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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2010 23:15:12 GMT
Someone I know recently received a katana with some damage to the habaki and uneven grind on the mune exiting from the habaki. I don't want to cause any stir regarding the the dealer as he hasn't even been informed yet. The reason for my post is because the owner likes the sword cosmetically as is, but has a concern over future reliability and maintenance. The sword is from a limited production run and the owner would like to keep it, if it is reasonable to do so. In order to get advice here we took some pictures today. Please note the sword still has it's packing/shipping grease/oil on it and the pictures are not particularly pretty. We'll shoot those ones later Again, I'd like to stress that the dealer has a good reputation and the owner is not concerned with any difficulty on proceeding with a return/exchange if it seems necessary. We're just looking for advice concerning the condition of the katana. For perspective the sword cost approximately 150.00. It may be used to cut in the future and the owner plans to keep it for a very long time. The habaki appears to have been pressed down towards the blade and their appears to be tool marks with some minor damage from that process. The blade appears straight to me though the mune's grind near the habaki is not straight.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2010 23:34:24 GMT
Well, while I don't believe it would affect the swords' performance, I'd still send it back. Then again, I am phenomenally picky.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2010 23:40:26 GMT
Yeah, I understand. What about the habaki is that likely to be a problem when it comes time to take the sword apart and reassemble it?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2010 23:49:08 GMT
The habaki probably wouldn't give you any trouble. It doesn't appear it would.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 0:54:03 GMT
there is a small crack in the brass that is visible in the last three pictures; that worries me since I can't see it staying this way in use.
Maybe repost this on the Japanese sword thread for a range of opinions.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:13:15 GMT
Perhaps its misleading, but the first two photos appear to show either pitting or some defect in the grain structure of the steel rather than a grinding defect. If thats in fact the case then I would be VERY concerned about the integrity and longevity (in one piece, that is...) of the blade. Does anybody else see what I'm seeing here?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:17:27 GMT
Post some low angle pictures along the blade, if there is any lateral bend or twist it should be sent back. The habaki, well there's an easy way to check if there's any problems taking it off, just disassemble the katana lol ( this is the first thing you should do to all katana you buy anyways).
If the only problem with the blade is a little off-centre shaping on the mune as pictured then I would say it's structurally ok, so it's up to you to decide if you want to send it back or not. And even if you think it's fine you should still contact the dealer, I know who you ordered from and I'm sure he'd rather know about this even if you end up keeping the sword.
Hope this helped.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:20:44 GMT
Perhaps its misleading, but the first two photos appear to show either pitting or some defect in the grain structure of the steel rather than a grinding defect. If thats in fact the case then I would be VERY concerned about the integrity and longevity (in one piece, that is...) of the blade. Does anybody else see what I'm seeing here? I think that's just the grease...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:26:08 GMT
there is a small crack in the brass that is visible in the last three pictures; that worries me since I can't see it staying this way in use. Maybe repost this on the Japanese sword thread for a range of opinions. If I'm looking correctly, that looks like a minor chip, not something which could become serious.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:31:24 GMT
Hm, I didn't see that before. Where it is located at I don't think that it would affect the structural integrity of the habaki. if it were on the ha or mune, it would be cause for concern, but since it's not, I think it'll be fine.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 1:32:39 GMT
Greybeard: I too believe that's just gunk.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 2:18:25 GMT
OK, Rombarumblethorn, whats your call on the mune - pitting or gunk?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 2:27:37 GMT
The pictures give the impression that the packing gunk still on the blade is pitting. The blade has not been cleaned yet, but I haven't noticed any actual pitting or other problems beyond the habaki and mune as of yet. The sword's fittings are all very tight atm and rattle free. The owner or I will certainly pass on the defects to the dealer as I'm sure he will want to know. She would just like a better idea of where she stands with the katana currently before she go's any further. She does like the sword aesthetically, despite the defects. I will add some the pictures I still have available. Thank you for your input. I'm sure when she reads the thread it will help her come to a more informed decision.
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Post by Ronin Katana on Mar 21, 2010 2:54:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 3:02:12 GMT
Actually, I don't have any full on shots of the blade and not much atm that's more helpful. The blade does appear straight to me.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 3:04:27 GMT
Ahh, thank you Ronin$ So, the crooked grind in the mune isn't a real problem? It's primarily just cosmetic for a casual users purpose?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2010 3:05:48 GMT
I just noticed that the crookedness isn't very apparent in that particular photo. It shows obviously in real life as in some of the photos above.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Mar 21, 2010 4:37:35 GMT
eh, the crooked line jumped out at me. it was the first thing I saw in fact. they would bug me personally but the flaws shown here should not have any impact on safety or usability of the sword. I know who you got it from too and I think he will want to take care of you any way he can. the decision is yours but you should feel comfotable in trusting these flaws don't make it unsafe. I don't know the condition of the rest of the sword so there might be something we can't see here but this is ok. ugly, but ok.
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 21, 2010 6:39:31 GMT
eh, the crooked line jumped out at me. it was the first thing I saw in fact. they would bug me personally but the flaws shown here should not have any impact on safety or usability of the sword. I know who you got it from too and I think he will want to take care of you any way he can. the decision is yours but you should feel comfotable in trusting these flaws don't make it unsafe. I don't know the condition of the rest of the sword so there might be something we can't see here but this is ok. ugly, but ok. Agreed.
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Post by wiwingti on Mar 21, 2010 16:30:33 GMT
what you should have done is contact me man, because i know it is one of my swords. easy to see the WSS tsuba.
and
that habaki isn't dangerous ,like ( Midori Kurogami) said,it isn't a big issue and dangerous.
but if you take the time to pm or send me (your) informations i'll make the habaki changed for sure.
Marc
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