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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2012 21:42:20 GMT
Hello, guys. I'm just registered user, so some words about me: I'm from Israel. This hobby caught me 5-6 months before. My interest is Japanese long Sword (katana). I like this forum but it is not the one source of information I use. I'm new Iaidoka too. I'm not backyard cutter, but would like to try some "tamashigiri" and don't want excuse serious blade defects. Well, I've just bought and received my first real katana. It is Munetoshi T10 Kumo (JH-8806) from Sword-n-Armory: www.swordnarmory.com/Munetoshi-H ... h-8806.htm Really not a cheap one. I need your help to decide about its blade conditions. Is it acceptable and good or must be returned?I think that the blade has some flaws (see below) In my opinion they are 4 + Saya . 1 more problematic and 3 less (at least I think so). The most questionable is the following: 2 - problem: ------------------- 3 - problem: ------------------- 4 - question (is it problem at all?) ------------------------------------------ 5 - Saya question: --------------------- It looks like scabbard is somewhere not suitable to the blade. When I put katana inside, the blade base (near Habaki) goes through (touches) the tree material inside Koiguchi without any space between them. Is it a problem? Will it make some problems to the blade? Funny thing that I got "0001" number -------------------------------------------------- Well, the main question is still the same "need it be returned back or not"?
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Post by willhart on Oct 26, 2012 23:56:26 GMT
Well hopefully someone who knows this type of stuff better than me might answer. But that looks like an acid etched hamon and they did a bad job with the acid etch maybe? The bad thing is with this if it's an acid etched enhanced hamon is, if you try to polish off those marks with most types of metal polish, you will start erasing the frosty/whiter part of the blade and then you can't return it.
But to me it doesn't look like a structural defect. I probably would return it or exchange it for one that didn't have these marks.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Oct 27, 2012 1:55:20 GMT
I wouldn't worry about imperfections in the appearance of that hamon. It just adds character. And if your blade fits too tightly near the koiguchi, a little filing might be in order. If however, there are indications of the different steels delaminating, you might want to return it.
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Post by Toast on Oct 27, 2012 4:24:29 GMT
I closely examined the photos in your post. I have experienced similar marks with several of my katana when they arrived. Have you attempted to clean the blade? Oftentimes, swords such as this are heavily coated in a lubricant when they leave the forge, which I believe is located in China. By the time you received it, the lubricant tends to dry on the blade and leaves marks similar to this. Hold the katana with the blade pointed towards the ground and spray the blade with an ammonia based window cleaner like Windex. Use a cotton cloth and wipe the blade and see if the marks diminish. This may solve your problem.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2012 6:27:33 GMT
Thanks for answers. It looks like there is nothing serious to worry about. I'd want to add that in the reality it looks much better and less problematic then on photos because on the photos I pointed in zoom on the questionable place and tried to find the "worst" position. Well, till now it will stay with me.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Oct 27, 2012 6:29:29 GMT
I agree with the clean first, I would wipe with alcohol but glass cleaner would do.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2012 7:19:06 GMT
45% ethanol (vodka) will be OK?
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Taran
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Post by Taran on Oct 27, 2012 7:46:19 GMT
Eh, if it was a potable alcohol (like whiskey) I'd say it was a waste. But Vodka is really only good for cleaning and sterilizing, so go for it.
Edit: Well, and the good stuff makes decent molotov cocktails, but other than that...
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Oct 27, 2012 7:49:00 GMT
Sure, just remember to oil after.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2012 12:34:07 GMT
I did vodka cleaning-nothing changed. It is still the same. Except of those mentioned above - everything looks Ok. By the way: is it possible to store katana in the vertical position? I think: Yes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 20:23:43 GMT
What do you think about my design ( it stands handle side down now): Want put here 2-3 more katanas
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 28, 2012 20:50:32 GMT
Just found this thread, would side with the majority that it looks like some minor oxidation or dried lubricant. If the vodka didn't clean it well enough, something stronger might. Do you have access to polishing compounds like MetalGlo or Flitz? Some jeweler's rouge, even...something in a cream form with very light abrasive characteristics might just scrub it off, but nothing too strong that might hurt the finish.
