I have been collecting Japanese swords for fifteen (15) years and doing my own restoration
work on them.  I have been doing restoration work for others the last six years including:
Troy Baxley (President of the Florida Token Kia); Bob Elder (Owner of East Coast Martial
Arts Supplies Inc.); Bob Elder (Sensei) and his students of Toyama Batto Jutsu/ US Batto
Federation sword class; Martial Arts people throughout the United States; Don Fogg
(swordsmith in Alabama).

I 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 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.
At home in Palatka, Florida;