My name is Wally Hostetter, I have been collecting Japanese swords for fifteen (18) years
and doing my own restoration work on them. I have been doing restoration work for others
the last eight years including: Troy Baxley (President of the Florida Token Kia); Bob Elder
(Owner of East Coast Martial Arts Supplies Inc.); and his students of Toyama Batto Jutsu/
US Batto Federation; also martial arts practitioners throughout the United States; and Don
Fogg (swordsmith in Alabama).
I also forge katana, wakizashi, tanto plus Naginata blades and make all the fittings and
poles used in these weapons. I have wrapped many tsuka and have done some intricate
patterns not seen everyday. On Saya's I have reproduced a lot of the old finishes and
techniques. I also practice Toyama Batto Jutsu, we have cut many rolled tatami/wara with
the swords, wakizashi and tanto I make.
and doing my own restoration work on them. I have been doing restoration work for others
the last eight years including: Troy Baxley (President of the Florida Token Kia); Bob Elder
(Owner of East Coast Martial Arts Supplies Inc.); and his students of Toyama Batto Jutsu/
US Batto Federation; also martial arts practitioners throughout the United States; and Don
Fogg (swordsmith in Alabama).
I also forge katana, wakizashi, tanto plus Naginata blades and make all the fittings and
poles used in these weapons. I have wrapped many tsuka and have done some intricate
patterns not seen everyday. On Saya's I have reproduced a lot of the old finishes and
techniques. I also practice Toyama Batto Jutsu, we have cut many rolled tatami/wara with
the swords, wakizashi and tanto I make.
This is an explanation of the process of some work I do;
A sword; The blade is rough forged; Then I take it and shape it with a sen, then scrape
and file it to shape; I polish it for heat treatment and apply clay; Then heat treat it; I put a
cutting polish on the blade; I then make the habaki and the seppa's; I make the tsuba and
then they are all fitted to the nakago; Then the saya is made and a finish is applied and I
put on all the buffalo horn fittings; I now make the tsuka and put on all the fittings (which I
make), apply the same and then do tsukamaki; I make sure everything fits together
properly and then I do the finish polish.
A sword; The blade is rough forged; Then I take it and shape it with a sen, then scrape
and file it to shape; I polish it for heat treatment and apply clay; Then heat treat it; I put a
cutting polish on the blade; I then make the habaki and the seppa's; I make the tsuba and
then they are all fitted to the nakago; Then the saya is made and a finish is applied and I
put on all the buffalo horn fittings; I now make the tsuka and put on all the fittings (which I
make), apply the same and then do tsukamaki; I make sure everything fits together
properly and then I do the finish polish.
At home in Palatka, Florida;
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
IIn the work shop