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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Aug 26, 2015 22:04:56 GMT
I don't know much about metallurgy but I think L6 is very difficult steel to treat and it will result in bland "meh" hamon.
You can look how Howard Clarks 1086 and Forge Folded blades have nice active hamons, and then the L6's are just "meh".
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 26, 2015 22:08:43 GMT
From what I understand a suguha hamon is generally used on L6 blades due to them being more stable in the forging process, as when I contacted Sheng with a different hamon type, he strongly advised against it, and recommended a less active hamon.
This, coupled with the difficulty in heat treating L6 steel makes a more simple blade more preferred, I think. Hence why I plan on reviewing it, to see just how good it is. :)
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 26, 2015 22:20:25 GMT
The hamon looks similar to some hanwei L6 I've seen. That said, the mirror polish makes them looks even more meh than a very nice polish on something like a Howard Clark. St-nihonto sells both DH and non DH L6. The steel looks L6 to my untrained eye but I couldn't tell you if it is GOOD L6 by looking at it. I like the looks of the L6 but don't like the edge durability.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 26, 2015 23:17:30 GMT
The hamon looks similar to some hanwei L6 I've seen. That said, the mirror polish makes them looks even more meh than a very nice polish on something like a Howard Clark. St-nihonto sells both DH and non DH L6. The steel looks L6 to my untrained eye but I couldn't tell you if it is GOOD L6 by looking at it. I like the looks of the L6 but don't like the edge durability. From what I know, not all L6 steel has poor edge retention durability, if it is heat treated correctly, then L6 steel is tough resilient, and even flexible. There was someone here (I don't remember who) who reviewed a Hanwei L6 Oni Katana, and he rolled the edge quite badly on his wooden stand during a rather bad cut. However, Hanwei's usual katana have, to the best of my knowledge, always been a little on the brittle side (with thin blades, ie, Kotetsu geometry), so they may have just not completely mastered the process of heat treating L6 steel. (It was also a secondhand Oni katana, so the reviewer himself stated that it might not be Hanwei's fault there.)
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 0:04:24 GMT
From what I have read on swordforum and in reviews, both howard clark and hanwei l6 blades lose sharpness pretty quick compared to other steels.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 0:39:00 GMT
From what I have read on swordforum and in reviews, both howard clark and hanwei l6 blades lose sharpness pretty quick compared to other steels. Well, just because it's made of L6 doesn't make it a wonder metal or anything - I'm sure it's still got it's pros and cons. Personally, I would think it has to do with the blade's edge geometry as well - if it's a thinner geometry, something like Kotetsu geometry, then the edge wouldn't be as durable as something like an Appleseed geometry, which is thicker with a wider area of meat along the edge, making it more durable. Just my thoughts - for traditional targets, I'm sure that L6 is a fine material for swordmaking, provided you don't try and slay any evil trees or nontraditional targets.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 0:45:04 GMT
The ones I remember reading, the blade dulled from tatami at a faster rate than the other swords fellow dojo members used. It was still a good number of cuts, I think 200, but I still wouldn't risk it.
Edit: I should note that I am not talking about rolling or chipping, just dulling faster. I believe Howard Clark said that L6 is very durable but doesn't stay as sharp as long. That means some touch ups a little more often.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 1:04:10 GMT
That's fine with me - I don't do a huge amount of cutting with any of my swords, they're mostly for decoration than anything, though I like them to be of good quality nonetheless.
The Hanwei Oni katana, for example, has too many shortcomings to be a viable option for me, even if it IS L6 steel - the blade's polish is way to rough and satin~y for my preference, even if it does help to hide scratches. (It also seems overprices, IMHO,)
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 1:07:09 GMT
I don't cut often either, but edge retention is a factor because I do cut sometimes and I normally try to do precision cuts. But that is why you get an L6 and I get T10. That is one good thing about swords, even in a single style there are enough variations to please a bunch of people.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 1:34:31 GMT
Gee Alexander, thanks a lot. >_< XD And yeah, while it may have... intensified a bit, I think it's still a helpful and continuous topic. And Kiyoshi, I also have a couple T10 katana too, I'm just getting a couple of L6 katana for comparative and testing purposes - I'm not favoring one over the othet yet sonce I've yet to test both.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 1:42:59 GMT
Yeah... I don't get side tracked easily at all. That would just be ridiculous. Oh... Look! A squirrel. lol
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 12:23:46 GMT
Uh-oh, Kiyoshi is turning into my dog! 0_o
XD
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 13:12:36 GMT
I prefer cats. Lol :3
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 14:21:50 GMT
Me too, bit I've already got one of each, so HA! lol XD Anyways, Sheng is currently having my blade polished, so I'll get some glam pics of it once it's done to make sure that there's boshi and no fatal flaws, etc. BTW, what's everyone's favorite type of hamon, just wondering?
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 15:09:39 GMT
Calm hamon like suguha and other boring ones. Lol
Mine is being polished too. Looks like we both will be getting ours around the same time.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 16:32:04 GMT
Calm hamon like suguha and other boring ones. Lol Mine is being polished too. Looks like we both will be getting ours around the same time. 'Slong as you don't get mine and I yours then that's fine lol. Does that mean that our blades are brother swords then? Food for thought... And BTW, if anyone has any skill in reading signature Mei, then please help me out identifying the smith of one of my katana- its posted in a separate thread here. Thanks! And BTW Kiyoshi, you're telling me that you don't think this (NOT MINE): looks at least a little interesting/beautiful?
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 17:17:46 GMT
That's exactly what I'm saying. Lol I like simple things that are really plain with just a little bit of an accent. A suguha with a slight raise, a notare near the habaki that mellows out into a suguha would be nice too. Those crazy hamon don't suit me at all. There are some more random hamon that I really like but they are case by case.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Aug 27, 2015 17:50:22 GMT
Ah, ok then, I must have read too deeply into what you were saying, sorry about that. I myself like all kinda of hamon types and styles, provided its a real hamon. To me, the hamon is the most vibrant part of a katana's essence (or soul, I suppose you could say), as no two are exactly alike and they tend to speak of the sword's personality a little bit. :)
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Mikeeman
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Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
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Post by Mikeeman on Aug 27, 2015 20:03:42 GMT
To me, the hamon is the most vibrant part of a katana's essence (or soul, I suppose you could say) You must have never experienced the hada and lamination in true tamahagane, then.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 27, 2015 20:18:29 GMT
It is a reflection of the sword's soul. Which is a reflection of the wielder's and mine is just as plain and boring as the hamon I like, lol. And Mike, I like boring hada too.
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