The History of Mokume-gane

Mokume-gane was first developed in Japan about 300 years ago to reproduce the grain found in the steel used in the famous swords of that time. The material was used for tsuba (sword guards) and holloware and was produced by welding sheets of low alloy coppers into a single block.

(Fast forward 300 years to New York late 19th Century). Japanese design was very popular at this time and Tiffany's of New York copied the Japanese mokume-gane by soldering copper alloys and silver together to form a single billit, using the metals to make highly decorative holloware. Very few of these works survive, indicating custom production.

(Fast forward to USA, mid-1970's). Interest in historic methods of knifemaking, especially damascus steel, was at an all time high. Research at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale was combined with traditional Japanese methods to produce the basis of contemporary diffusion welded mokume-gane, a material superior to both the traditional Japanese metal and the soldered material of Tiffany's. Shining Wave Metals is the leading producer of mokume-gane and we are proud to offer this line of exotic metals for your use and enjoyment.