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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 1:34:55 GMT
Most likely a misspelling or other error. I can't find anything on shinkea even when searching in Japanese that is related to the sword. Too bad I don't know how to fuzzy search anymore.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Oct 6, 2015 1:48:37 GMT
Yeah, that was what initially caught my eye when I saw it, because it was something that I had no idea what it is. XD Still, just for a chance to solve that mystery, no way would I pay that much. ^-^
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Oct 6, 2015 2:30:52 GMT
Even if there are people who would pay that much for a Longquan Katana, they would expect more features. Like a great looking Hamon, like a pretty Choji. Real silk wrap, or at least real Japanese cotton. Or real leather. Fittings look painted, which wont work that great at that price point also. Rayskin would have to be better quality. Saya of course should be with real buffalo parts and probably not just the generic black gloss one without (Honestly that and the Ito are the worst part, what did he think slapping those on a sword of that price point?) Not commenting on the engraving, looks neither traditional not pretty imho :p Just look at the 500-600 Dollar Huawei for comparison, no lamination but the fittings, Saya, Hamon... Your sword looks nice :) While I wouldn't be interested at the price point, it looks like an interesting piece in general :) Thanks, I like the way it looks too. :) The main reason I went with this is because I really wanted to test one of the higher-ups in Longquan katana forgers, and I wanted to go with a more traditional nihonto~esque theme, from leather ito and nice full-wrapped samegawa to only one mekugi pin and a koshi zori geometry. Sure, I agree that for $600 it wouldn't be for everyone, but I wanted to see what one of their higher end blades is like. (I don't plan on doing any destructive tests with it, for obvious reasons though. XD) Still, I think it's been overall a pretty interesting experience (while I STILL wait for my custom SBG katana that I ordered back in April) and I think I'm actually getting a worthwhile product for my money spent. (As opposed to those who say that all Longquan katana are cheap crap that all look the same.)
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Post by nihontocaster on Oct 6, 2015 3:33:34 GMT
It surely seems more close to 600 bucks than the other one does to 1200 ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Ah I can totally understand the liking for a "maxed out" Longquan sword! Planning to do similar with another forge. Really like the fittings you picked for your sword
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 3:54:55 GMT
What forge are you going for?
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on Oct 6, 2015 4:27:38 GMT
Speaking from what I have seen, some of the nicer laminated blades are a step above the normal Longquan offerings. There are so many small details in the blade that are just "right". Here is a couple factory Hazuya finishes from two different Longquan sellers.
Attachments:![top ryan bottom Swordsmith 668.jpg](//storage.forums.net/1694914/thumbnailer/ylWHFx9Lcbea4pKIbSSY.jpg)
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 4:29:26 GMT
I prefer the bottom one, but I don't know if it is because I prefer no hi, because I prefer the hamon, or it actually is the polish. They look pretty similar to me to be honest, but something about the bottom one I like better.
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on Oct 6, 2015 4:46:05 GMT
The bottom one is more consistent in it's color, the top one has more complexity.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 4:58:01 GMT
Seems about right. I am one for simple and consistent. >>
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Oct 6, 2015 12:41:55 GMT
I agree, the bottom is much nicer - the top is the Ryanswords replacement, right? The hamon looks to drift VERY close to the edge in several spots, though I do like it's pattern. (I usually prefer much thicker hamon to be safe than sorry, and hamon close to the edge always scare me.)
