12/27/2011 - Hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since I’ve updated this journal. This past year has also seen it’s share of ups and downs but things are going well and I’m about finished with all the items from the old queue. There are only a few projects left and by the first of the year they should be nearly completed!!! Once again I’m looking forward to the Tampa Sword Show. It’s been a hard year and I can’t wait to spend some time with good friends and just talk swords. Photographer Chris Yoon came out this past month and took pictures of me working for an art book he’s putting together. Look forward to seeing the book but he just sent me some of the photos he took so I figured I’d share. :)

1/1/2011 - The Tampa Sword Show is fast approaching and I’m looking forward to it very much. It’s looks as though my friends Rick Barrett and Josiah Boomershine might be able to make the trip down from Indiana for the show this year and that is GREAT news. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the seminar at Rick’s place this year so it’ll be a great opportunity to catch up, relax and have some fun. This year my friend David Price and my cousin Justin will also be joining me at the show. Justin has recently moved onto the “compound”(as we jokingly call it) and has been hanging around with me in the studio as I work. He’s expressed an interest in swords and polishing and it’s given me renewed enthusiasm having him around. It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds in that respect. That’s about all for now. Happy New Year everyone!! -Chris

11/18/2010 - Hello everyone, it’s once again been a very long time since the last update, but the past year has been a rough one for our family. As many of you already know, my grandfather passed away over the summer after a battle with Parkinson’s. I’d like to thank all of you for the kind words, prayers and patience during that time. Since then Sandra, Ridley and I have moved from our previous home at the far end of the property to my grandfather’s house which is right next to my studio. It’s been somewhat bittersweet living here as all the memories are still very fresh, but it’s also nice being able to walk out the front door and into the shop. After the hardships of the past year, I’m looking forward to a new one with a fresh beginning. The new Tampa Sword Show will be coming up soon and I’m excited to spend some time looking at swords and seeing friends. -Chris

3/18/2010 - As usual I haven’t updated the site as often as I would’ve liked. As it is, life conspires it seems to unravel our best plans and intentions. My grandfather’s health continues to deteriorate and he was put on hospice care about three weeks ago. We have done all we can to keep him at home throughout his illness so he can be as comfortable as possible and in his own bed. Unfortunately, doing so has slowed me down considerably. Once again, to all those waiting, please continue to be patient. I know recent events in our small community have made some a little more cynical lately, and as such, less likely to be patient. Having said that, please keep in mind, I’m not going anywhere! I’m only a phone call away and open for communication any time, so please don’t hesitate to give a call for any reason.

Last week my main togidai started leaking again. It’s becoming a constant problem, so I’m just going to build another the way I originally intended when we built the new studio(All I need, something else to slow me down). :-) My brother has a friend who sold me a load of Cypress lumber for next to nothing, so it seems everything was for the best and all in the right time. We plan to contruct it over next weekend and it will be rather large, occupying the entire room where my current upright, leaky togidai now resides. I’ll try and update the site as soon as I can with pictures of the new togi heya.

12/14/2009 - Been a while since the last update and there’s been a lot going on. For one, satellite internet is terrible. :) That’s partly to blame for my lack of updates on the site. It’s just so slow to upload anything that I avoid it if I don’t absolutely need to. I’ve just switched to cellular broadband and surfing is much faster, so we’ll see when I’m done with today’s update how well that works out for uploads.

The “for sale” section continues to exceed my expectations and many swords have sold recently. The only sword still available as of today is the koto nagamaki. I’m quite surprised, I thought it would go long before some others, especially at it’s price point and being in full polish.

As for what’s been happening on my front, my grandfather’s health has taken a downturn as of my return from Rick’s seminar and he’s been totally bedridden since then, so I’ve been slowed down somewhat on my work lately. Many of you know my situation and I’d like to say thank you for your understanding during this time. I had hoped to be finished with my on hand work within three months time, but with these recent changes, that isn’t going to happen. I’m still plugging away and right now I think there are still seven swords left and hopefully I’ll have them all wrapped up shortly after the first of the year. After that I can begin work on those who are on my new list, which is the way I will be accepting all new commisions for polishing work from this point forward. From now on I’ll simply add clients to a list and contact them when it’s their turn in line and no money or swords will be accepted up front any longer. This will be a huge stress reliever for me and will cut back a great deal(I hope) on the ever constant “status/update” emails.