I quite like your display, very nice.
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Post by Kumdoalan on Oct 28, 2012 21:17:31 GMT
I dont know guys.....
When I looked at the photo I saw a flaw from the forging and because it is so noticeable I would have to say "Send it back"
There are only so many days to contact the seller to request a new sword, so we may be down to only hrs now.
I think its going to be a problem, the flaws seem deep in the steel, and i think you would be far better off with a new sword with no such issues...
as for the glass sword case? Awesome!
I would still display the sword in that case with the handle at the top....But if you think it looks better the other way that's your call...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 22:38:10 GMT
I'm sure that those "spots" are internal.
Thank you that you liked my idea. I like handle-up position more too. The reason is that some manufacturers and in the different articles is recommended to store katana handle-down and kissaki up.
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Post by Toast on Oct 28, 2012 22:44:59 GMT
I concur with Random, a very light abrasive cream type metal polish will probably remedy this once and for all. I too like your display, and I would like to have one like that as well.
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Post by Springs on Oct 28, 2012 22:52:34 GMT
Ah...very clever use of a detolf (?) shelf. Wish I had space for that, haha (I have 3 covered from top to bottom already).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 23:02:00 GMT
I'm ready to change my shelf for your collection hehe. If seriously, I'm planning 2-3 more katanas and stop with that. 1 for usual cutting (work horse) something simple like Light Cutter or SBG official, and 1-2 really antique. So it will be OK for me.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 28, 2012 23:05:53 GMT
I dunno, Alan...I looked again and zoomed in a bit but all I can side looks like minor surface stains. There is a line in the Harmon at one point that's a little weird, but isn't this a non-folded, monosteel sword? That should preclude any concerns of lamination or welding flaws, including layer separation.
I doubt that there is anything underneath the spots I'm seeing that would be fatal to a sword, but without polishing it's hard to say. Unfortunately, polishing the whole thing would probably void a return arrangement.
Thus is only complicated by the poor guy being in Israel...what is the shipping like for him? :shock:
Edit: just followed the link and discovered this was the sanmai version. Okay, so...that in mind? Still not too worried about the line...it tends to be visible, after all. The rest I'm still seeing as surface stains, albeit very stubborn ones.
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Post by Kumdoalan on Oct 28, 2012 23:11:41 GMT
Im not sure why? If you get a chance, send me the link to any place you remember that has said that.
Im told by my sword teacher that you stand a normal Katana blade in a saya with the handle at the top. If you do not have a saya and wish to stand the sword up against the wall, then you place the handle on the ground to protect the tip and the floor from being scratched.
There are other types of swords that are stored with the handle at the bottom in a special stand...
I have also seen in Japanese movies that both directions appear to be used.
The only thing I got as to what direction to place the handle is that if you over-oil the blade of the sword it's not really a good idea to have the handle under the blade where all the oil will slowly drip down and get the handle silk all greasy.
But that might not matter with your glass case situation.
If all you need to concern yourself with is how it all looks, then I would say I still like the look of the handle at the top. The handle at the bottom position just seems "upside down" to me...LOL
But regardless, the glass case is going to make the sword look stunning....Its something to base a room around for sure.
randomnobody: When I look at the first two photos posted I see what I think is a flaw in the steel. Now I could be wrong about this, but thats the way it looks to me from the photos. and, I dont think any amount of stone work can fix it. and even if its not so bad, its also not really the job of the new owner to fix...
most of the people that get a sword around here are posting photos of what a great polish they came with. Even the guys who get the really cheap swords are able to point to a good finish on the steel This guy cant.... There is a real problem for some unknown reason .
I still say that if there is still time, that I would try to send the sword back to be replaced... These things happen, this is why they give us 14 days to request a new sword..
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 23:22:28 GMT
Really serious thing. Only to get it here I waited more then 3 weeks and paid more then 400$ in addition to its price. Yeah, the board crossing is not comfortable for me: too many papers, money, export-import licensing etc.
About vertical position I'll find you some links tomorrow. For sure, you can find it at Cheness.
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