Mastersmith designation question...

[Shimmer]

I apologize as I probably placed this in the incorrect forum but does anyone know if there exists an equivalent of Master Designation in countries such as Japan, Germany, Sweden, etc. ?

How are bladesmiths deemed as mastersmiths in Japan for example?

I have found a list of all American Bladesmith Society mastersmiths here:
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=users&subsection=list_user&fk_group_id=5&next=1

I am wondering if there is any international equivalent to this certification elsewhere?

 

[JBroida]

in japan there are certifications, qualifications, and associations, but in general, its a pretty small world and its clear who's who and who is good

 

[Shimmer]

in japan there are certifications, qualifications, and associations, but in general, its a pretty small world and its clear who's who and who is good

Are there any websites?

I'm wondering as to which smiths Nenohi is contracting out to?

 

[bigboybrent]

how small is it? Are we talking like 10 people or 50 people? Can you give a list of the top 10 or so? or the top smiths in your opinion Thanks Jon!

 

[JBroida]

how small is it? Are we talking like 10 people or 50 people? Can you give a list of the top 10 or so? or the top smiths in your opinion Thanks Jon!

not without getting myself into trouble

 

[Andrew H]

not without getting myself into trouble

Hahahaha

 

[Salty dog]

Just order a Nenohi from a dististributor like Korin. In my opinion they produce the best example of classic Japanese cutlery. Period. I have to say "period" one more time.

 

[l r harner]

The ABS is world wide but not all makers join the ABS so the rating is only for forging smiths

 

[Bill T]

And not all forging smiths join the ABS . And just because you don't join the ABS , it doesn't mean you don't know what you're doing at the forge .

I'm being trained by a Master Smith in the ABS , but I have NO intention of joining them .​

​

 

[l r harner]

And not all forging smiths join the ABS . And just because you don't join the ABS , it doesn't mean you don't know what you're doing at the forge .

I'm being trained by a Master Smith in the ABS , but I have NO intention of joining them .​

​

thatsn right to Bill

 

[DevinT]

I set out to become a master smith, but because I forge stainless they would not let me. They put me on the agenda of several board meetings. It's actually in the bylaws that they do not allow the forging of stainless steels to pass the testing.

I did pass the testing a couple of times in my own shop with a blade made from 440-C stainless. When I looked for a master smith that would test me it caused a big mess.

They did finally tell me that I could change the bylaws by taking my equipment to several ABS events and demonstrate and then they would reconsider.

They never did act like they wanted me in their organization.

I find it ironic that I have forged more steel in one month then Bill Moran did in his entire life time.

They do have a certain mold that they want everyone to fit into.

I do think that they do a lot to promote knives and knife making. It is because of them that everyone is testing knives and learning about steels and metallurgy.

Custom knives were not selling well in the 80's and it is because of the ABS and the excitement over damascus and the forged blade that renewed/revived custom knives.

I will one day try again to become a master smith. They will need to let me test in stainless though.

In the 70's there was a pissing match between the ABS headed by Bill Moran and the Knife makers Guild headed by Bob Loveless. There was a definate seperation between those who forged and those who made knives by the stock removal methed. I am glad that that is over.

Love and respect

Hoss

 

[Dave Martell]

One thing that's been real cool about the kitchen knife community is that we've always based our likes and dislikes on performance - period.

Noting a maker's worth should be based on what he provides, not what's stamped on his knife. I mean do disrespect to the ABS members (I truly understand what they go through to get these stamps) but I also know some that don't make quality knives as well as I know some great knifemakers who have elected not to pursue the ABS way who make stellar knives.

Something worth noting (Oivind touched on this a bit) is that we have a lot of (new to kitchen knives) knifemakers showing up on the forums these days, this is something very new to us who have been in this game for awhile. It appears that the US makers are finally seeing that making kitchen knives is something worth pursuing. While I encourage this, just like I encouraged the Japanese movement years ago, I also don't want to see a bunch of crap knives flood in. I can attest that every knifemaker that has a sub-forum here at KKF is either well established or is headed down the right path to becoming a great kitchen knifemaker.

 

[Cadillac J]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the ABS certification have nothing specifically to do with kitchen knives anyway? Yes, it definitely shows great skill of the maker given the certain criteria and tasks their blades need to perform...but I can't see how that automatically qualifies them as the best kitchen knife makers in the world in your eyes? Not saying some of them aren't...but maybe you are over generalizing a bit.

Definitely don't want to down-play what it takes to be part of ABS, as it is a very prestigious designation and hard to achieve...but that does not mean that a maker who hasn't chosen to take the test can't make an equal or better kitchen knife.