9/20/2009 - New swords added to the “For Sale” section!

Just returned last week from Rick Barrett’s seminar. I have to say that this year was the best so far. We had the great honor of having Japanese sword smith Enomoto Sadahito come from Japan to share with us for this event. It was truely a pleasure to watch and learn from Sadahitosan.

My trip started at 3am on Thursday morning after having spent the entire previous day and most of the night polishing on a blade that had to go with me. After finishing that and packing my things at the shop and home, then it was time to hit the road for Atlanta to my friend Dave Price’s house. We both made the long drive to Indiana together from there. After arriving we went straight to Rick’s house to see what was going on and found that Sadahitosan was already claying up a short blade to heat-treat just as soon as the sun finished setting. The seminar hadn’t even officially started yet, so for those who had arrived early, this was a treat. After watching Sadahitosan perform yaki-ire and several hours of talking we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest. I must say I felt like a zombie after two days without sleep, so I was out before my head hit the pillow.

The next morning, which came very early after only about four hours sleep, we headed back to Rick’s for the seminar to begin. Sadahitosan and Rick started the day with discussion and demonstration of forging as Sadahitosan forged out a tanto while Rick explained to everyone the process and exactly what was being done. Randy Black also began demonstrating tsuka contruction and tsukamaki, which was an ongoing demo for the rest of the day with all of us checking back and gathering around at each important step in the process. A while later Sadahitosan demonstrated use of the chisel for engraving mei(signature), which was very fun. Everyone who wanted got to give it a try. After that was clay application, where all of the attendees were instructed in the proper application of clay to their blades. That evening we had some delicious steak and then, as soon as night fell, Rick fired up the forge to begin yaki-ire on the blades that everyone had clayed up before dinner. Another late night as usual and back to the hotel for a few more hours rest.

Saturday it was my turn, and I began a polishing demo that lasted most of the day with people checking in at randon off and on until the tanto was completed just in time for dinner. :)  Sadahitosan demonstrated the carving of hi on a tanto throughout most of the day and it was truely incredible to watch. I was never aware just how easily steel could peel away with the right tools. After another terrific dinner, Randy Black, who holds dan rankings in both Iaido and Katori Shinto Ryu, demonstrated some kata from both styles. The kata were absolutely amazing and it was very cool to see the differences between the two styles. After that, Randy gave instruction on proper cutting and all who wished were able to perform some cutting exercises under his supervision. Was a lot of fun! More blades were of course clayed up during the course of the day and once again, after sunset, it was time to go back to the forge and watch some more heat-treating. Later in the evening Kevin Cashen and I both broke out our pipes, had a good smoke and just enjoyed the cool evening while I picked his brain and learned a thing or three as usual.

Sunday was mostly spent shaping the blades that had been heat-treated the two previous days. Sadahitosan and Rick both showed how they perform yasurime as everyone’s blades were finished off and Josiah demonstrated habaki making. Later in the evening, Josiah(Rick’s apprentice) had us over to his family’s house for a wonderful meal, mostly preparred from fresh foods grown on their land. We took a stroll with Sadahitosan around the property and it was a very relaxing and enjoyable evening.

David and I left out at around 6am Monday morning to return home. As usual the weekend went by far to fast and it was a bit sad saying goodbye to my dear friends again with another years seminar coming to it’s end. See you all next year! -Chris

• From Left to right: Chris Osborne, Enomoto Sadahito, Rick Barrett, Josiah Boomershine, Randy Black.

For more pictures from this years seminar click here.

Just took this picture of my little girl and though it was adorable.

8/11/2009 - Several new swords have been added to the “For Sale” section. Surprisingly sword sales seem to be picking up and the sale section has kept me quite busy lately. Maybe the economy is improving. We shall see I guess.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks after returning to a normal routine. I’m finally getting settled in and have finished making the final adjustments to get things to work for me in the new place and I expect to have several blades completed within the next 2-3 weeks. So, for those still waiting patiently for swords that were put on hold when construction began, please bear with me just a while longer and your patience will be rewarded.

