What led Murray Carter to discover bladesmithing in Japan?

After dislocating his knee during karate practice, Murray Carter was given a Japanese language textbook. While recovering, he remembered encountering an intriguing knife shop earlier in his trip. His newfound language skills opened the door for deeper conversations, leading him to pursue bladesmithing.

How did Murray Carter manage to complete four years of Japanese language study in 12 months?

Murray enrolled in 200-level classes while simultaneously completing 100-level coursework. He then took intensive 300-level and 400-level classes during the spring and summer sessions, driven by a newfound passion and confidence in his ability to learn a foreign language.

What is the philosophical difference between Western and Japanese cutlery?

Western cutlery emphasizes durability, strength, and robustness, often resulting in sharpened tools. Japanese blades, in contrast, prioritize cutting performance above all else, designed as precision cutting implements.

What is forge welding and why is it important in Japanese bladesmithing?

Forge welding is the oldest form of welding, where two metals are heated until their surface molecules liquify and then pressed together to fuse. It's crucial for creating laminated Japanese blades, which combine hard steel for a sharp edge with soft steel for toughness and shock absorption.

What is grain refinement in steel forging?

Grain refinement involves repeatedly heating steel to a plastic state and hammering it as it cools. This process refines the grain structure of the steel, leading to a finer, higher-performing blade because the increased grain boundaries enhance strength.

What qualities does Murray Carter look for when hiring potential bladesmiths?

Murray Carter looks for two main qualities: aptitude (the ability to acquire and use new skills) and attitude (willingness to learn, humility, persistence, and ability to work in a team). He believes the best way to assess these is by observing candidates in the actual work environment.

What is Murray Carter's opinion on 'Granton edge' dimples on knives?

Murray Carter generally dislikes Granton edges, which are scalloped depressions on the blade. He considers them an indication that the blade is too thick, compromising cutting performance, and also potentially unsanitary by providing places for bacteria and food particles to hide.

What is a core Japanese saying or mantra that Murray Carter lives by?

A favorite saying for Murray Carter is "isaba maare," meaning 'when you feel yourself in a great hurry, that's the time to take a moment and regroup.' He also strongly believes in 'stick to the plan' and 'concentrate on the task at hand,' emphasizing discipline and persistence over constantly seeking new approaches.

What is Murray Carter's essential advice for maintaining a kitchen knife's sharpness?

He advises preventing the cutting edge from touching anything other than food. This means not dropping it in the sink, letting it hit other plates or pans, or mixing it with other silverware in a drawer. This habit will significantly prolong the knife's sharpness.

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Murray Carter Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Bladesmith Murray Carter on mastering Japanese craft, language, and finding purpose.

Key Insights

Murray Carter details his journey from Nova Scotia to becoming a 16th-generation bladesmith in Japan.

Learning Japanese was crucial for deeper cultural immersion and opening doors to new opportunities.

Japanese bladesmith traditional emphasis on precision cutting performance over durability.

The process involves laminate construction, forge welding, and meticulous heat treatment for grain refinement.

Carter emphasizes that teaching involves guiding students to observe and trust their senses.

Successful bladesmiths possess both aptitude and a humble, tenacious, team-oriented attitude.

EARLY FASCINATION AND THE CALL OF JAPAN

Murray Carter's journey began in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a youthful fascination for martial arts, military history, and tools, particularly knives. At 15, attending a karate competition ignited a deep interest in Japanese culture. This led him to enroll in a karate dojo, setting the stage for his eventual move to Japan. By eighteen, he was on his way to Japan, intending to continue his karate studies, unaware of the profound path that awaited him.

AN UNEXPECTED DETOUR AND THE GIFT OF LANGUAGE

An unfortunate knee injury during a karate practice in Japan led to a three-week cast and a period of immobility. His karate Sensei, Choyu, gifted him a Japanese language textbook. This unexpected turn became a pivotal moment, igniting a passion for the language. Carter realized that learning Japanese opened doors to deeper cultural understanding, friendships outside his immediate interest, and ultimately, possibilities he hadn't considered, including the craft of bladesmithing.