 

[mikemac]

in japan there are certifications, qualifications, and associations, but in general, its a pretty small world and its clear who's who and who is good

Jon - Isn't there a certification or 'acknowledgement' in Japan given to craftsmen who are both skilled in and committed to an artisinal craft or process?

 

[UglyJoe]

Jon - Isn't there a certification or 'acknowledgement' in Japan given to craftsmen who are both skilled in and committed to an artisinal craft or process?

There's the "living national treasure" and "national treasure" designations, amongst other things. But that's tied up with the government and (correct me if I'm wrong) there is no way to "apply" for these things; they are given out of recognition of accomplishment, not by passing a test.

 

[mikemac]

....they are given out of recognition of accomplishment, not by passing a test.

Kind of what I thought, if thats correct (come on Jon...), but isn't that accomplishment a form of a test?

 

[Noodle Soup]

But the ABS's Mastersmith test has, chopping on 2X4's etc, has nothing to do with good kitchen knives. The primary goal of the ABS is to promote their members over any and all other organizations. Simply proving a stainless or stock removal blade is superior to their member's blades will not impress them. After all, what most really want to do is sell $2000 plus "collectables" to people that will never use them anyway. One of their members actually went on another forum and stated anything under $1500 was what he considered a "low end" knife.

 

[JBroida]

Jon - Isn't there a certification or 'acknowledgement' in Japan given to craftsmen who are both skilled in and committed to an artisinal craft or process?

are you talking about the living national treasure? This is more political than anything else and you see it more with things like pottery, sword making, lacquer ware, etc.

 

[Shimmer]

I managed to locate the websites for the German, Australian, and British ABS equivalents, so that question has been answered.

As far as Japanese national living treasures:

MetalworkingName Born Category Subcategory Year Designated
Iraku Uozumi III (三代魚住為楽?) 1937 Metalworking Dora 2002
Mitsuo Masuda (増田三男?) 1909 Metalworking Chōkin 1991
Mamoru Nakagawa (中川衛?) 1947 Metalworking Chōkin 2004
Morihito Katsura (桂盛仁?) 1944 Metalworking Chōkin 2008
Akira Saitō (斎藤明?) 1920 Metalworking Chūkin 1993
Kōmin Ōzawa (大澤光民?) 1941 Metalworking Chūkin 2005
Hōseki Okuyama (奥山峰石?) 1937 Metalworking Hammering 1995
Toshichika Taguchi (田口寿恒?) 1940 Metalworking Hammering 2006
Akitsugu Amata (天田昭次?) 1927 Metalworking Swordmaking (Nihonto) 1997
Toshihira Ōsumi (大隅俊平?) 1932 Metalworking Swordmaking (Nihonto) 1997
Kōkan Nagayama (永山光幹?) 1920 Metalworking Swordmaking (Finishing) 1998

 

[Rottman]

Jon, what about that title "meister" (German for master) that is used on many sites about Japanese bladesmiths?

 

[Jim]

Gentleman,
Several off topic and frankly, rude posts have been removed from this thread.

This unfortunately is the first time this has happened here at the KKF and it's quite disappointing. Everyone whom is a member here is encouraged to express there thoughts and opines, however, please respect that other members while disagreeing with you also have that privilege and they are welcome to it.

If you wish to discuss this further please contact me via PM .

 

[Eamon Burke]

Hey Jim, just a little input here, but I thought my browser was broken! Could you leave a little tag in there when you delete a post? I re loaded this thread many times in confusion. Maybe just a note saying "Keep it classy, KKF" or something, lol.



I think that the ABS is about exactly what Bill Moran wanted it to be about--preserving the old way of doing things. That's great! But it's not a performance-oriented goal. I being able to forge steel the old way should be preserved, but I don't think it's a market-worthy topic outside of collectables/special interests. The same goes with the National Treasure designations. It's great to hear that there are still guys who know how to forge a world-class Katana from sand, and there are people willing to pay to support the art/knowledge. But I don't need the ABS to tell me when a knife is kicking ass in my kitchen.

I, too, am really happy with Devin that any animosity between stock removal and forging guys is not so incensed these days. I was very pleased with the thread about it a few weeks back and everyone agreed that it's "to each their own" when it comes to making good knives--honest labelling and the final product is all that matters!

 

[JBroida]

Jon, what about that title "meister" (German for master) that is used on many sites about Japanese bladesmiths?

i think its just marketing for the most part... i know some of the knife makers who they are referring to and some have no titles or certifications at all... they just had a good master (teacher) and make good knives