Impressed by damascus knives I have received as a gift for my 30th birthday from Kyoto- Japan grown a special interest to follow the work of a blacksmith art all over the world as well as forging my own knife one day.
Welcome to Emberborn
Emergency rescue!
January 27, 2019
Spirit of Nepal
July 12, 2019Emberborn, Cerknica, Slovenia
FORGING MY FIRST BLADE
My colleague invited me to see the work of a young talented blacksmith whose known by the name Emberborn- this was an offer I could not refuse. Finally the time has come to forge a special blade with my identity sign on.
This project brought us in the heart of Notranjska region to a small city Cerknica. (Known by its miraculous lake Cerknica, one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe)
A very nice and polite blacksmith Mr. Lenhart Perko invited us for a cup of coffee, introduced us with his story and explained all the necessary requirements we need to know before we proceed to his workshop.
Mr. Perko’s plan was to revive the myths and legends about Slovenian blacksmithing masters. He wanted to bring back the craft that was slowly fading away.
Studying a several hundred years old Slovenian iron working and blacksmithing tradition- besides his regular full time job, sounds as a challenging task doesn’t it?
Life of the blacksmith is tough. It requires skill in metalworking, woodworking and design as well as patience and constant attention. It is a slow process so you need to take time to do things right.
Working in the heat, noise and dust of the forges takes a man and a half.
‘Anything is possible if you have the mindset, the will and desire to do it.’
Discussing about all sorts of techniques of forging, hammering and folding the metal as well as Japanese methods wich he sincerely values and respects, over the years Mr. Perko has developed his own mechanisms, his own style.
While working with any materials he can recycle, He strongly believes his products must have a story that needs to blend with the person developing the blade. A story you can’t buy in the supermarket.
Forging my blade- step by step
Draw the blade
Get creative with your design, but keep functionality and practicality in mind.
Decide on blade length and design the tang
Proper clothes for blacksmithing
Hot embers will go right through synthetic fabric materials like polyester or nylon and burn you, so they should be avoided. The best thing to wear is 100 natural fibers. Linen, cotton, and especially wool are all good things to wear.
Obtain the material- steel you will use
Assemble your tools and cut the metal
Prepare the forge heat
When the steel reaches the correct temperature, it loses its magnetic properties.
Forg the metal and hammered it into shape
This is required by the metal to keep the desired properties of strength and flexibility.
Annealing- to remove internal stresses and toughen it.
Grinding
Work out the edge and point.
Hardening
Place it into a quenching tank. This quenching allows it to cool quickly and evenly which will harden the metal. Be aware that there will be fire when the blade is put into the oil.
Tempering
Tempering allows the blade to be strong but not brittle.
Sand the blade
Sharpening and polishing
HANDLE
- Cut out your handle pieces
- Drill a hole
- Attach the pieces with epoxy and dry it
- Make the final cuts and adjustments to the handle
- Polish the handle
- Or just work on metal one
I was impressed by Mr. Perko’s positive attitude and passion for iron and steel art, not to mention his contagious smile with a great sense of humour.
While mastering his specialty over the years he’s finally working full time as a blacksmith- creating objects as blades, sculptures, tools, agricultural implements, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and practically anything you desire.
Not long ago his work and ‘sweat’ brought him customers from all over the Europe, so he has decided to teach and share his skills with all the metal enthusiasts. Now anyone can come out and try the blacksmithing experience.
You will learn how to work with the fire and steel, master the hammer before the hammer masters you. If I could do it with my kilos anybody can, right? Nothing to worry about, the secret lies within the right approach and the technique of hammering- It’s not about the punch.
If you believe in a value of making items of quality, want to learn something new, would like to try great Slovenian authentic food, forge your own superior unique blade and get an unforgettable story,
there is so much to do at the Emberborn, I can guarantee ‘a whale of time’ on your visit. I felt inspired almost on top of the world.
I don’t think my story with Mr. Lenhart Perko ends here. Let’s make the next project more complex and exquisite shall we? He did mention he makes the products coming to life in our hands. How about something for J.R.R.Tolkien’s enthusiasts? Maybe a sword?
Behind the scene
photo contributorship: Mr. Mark Uzar, Mr. Lenart Perko, Mr. Boštjana Volk