Category Archives: Media

Media, Videos

Michael and Gabriel Bell appearance on Science Channel’s Built By Hand

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Michael and Gabriel Bell, instructors of Dragonfly Mountain Japanese Sword Forging School and father-son swordsmiths were featured a while back on the Science Channel’s TV show “Built by Hand”. The same documentary series earlier aired in the UK and elsewhere under the name “History in the Making”.

Each episode features the re-creation of three items: a tool, a weapon, a machine or an item of historical importance by expert craftsmen. It is a fascinating glimpse into historical crafts and the dedicated people continuing them in the modern world. We are proud to be featured alongside expert craftsmen of so many diverse backgrounds.

Viewers in the USA can watch our episode of Built by Hand, Episode 4: Secrets of the Samurai Sword, online at the Science Channel website.

Media, News, Videos

Gabriel and Michael Bell appear on History in the Making

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Dragonfly Forge is excited to announce our recent appearance on the documentary series History in the Making, which recently aired in the United Kingdom on the Quest TV Channel. We are proud to be featured alongside expert craftsmen of so many diverse backgrounds.

Each episode features the re-creation of three items: a tool, a weapon, a machine or an item of historical importance by expert craftsmen. It is a fascinating glimpse into historical crafts and the dedicated people continuing them in the modern world.

Viewers in the UK can watch our episode of History in the Making, Episode 4: Katana, Daguerreotype, Electric Guitar, on the Quest TV Channel website. It may also be airing in other parts of Europe, but we are unaware as to the specifics. Hopefully, the series will also air in North America in the near future.

In the meantime, one can watch the show’s trailer on the website of the content creator, Crook Horse Productions. If you watch closely enough, you can spot our sword!

Articles

“I have discovered the secret of sword-smithing: hard work.” – A student’s Journal during their time at Tomboyama.

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Marcus Ranum, who attended our Basic Forging Course last October, shared his experience as a student at Tomboyama through a day-by-day journal of the class.

Dragonfly Forge trip report – main page

His descriptions and photos provide an excellent peek at the 5-day swordsmithing processes taught at Dragonfly Forge to transform a section of wire rope into a wakizashi, a Japanese-style short sword. He also touches upon the frustrations and triumphs of learning completely new skills. Marcus also shares the secret to swordsmithing: hard work.

Thank you Marcus for documenting your time with us and sharing it.

News, Videos

Gabriel Bell Returns to HISTORY Channel’s “Forged In Fire” Season 3

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Tomboyama is proud to announce that it’s very own assistant swordsmithing instructor, Gabriel Bell, will be competing in the upcoming season finale of History Channel’s hit show Forged in Fire. Forged in Fire Season 3 Episode 16 will air on Tuesday, February 14th 7pm EST on History Channel. The episode titled “Redemption” will be Gabriel’s second appearance on the show.

http://www.history.com/shows/forged-in-fire/season-3/episode-16

Forged in Fire has been a hit show for History Channel and continues to set viewership records. Its popularity got it renewed for a fourth season and is great indicator of the growing enthusiasm in the techniques and traditions of swordsmithing.

We invite our dear alumni, friends and family to tune in and join us as we cheer him on. If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, Gabriel is hosting a live episode viewing party that night (Februrary 14th) at Shut Up And Eat restaurant on SE Gladstone. Food and Drinks are available. And yes, kids are welcome! Best of luck Gabe!