About Ted Tenold and Legacy Arts Swords
About Ted Tenold and Legacy Arts My name is Ted Tenold and I have been working as a polisher in both modern and traditional sword polishing methods that span from current works of modern domestic smiths to antique restoration projects. My style of polishing is constantly influenced by my traditional training, which I continue as a grateful, ongoing apprentice under Mr. Michael Christianson, a respected restoration polisher in the antique sword community. Swords I receive for restoration work will most often be shown for his approval as well as mine. I work within my limitations and will always recommend a polisher of higher caliber, if the sword should require that level of work. Confidence at my level is high and I have never experienced an unhappy customer, however I work within my perimeters. Consistent pace, and diligent effort will raise my bar with time, and I am in no hurry. I have been polishing and mounting swords for Bugei Trading Company since 1996, and also maintain my own small enterprise, Legacy Arts. My work also extends to other related work, including habaki, tsuka-maki, and related mounting crafts. The majority of my work for Bugei has been on blades by Mr. Howard Clark, and Mr. Bob Engnath. I give Bugei the majority of my attention and we, as friends often do, have respectful working arrangements. Bugei serves as my representative for work on modern domestically forged swords. I will refer individuals with these types of swords directly to them. I have innovated new methods and implemented a broad spectrum of materials required to polish these blades of advanced metallurgy in an effort to bring them to the highest "study able" state of polish while maintaining traditional aesthetics and techniques. I am a proponent of the modern types of steels in use by sword smiths today, and an advocate of the craftsmen involved. I believe their work to be some of the finest examples of metal working skills yet seen. They are respected now, and will be revered in the future. It is not my position or desire to become a teacher of this trade yet, and should someone ask me the best way to learn it, I would say simply "Go to the instructor, they will not go to you". It is not something that can be learned through electronic means or verbal communication. So please don't ask me to teach you. I will happily share most information with anyone interested, as long as it is not proprietary (as some of my methods and materials are), and I have the time at that particular moment. This is something that always was, and still is done by many people in the trade for me, and I repay that debt to all those, by sharing with others. Those whom I show and tell the things closest to me obtain that information through a long relationship and through having earned my trust. They are few because I know their minds are in the right place, and they treat the trade with dignity. If you have need of services, please call for a quote. I will have a price list on the site soon, but as with everything, in due time. I am a member of the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai), the Florida Token Kai, and the Northern California Sword Society. If you would like automatic notification to changes to this site including when new items are put up for sale, please sign up for my mailing list.
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