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Post by Lachox on Aug 7, 2011 3:36:40 GMT
I'm looking to make a customized katana, and the subject is snow. Browsing the internet, looking for inspiration and ideas, I decided what I'm looking at koshirae of this sword. Beyond that, I've seen a couple of blades have spots mimicking the snow: (I add a few pictures): How is that? Are single spots? Would weaken the sword performance? Does it weaken the metal? Are they permanent? Advance for the answer, thank you very much.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 7, 2011 7:23:15 GMT
Unless this is a fairly high-end custom blade the spots are likely achieved via brush and stencil or a chemical stain. Neither process will weaken the blade, but will come off with use. Custom katanas can have a hamon style, called hitatsura, somewhat like the one in the pictures you posted.
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Post by Curgan on Aug 7, 2011 7:47:52 GMT
The hamon you posted is not what one would see on a nihonto. Actually, I think this is only cosmetic on a low grade (and ugly IMHO) sword. Browse, if you like, the pics of the first katana in this threads www.barrettcustomknives.com/japanese_gallery www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/hamonpatterns.htmlwww.swordpolisher.com/Keisho.htmland you 'll see how a proper hitatsura should look like. The "spots" are tempered parts of the ji. Most production katana companies have problem with more elaborate hamon types and those who might do the trick are on the high price range. In production blades the rule the simpler the better applies, as with more complex construction come faults. But yet all depend on your budget and the intented use of the sword. For a wallhanger, where you don't care much for performance, any type of hamon or etched pattern would do. Hope I was of some help. PS I (and many others I presume) would be interested in seeing the finished project, so post some pics when you 're done please!
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