For my Japanese pieces I use low-contrasting simple steels, between 1000-2500 layers depending on the pattern.  I am constantly studying both written texts and antique blades whenever I can get my hands upon them.  I prefer to make fuller-bodied and robust blades, rather than smaller blades that mimic the appearance of "tired" antiques.

My goal in hamon and layering pattern choices is to have as close a Japanese look as possible.  This may sound like a redundant comment, but many smiths I know tend to have a "signature" style in their blades.  This makes it easy for a studied eye to pick out a particular smith's work.  While this is unavoidable, I want my "look" to be as close to a true Japanese appearance as possible.  Because of this, I attempt to create folding patterns that mimic the Japanese styles as closely as possible, and tend to only put the appropriate style hamon, on these blades, that are proper to each hada pattern.

While I am capable of mounting and polishing my own blades, I prefer to send my Japanese style blades out to specialists.  This was historically done in both Japan and all over Europe, and I see no reason to break with that tradition.  It allows me to focus on improving my blades and my part of the craft.

The standard finished for unpolished blades is Binsui-do (second foundation stone).  This allows me to set all of the geometry and prepare the blade for the polisher and habaki.  I will also fabricate a copper habaki for each blade at customer request.