DISCOVERY OF BLADESMITING AND INTENSIVE STUDY

While exploring on a borrowed scooter in Japan, Carter stumbled upon a small shop displaying an astonishing array of knives. This encounter with intricate Japanese blades sparked his curiosity. After returning to North America, he pursued rigorous Japanese language studies, completing four years of academic coursework in just twelve months. This mastery of language allowed him to return to Japan and formally apprentice with bladesmith Sakamoto Sensei, a 16th-generation master.

THE ART AND PHILOSOPHY OF JAPANESE BLADESMITING

Japanese bladesmithing prioritizes precision cutting performance above all else, contrasting with Western blades often built for durability. This philosophy influences every step, from steel selection to forging and tempering. Carter explains that Japanese knives commonly utilize a laminate construction, combining hard steel for the edge with softer steel for toughness and shock absorption, embodying the 'have your cake and eat it too' principle.

FORGE WELDING AND GRAIN REFINEMENT TECHNIQUES

The creation of laminated blades relies on forge welding, an ancient technique of heating two metals until their molecules fuse. This process, distinct from melting, allows layers to maintain their inherent characteristics. Carter utilizes a solid fuel forge, burning purified coal (coke), to achieve the necessary temperatures. Crucially, hammering the steel during cooling refines its grain structure, a critical factor in achieving a superior cutting edge and blade performance.

TEACHING AND IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL IN BLADESMITHS

Carter now teaches bladesmithing workshops, focusing on developing students' observational skills and the ability to trust their senses – seeing if blades are straight, identifying trouble areas, and understanding how heat treatment affects the steel. When hiring, he looks for both aptitude and attitude: a willingness to learn, humility, tenacity, and teamwork. He believes the best way to assess these qualities is by placing candidates in a real work environment to observe their performance and potential for growth.

THOUGHTS ON JAPANESE SAYINGS AND TOOL MASTERY

Carter shares Japanese sayings that resonate with him, such as 'Isogaba Ma-ware' (when you feel rushed, pause and regroup) and 'Ishi no ue nimo san-nen' (perseverance, or sitting on a stone for three years). He emphasizes the Japanese principle of mastering one's tools, particularly knives. He advises users to protect their knives' edges by keeping them away from sinks, other utensils, and using them solely for their intended purpose, highlighting that proper care and sharpening are attainable skills.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Japanese Bladesmithing & Knife Care Quick Reference

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Dedicate yourself to learning new skills, especially languages, to open new doors and build confidence.

Embrace improvisation when traveling; don't over-plan.

Cultivate an aptitude and humble attitude for learning and teamwork in any craft.

For Japanese blades, prioritize thinness behind the primary edge for optimal cutting performance.

Keep kitchen knives from touching anything other than food to preserve their sharpness.

When feeling rushed, pause, regroup, and take a deep breath before making decisions.

Concentrate on the task at hand to avoid distractions and ensure completion of your plans.

Avoid This

Don't rely solely on interviews or resumes for hiring; observe candidates in the actual work environment.

Don't compromise blade thickness for Granton edges, as they indicate a blade is too thick for precision cutting.

Don't neglect knife hygiene; ensure blades are clean on all surfaces to prevent bacteria buildup.

Don't let knives clang around in the sink or drawer; this rapidly dulls the cutting edge.

Don't habitually abandon existing plans for new ones when faced with monotony or challenge.

Common Questions

Murray Carter grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and became interested in martial arts and military history. At 15, he attended a karate competition, which sparked his fascination with Japan and led him to enroll in a Karate Dojo.

Topics

Mindset & Self-Improvement Human Performance Learning & Education Japanese Culture Martial Arts Language Acquisition Knife Sharpening Personal Development

Mentioned in this video

Locations

Nova Scotia

The Canadian province where Murray Carter was raised and where his interest in martial arts and Japanese culture began.

