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Welcome
Welcome to Salamander Armoury
 Your interest in Salamander Armoury is greatly appreciated and we thank you for visiting. First a little background information on us, who we are, and what we do. Salamander Armoury is owned and operated by Jim Hrisoulas, a full time bladesmith with over 40 years experience in hand forging fine blades. All of the work pictured here on this site (and custom work as well) is 100% hand-crafted by Jim. From steel and material selection, to forging, heat treating, finishing and leather work, it is all done by hand with no mechanical set-ups or jigs. We feel this hand forging coupled with proper thermal treatment makes for a superior blade, one that will out perform any blade that is just ground out of a bar of steel.
Our Pattern-Welded and laminated steel blades (often mistakenly referred to as "Damascus") are all welded and built here, one at a time, forged from only the finest materials. Unlike a lot of other makers we do not use recyled leaf springs or any other material that we are not 100% certain as to what it is. No "Mystery Metal" is ever used. Pattern-Welding is the welding of dissimilar metals into a single blade. By stacking, bending, and folding this "Laminate" an unlimited number of patterns can be created. This process creates a blade, if done properly, which is much stronger and flexible than other blades. The techniques and methods used at Salamander Armoury have been used in dozens of cultures around the world for well over 15 centuries to create the finest One-Of-A-Kind blades fit for Royalty and Nobility.
Our Owner, Dr. Jim Hrisoulas has been referred to as one of the "Last of the Old School Bladesmiths" on numerous occasions in various publications world wide. It is a "title" that Jim takes seriously as he feels that although there is "always something new on the horizon" it is equally important to understand and preseve the "old ways" of doing things and we here are dedicated to both the old as well as the new.
We are now offering, in response to the multitudes of requests, a limited number of "Japanese Inspired" blades, so please look for these on our in stock pages. We have gathered some of the best materials and fittings from around the world for these blades from specialized sources. Real Samegawa and silk Ito for the tsuka, bronze or iron tsuba in varous themes and motifs. Blades are welded and finished by hand. We are sure you will be pleased.
Thank you for visiting.
JP Hrisoulas
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Created on 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated on 2009-02-25 10:24:32 by jhrisoulas
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Book IV Sword Listed on In Stock Pages
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 02/04/2010 13:44:54 (Read: ) |
Hello!
I just listed a sword prototype I made for my fourth book on my "In Stock" pages at the very bottom of the page. It is a very nice 1075 Katana set up for tamashigiri practise/research so please take a look.
I am getting close to the end of my "Japanese" series and well, I will be listing what I have left as I finish them and then there will be NO MORE...frankly I am getting tired of doing them but I needed to for the book so...
Anyway, take a look..I will be also posting another "Zombie Bane" that I am finishing up in the next day or two as well as several "just blades" as well...so please take a look from time to time....
JPH
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In Stock Pages are UP and updated
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 12/07/2009 14:10:18 (Read: ) |
Hello!!
The In Stock pages are now once again up and they are updated. Please take a look at what we have to offer.
Thank you for the interest and my best wishes for a festive Holiday Season!
JPH
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In Stock Pages will ne up again shortly
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 12/05/2009 18:46:40 (Read: ) |
Hello!!
Just an update..the in stock pages will be up again shortly so please check back and see what we have ready to go...
Thank you for the interest..
JPH
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Black Weekend Sale Update
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 11/28/2009 13:23:34 (Read: ) |
Hello:
I am sorry that I have to push back the sale hours until 1800 hrs this evening as I have too many photos to post..so to make up for this I am ectending the hours of the sale until 1200hrs (local Pacific time) on Monday, Nov 30. I will post when the sale is up..The In Stock pages are currently down while I update and change eberything.
Sorry for the delay but I want to do this right. THank you for the understanding.
JPH
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Website Updated
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 11/23/2009 10:14:26 (Read: ) |
Hello:
Just a note as far as a site update..All recently sold items have been removed and everything that is available is currently listed. There will be more itmes listed as I finish them up here in the next few days.
The book cover knife mentioned in the previous post has been aquired. Thank you Bill!!
So look for new items here in a week or so
Thank you for your interest..
~~~JPH~~~
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Update and new Items
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 10/23/2009 13:53:46 (Read: ) |
Hello!!
Well things are finally starting to subside and I am in the middle of trying to get things done and new items posted...so I figure it is time for an update...
For those of you in the Las Vegas area, we will be at NeonCon, Nov 6, 7 and 8, 2009 held at Palace Station hotel/casino. We will have a limited yet nice seelction of cutlery..so please feel free to stop by and look at what we have first hand..
OK..now this is a once in a lifetime opprotunity and the first one wins. I am on October 25th, sometime that morning going to post on my In Stock pages the pattern welded Kukhri that I made for the cover of book II. This is the first Kukhri I ever made and is featured on the cover of "The Master Bladesmith" and will be accompanied with a signed copy of the book.
The lucky person to be the first to act will have a true collector's itme and it is most certainly one of a kind. So take a look on the 25th.. The asking price will be $950.00
So that's all that's up here in the wilds of the Nevada desert
Thank you for your interest...