Can’t believe it’s only a month until Rick’s seminar. I have much to do between now and then and I’m really looking forward to going and having a chance to relax and talk swords with some friends and maybe make a few new ones.

Looks as though I’m going to have to pass on Dragon Con this year unfotunately. I haven’t missed one in the last seven years, but this year is proving to be too busy. Really wanted to see Leonard Nimoy and Patrick Stewart, bummer. : -Chris

7/25/2009 - “For Sale” section updated with new swords!

7/25/2009 - It’s been a long month, but construction on my new studio is now complete and I have finished moving everything over from the old shop.

Lots of pictures here. Thanks to all who have been patient with me through this process. It will be well worth it to both myself and clients as this new environment is much better suited for polishing than the old shop.  -Chris

7/05/2009 - Howard Clark bare blade has been re-listed for sale!!

7/04/2009 -  It’s been a busy week and there is much to be excited about. After speaking with my friend Jon Bowhay this past Friday, I’m very excited about a possible business venture in the coming months. Jon is to return to Japan soon and if all goes as planned, I will be listing many fine antique Nihonto on my site in the near future. Our plan is to utilize Jon’s expertise from a lifetime in the sword world and many years as a polisher to offer fine swords that will be a bargain for collectors. Our main goal is to offer swords that will fill a niche in being affordable, yet avoiding simply offering to western collectors what would not sell in Japan.

I will also be coordinating polishing services for Jon for your fine antique swords. For those who may not know, Jon is a traditionally trained polisher in the Hon’ami tradition. I hope to have a section for Jon on my site in the near future with examples of his work.

Work continues on the new studio. If the rain will hold off this coming week I’m told it should be finished by weeks end. Here are some pictures of the progress so far.  -Chris

6/30/2009 - Construction started on my new studio this past week and progress has been good. The framing, exterior and interior walls and electrical are all completed. This week will be spent doing the plumbing and finishing out the interior. Will probably start moving everything in this coming weekend or early next week IF all goes as planned. I’ll probably be posting some progress pics in the weeks to come

The new “For Sale” section has been doing quite well. Everything I listed a little over two weeks ago was sold by this past weekend, just haven’t had the time to update yet. Will have a nice, fully mounted Anthony DiCristopano 1050 katana to list in the next couple of weeks when the polish is completed, so be sure to check back for that. - Chris

6/16/2009 - I have to say that the new site and journal haven’t quite worked out as I had originally planned. My terrible satellite internet connection has caused nothing but trouble and as such, I’ve been unable to update things for some time. Thankfully I’ve gotten a few things sorted out and I should now be able to update the site easily and on a regular basis. So for those who’ve checked the site regularly wondering why there hasn’t been anything new that’s why, and I’m very sorry. With things working better now there should be fresh material posted regularly, especially in the new “For Sale” section which is now up with items listed.

So how can I sum up the last several months? Well, busy is about the only word that comes to mind. Even with the economy as it is and sword sales down in general, blades continue to come in faster than I can get them out, which is amounting to an ever increasing backlog. That seems to be both good and bad. Good in that I have plenty of work, bad in that my wait times are stretching out to about nine months, and I suspect if things continue at this present pace, will be at around a year or more by fall.

Another problem I’ve encountered with my increasing backlog has been an underestimation on completion times, which has plagued me for about the last year or so. At present I have about eight swords that for whatever reason have all reached their estimated time of completion at roughly the same time. If yours is one of these, please be patient. Understand that it’s just me doing the work and I can do only one blade at a time unfortunately. I’m terribly sorry certain projects are taking longer than anticipated, but estimating completion times this far in advance is at best only a guess, and for me this past year, hasn’t been very accurate.

From this point forward I’m likely going to institute a new policy of having no more than five swords on hand at any time. I will start a list and customers can hold on to their sword and money until it’s approaching time to start their project. This way you can enjoy your sword instead of it sitting on a rack in my studio for many months while you wait, wonder and grow increasingly anxious.