Portland, Oregon

The current location of Murray Carter's bladesmithing business and where he resettled after his time in Japan.

Kumamoto Prefecture

A prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, where Murray Carter first traveled to continue his karate studies.

Kawashi

A place where Murray Carter was sent by Sakimoto Sensei to learn about forge welding, as it was their area of expertise.

Kyushu

One of the four main islands of Japan, where Kumamoto Prefecture is located.

Okinawa

The origin place of Shito-ryu karate.

Osaka

A city in Japan, near Sakai, where Murray Carter studied traditional Japanese fishmonger knives.

Sakai

A special place near Osaka specializing in traditional Japanese fishmonger knives.

Seki City, Japan

A city in Japan known for its cutlery industry, where Murray Carter learned about the financial aspects and marketing of the knife business.

Media

Jeremiah Johnson

A movie that inspired Murray Carter at a young age, contributing to his fascination for tools, knives, and weapons.

The Karate Kid

A movie mentioned as an example of traditional, strict apprenticeship models, which was contrasted with Murray Carter's experience with Sakimoto Sensei.

Kill Bill

A movie mentioned as an example of how revered samurai swords are in popular culture.

People

Steven Seagal

An American actor and martial artist, mentioned by Tim Ferriss in the context of Aikido and exaggerated knife thrusts.

Hiro Sooga

The dean of the Japanese Studies program at the University of British Columbia, who interviewed Murray Carter and authored most of the Japanese textbooks.

Matt Mullenweg

CEO of Automattic and lead developer of WordPress, who has a fascinating process for auditioning people for hiring.

Murray Carter

A master Japanese bladesmith, raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, who spent 18 years in Japan learning the craft and was declared an alien of extraordinary ability by the INS.

Yasuki Sakimoto

The bladesmith who Murray Carter apprenticed with for six years and who asked him to take over the family business as the 17th generation Yoshimoto bladesmith.

Companies

Wüsthof

A cutlery company known for its Japanese-style santoku shaped blades with Granton edges.

Oakland Athletics

A Major League Baseball team, referenced as an example of a 'Moneyball' approach to talent scouting and team building.

Automattic

The company led by Matt Mullenweg, known for its auditioning process for hiring.

Amazon

An e-commerce company, products from which are often opened with knives, prompting a discussion on proper knife care.

Carter Cutlery

Murray Carter's bladesmithing company, known for Japanese-style knives and active on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Books

Ivanhoe

A book Murray Carter was fascinated with as a child, liking its themes of knights, heroism, and fighting for a cause.

Moneyball

A book about the Oakland Athletics' analytical approach to baseball, used as an analogy for talent scouting in the context of hiring bladesmiths.

Bladesmithing with Murray Carter

The first of three instructional books authored by Murray Carter on general bladesmithing and traditional Japanese techniques.

Software & Apps

WordPress

A content management system, co-founded by Matt Mullenweg.

Headspace

A meditation app that Tim Ferriss uses frequently and recommends for guided meditations that help with stress reduction, improved sleep, and creativity.

Supplements

Lion's Mane

A type of mushroom included in For Sigmatic's coffee products, associated with cognitive enhancement.

Chaga

A type of mushroom included in For Sigmatic's coffee products, noted for its grounding and earthy qualities.

Concepts

Judo

A full-contact martial art that Tim Ferriss learned about and practiced in Japan, finding it similar to wrestling.

Kendo

A Japanese martial art that Tim Ferriss considered joining during his time in a Japanese high school.

Chito-ryu

A style of karate practiced by Murray Carter, characterized by a higher, more mobile stance compared to other traditional forms.

Shito-ryu

A more well-known version of karate from which Chito-ryu originates.

Granton edge

A type of knife edge with scalloped depressions designed to reduce sticking of high-moisture foods, though Murray Carter views it as indicative of a blade that is too thick.

Organizations

University of British Columbia

The university where Murray Carter studied Japanese for four years in 12 academic months.