~~~JPH~~~
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New Sword Added
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 09/07/2009 12:42:55 (Read: ) |
Hello:
I just added a new sword, this one is a three core twist/counter-twist "star" pattern blade with knot worked bronze fittings and a star ruby set on the sheath's throat.
This is one seriously gorgeous sword. The whole "package" is very dramtic and would be a centerpiece in many collections. Please feel to take a look at my "In Stock" pages for more info.
Thank you!!
JPH
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Pages Updated and a Few More Pieces Added
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 08/22/2009 18:44:10 (Read: ) |
Hello! I just updated the "In Stock" pages and added several more pieces. One of which is a very nice San Mai Japanese style Katana in Cinnabar/Vermillion Red. Please feel free to take a look and see what is new.
I will be adding more pieces as I get them done.
THANK YOU for the interest in my work..
JPH
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New Camera and Better Photos!
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 06/08/2009 15:01:54 (Read: ) |
Hello!!
Ok due to immesne amount of pressure I have been getting to get better quality photos on this web site, especially on the "In Stock" pages..I went and got a new camera..So thanks to the patient assistance of my Head E-vile Minion Sev I can now post better photos..Several of which as already up in the photo archives.
What this means is starting in the next couple of days I will be placing items up for immediate sale on the In Stock pages. I will of course announce when new items are listed...
So keep an eye out and see what comes up...
Thank you all
~~~JPH~~~
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In the Midsts of RPFS 2009
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 04/27/2009 17:13:30 (Read: ) |
Hello:
We are right in the middle of Southern Faire, RPFS 2009, and the last 4 weekends several folks have come up to me and asked if I had anything to do with the following website: www.becomeabladesmith.com
Now I wanted to advoid this whole ugly mess but now that numerous folks have came to me asking if I was "the guy who gave a testimonial" for these people..I have no choice but to come out on this.
No way in Hell am I associated with these individuals nor would I ever endorse or recommend something like this. They mislead, they, in my opinion, flat out lie and their so called "Accrediation" is totally bogus, as I checked with the United States Department of Eductaion and they are not listed on the rolls of accredited organizations..If they were in fact "accredited" they would be listed there. They are NOT so draw your own conclusions..
They are a "diploma mill" and the paper they give is totally useless. I for one wouldn't take anyone seriously that came up to me with one of their "certificates". Now, I am going on the record here, and many folks who know me personally know the "history" between the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) and myself but I will say that the ABS school is one of the best places for folks to learn how to do this stuff, it is HANDS ON learning, taught by highly skilled craftsmen, not some diploma mill geared to the poor souls who get suckered in to sending their money into these people thinking that they will be exempt from State and Federal Laws and all that other drivel.
I will say this again. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS SITE, period. I value my name and my reputation better than that.
If someone wants to learn how to forge blades, find a teacher, go to the ABS classes or simply do it the way I basically did, just get started abd DO IT...Pick things up...I did it..and if I can do this..ANYONE CAN...
My words to anyone that is even thinking about sending their funds to www.becomeabladesmith.com is simple: DO NOT DO IT....
JPH
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The Passing of a Living Legend
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 12/29/2008 15:17:12 (Read: ) |
Everyone..
It is with a broken heart that I am writing this..I have known this man for over 30 some odd years....and it is a bitter-sweet thing indeed to reflect upon such a thing as this....
Most folks who are in the custom knife industry that aren't "long timers" or long in the tooth like myself and several other here, the name Jody Samson is "new"...To those of us who have "been around", know the name, and many of us know the man himself.
Jody Samson passed away Saturday, December 27, he collapsed at his private workshop at Albion Swords, doing what he loved best..creating knives, and was pronounced dead from pneumonia. He was a true artist in many different mediums and a great friend and colleague of mine. In fact a lot of his work was featured in my first book. We shared good times, we shared the bad times. We laughed with (and sometimes at) each other. We cried, almost shared a jail cell or two back in the day...He, the late Alex Collkins and I...we were friends. I miss the man.
Jody was accomplished..we was a true "ARTIST"...He fashioned the swords used in the "Conan" films and frankly, he taught me how to hollow grind and I showed him how to forge. I am truly saddened by this man's passing as a great light has been put out all too soon upon this earth, and now a new light shines and burns brightly in the heavens above us all.....
Walk with Tubal Cain Jody, carve your work into the heavens and know that this humble man misses you...and treasures your memory and what you mean to anyone that ever made a blade...
Dr Jim Hrisoulas
Henderson, Nevada
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Site was down
Posted by: jhrisoulas on 06/03/2006 19:36:01 (Read: ) |
Hello: I was quite aware that this site was down for 4 days recently. Why this happened remains a mystery to me but it is back up and running. I will be reviving the "in stock" pages as well as starting a revamp on this site in the next few days after I get my studio cleaned and my new equipment installed. So check back as I will be posting several pieces every few days.
I would also like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at RPFS and those that wrote in to tell me that this site was down...THANK YOU!!
JPH
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