Soulsmithing 3: adventures in hitech/lotech - laying forge bricks

Laying bricks for the swordsmithing forge at Pierre Nadeau’s workshop. Pierre spent several years working as a swordsmith apprentice in rural Japan and is ready to continue his research into traditional Japanese swords and historical crafting techniques in Canada.

Soulsmithing channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Soulsmithing
An interview of Pierre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKymP1QF4M

The three major projects during this visit were focused on getting the forge itself ready for use. In this episode, insulating and laying bricks for the forge.

During the long cold Quebec winters, the ground can become very cold and tanren could become difficult or impossible with an earth-grounded forge. Pierre’s solution to combat cold and moisture is to enclose the forge in a concrete box, insulate inside the box with ceramic fiber, pour a castable refractory floor, and then install the hard firebrick walls inside. The bricks came from a former pottery kiln in the area and have lovely wabisabi textures and colours that record past projects from their earlier use. A blend of sand, refractory cement, and clay seals off the fuigo manifold pipe and the tuyere within the brick opening.

This series is a compilation of what footage I was able to collect while both of us worked morning ’til night but gives a good idea of what went on and will offer some valuable details for astute observers.

Pierre also specializes in making hempcrete mixers and custom wood-fired ovens on the side, the pizza was so good that unfortunately there is no footage!

http://soulsmithing.com