I’ve found that having so many peoples swords in my shop and the frequent, continued requests for “updates on progress” that this inevitably causes, does nothing more than put an enormous amount of stress on me, so I think this will be the best all around solution.

On a more positive note, our beautiful little girl Ridley turned one just this past Tuesday and we had a terrific time celebrating her birthday with all of our family. Also, construction on my new studio will begin in about another month or so and I’ll be updating the site with pictures of the progress from start to finish, so be sure to check back for that.

Oh, and how can I forget the Blade Show. Blade this year was slower than in the past few years, which I kinda expected, but was a great chance to relax and hang out with my friends. Rick Barrett, Josiah Boomershine(Rick’s apprentice), Tim Horan and myself all shared a room and table this year and had a blast.

Saturday we set up the table and I was very excited and honored to have Rick display my work on his personal sword, which was the centerpiece of the table this year. It got plenty of attention, all positive, so we were both quite happy about that; however, keeping the drool wiped off was a full time job for most of the weekend. :)

Around lunch time Walter Sorrells and his son Jake made it by the table and hung out with us for a bit. I was able to show Walter some of my recent work and we talked swords for a bit with Rick and Josiah. Jake had a base ball tournament going all weekend so they weren’t able to stay for very long, but it was great to get together and I’m glad they were able to stop by.

Later in the day I met Mr. Rich Chen. For those who might be familiar, Rich had a popular and informative thread going on SFI not so long ago showing the making of a katana from the smelting of the steel all the way to final grinding. I think his work hasn’t gotten the attention that it deserves mostly because the finishing hasn’t been top notch on most of his pieces. That said, overlooking the polish, the steel itself is absolutely gorgeous and I’m excited to be working on nine tamahagane knives he sent home with me to polish up for him and sell on my site. These were designed as more of a utility type knife and will be mounted in a western style as they have a narrower nakago than would be suitable for traditional Japanese style mounts, however they are made from tamahagane and with hamon. Rich also made me a beautiful, traditional calligraphy on bamboo paper that will go wonderfully in my new studio. Rich is really a first class guy, and I look forward to future collaborations with him.

Later in the evening we met up with my Ninkage ryu friends Sabutai Musashi sensei, Stephan Fowler, Mel and KC at Sushi Mio. We were joined by Kevin Cashen and his lovely wife and had a wonderful dinner. Have to say that Sushi Mio is one of the best Sushi restaurants ever. If you’re ever in Atlanta, check it out.

Saturday night “The Pit” was, as the rest of the show, a bit slow, but I did get to meet up with my friend David Stokes and chat for a while. Learned a bit about tactical folders, which I admit I know less than nothing about. I did however spend most of the weekend gawking at one Tim Horan brought, which just happened to be the first he’s ever made. Personally I thought it was the only knife of it’s type in the room that appealed to me, and I guess I wasn’t the only one, as a company asked him about putting it into production. Hey, not bad for your first tactical folder huh? Tim has graciously agreed to make one for me, so I’m really looking forward to that. Anyway, another Blade Show over and now it’s back to work.  -Chris

1/15/2009 - This past weekend I had the great honor of attending classes with Sabutai Musashi Sensei. He teaches a martial arts style called Ninkage ryu, which combines weapons and empty hand training in a way that is both very traditional and “real world” applicable at the same time. There is a heavy focus on the sword, which I enjoyed very much.

Classes are held in the Atlanta area and fortunately two of the senior students(KC and Tonnoko) were kind enough to welcome me into their home for the weekend as it is about a two hour drive for me. Training on Saturday was a terrific experience to be followed up by a fabulous dinner that evening prepared by KC.

After dinner we all headed up to Ackworth to watch Stephan Fowler(a senior students and blade smith) heat treat his first katana length blade, which turned out successfully.

Sunday we all examined swords which I brought from the studio and then finished off class with some sword training. All in all it was a terrific weekend and I was pleased to hear that I would be welcome in class whenever I can make it up. I definitely plan on doing just that.

On Monday I had the great pleasure of having blade smith Stephan Fowler stop by the studio on his way back from Augusta. We spent some time looking at blades, going over a little about polishing, and then relaxing to a good pipe on the porch. -Chris