada. Thank you for this resulting piece that you made and I looking forward to when you may revisit this video with a traditional twist.

[@robertmills4980]

Your an artist bro👏👏👏

[@pusmeongmeong5200]

did you notice at 6:09 there's rainbow on the garden.. you have some skills with angle grinder 👍👍👍

[@garyharmon1155]

Nice design, great job. Thanks for sharing

[@mawimawi1784]

Nice and good katana...mawi Malaysia

[@sphereitis2433]

Good work. Nice blade.

[@shademe]

Lot of work and sharpening to sink it into a 1x4 at the end ouch. I can definitely appreciate the build nice work.

[@amilcarochoa8665]

Is a beautiful piece of art, of course it doesn’t have to be a katana or wakizashy is your own blade!!! Call it as you wish no one can sue you for that, the only little detail that bugged me is the 2ndary bevel, but I’m no one so don’t mind me 😅 great job TAOW...

[@frucklerbullpit]

who gives a shit if it doesn't meet traditional criteria. this bloke put a heap of effort to create this. his family never saw him for weeks!

[@KennethNicholson1972]

Absolutely awesome buddy. Awesome.

[@BrotherRain]

Great patience, excellent skills, a fine sword resulting. Frankly, what it is technically is a combat ready sword that most of these "commentators" couldn't produce on their own. In the event of an apocalypse, you'll be busy because they'll come flocking to you for those same swords. Nicely done.

[@andriannani9702]

Pekerjaannya sangat bagus dan hasil yang memuaskan.

[@MarcoTrillion]

Awesome work!

[@wikijogja]

Beautiful sword.

[@jamespark_85machiningtv]

Good job. Very sharp!

[@draven3838]

Nicely made I have one I made out of an A2 sawmill round blade and it's the hardest steel that isn't oil quench I've ever used

[@paulbashford3444]

Defiantly your best video to date, I've been following you for years and your work is exquisite. I thought we were going to see your face in this one (almost), but you remain the man of mystery lol.

[@taow]

Haha cheers! Glad you enjoyed

[@maxwelzig]

Great video! Only one question. What is the purpose of the copper sulphate?

[@fadlyae8965]

Proses yang panjang dan hasil yang luar biasa👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mariocalderon4355]

Maravilloso trabajo,felicitaciones.saludos desde COLOMBIA SUR AMÉRICA

[@kamarajm4106]

Precisely graftmenship!wow great,but why don't you do quenching?

[@titioivanildoivanildo4477]

Meu amigo! Parabéns pelo seu lindo trabalho! E que Deus seja louvado pela sua vida!

[@williehasenbos4899]

beautiful "Mathilda" !!!!

[@TrojanHorse1959]

Nice job TAOW, it looks great!

[@guerineaumichel7220]

Super travail bravo

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Absolutely awesome Katana Sword !!!!!!!!!!!!