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on Oct 6, 2015 13:36:33 GMT
There is a functional reason for the hamon line to run close to the edge. Part of the reasons the "dips" exist, is to make it so edge chips (from a hard strike), must traverse softer steel, effectively halting the spread of the chip/crack. Good eye Messenger, it is the Ryan replacement (with the hammon which slants towards the tip as seen on many of his higher end swords. He did a much better job on the hazuya finish with the replacement blade. The first sword he sent had a very "muddy" hamon line. Unlike the acid etched hamon lines on many longquan swords, which must be viewed at a precise angle to see clearly; the hazuya polish allows it to be clearly seen with a very broad viewing angle. Both of the swords pictures will get a "touch up" of the polish to reveal the structure more clearly. They Ryan will gain more benefit, as the Swordsmith668/Hanbon blade already has a more consistent polish. In all fairness, even the Hanbon could be improved by more work on the finish near the Ha (edge), as the tips of some of the edge-ward fingers are a bit faint.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 14:31:15 GMT
Swordsmiths in Japan use a clay technique where they apply clay perpendicular to the hamon to stop chips at those slightly softer spots, so a hamon close to the edge isn't the only way. This is normally done over the two clay layers already present to make a hamon. This likely isn't replicated in Chinese swords though.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Oct 6, 2015 14:37:35 GMT
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not denying that a hamon that runs close to the edge in spots isn't meant for a purpose, but it still scares me nonetheless - partly because if you happen to get a deep enough nick at that point, then you've a fatal flaw, partly because I tend to do stupid things with some of my swords. XD At first, I had to think on where it was likely from, as I've never actually seen Ryansword produced a blade that's ACTUALLY laminated. And I agree that a few touchups wouldn't go amiss, I may even redo my own kissaki once I get mine to show off the yokote, which could be stronger on mine: ![](http://www.even-sword.com/evensword/L6hazuyapolish110.jpg) That's the main reason I went with a Hazuya polish on mine too, because I wantyed a polish that best emphasized the hamon short of a full (and EXPENSIVE) fingerstone polish. (I've also read that a true hazuya polish is considered to be the most 'honest' polish when it comes to studying and inspecting the forging and tempering properties of a blade, as it covers up and emphasizes the least.)
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on Oct 6, 2015 15:09:29 GMT
If you are going to do the kissaki, don't forget to make use of popsicle sticks to "shield" the yokote as you polish with stones. Go vertical on the tip, and lengthwise on the body of the blade. The 90 degree change in polishing motion is a big part of what brings out the tip transition. (from "The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing").
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Oct 6, 2015 15:20:07 GMT
Well, depending on how the blade looks in person once I get it, I might only redo the kissaki and leave the blade itself untouched, but we'll see once I have it in my hands. (I never have gotten chance to use any of my fingerstones before, so this might prove a worthy candidate for me to use them.)
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on Oct 6, 2015 15:39:13 GMT
The Chinese Hazuya polish tends to be with a harder and more coarse stone. Most the fingerstones you will get from Japan leave a softer and finer finish. You will likely end up having to do the entire blade, due to the change in how the finish looks (if you do just the tip). Using fingerstones for a hazuya polish is more of a measurement of patience and time, rather than ultimate skill. It takes a bit of time, and you must work all portions of the blade equally to prevent an uneven finish. Paramount point is, there can be no dips in the surface before you start. Unfortunately, you might not notice them until you begin, and then realize the hazuya polish has a "streaky" look. Most of the dips in the Chinese blade run as strips along the length of the blade.
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Post by nihontocaster on Oct 6, 2015 16:49:41 GMT
What forge are you going for? Huawei, kinda intending on one of the 450-600 Dollar blades with a complex Choji, then a full-wrap (maybe with nicer rayskin when I can talk them into it), Japanese real silk wrap, and some more authentic looking fittings (Though the Nami ones their higher price swords have now are pretty nice already). Full rattan wrap Saya with buffalo horn parts also maybe, if I can't talk them into a full rayskin wrap on the Saya. Will have to wait some more months though ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) New computer needed first haha.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 16:55:46 GMT
I need to upgrade my gpu one of these days so I feel ya. I went with swords first though, lol. That sounds pretty fancy. I've heard some stories about Huawei customs, so hopefully yours turns out okay. I'm having some issues with mine from sheng but eh, stuff happens. At least he finally responds in a timely manner...
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Post by nihontocaster on Oct 6, 2015 19:12:00 GMT
Computers, if only they would hold as long as swords Ah thanks ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) It's kinda why I intend on leaving the blade standard, and just change the fittings, wrap, woodwork - guess that is less troublesome. In theory I would prefer a complex-Choji Hamon blase made of folded T10 instead of monosteel, just to have a bit of Hada too, but that would be custom blade and blah. I hope your problems with Sheng work out in the end! He is capable of making nice swords at least.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Oct 6, 2015 19:38:24 GMT
He sent pictures of the blade polish and koshirae. We're deciding on the tsuba The one in the pictures is not what I asked for but is of higher quality. He'll send me one closer to what I want later and let me decide. The horn is the wrong color but at this point, I just want it done. And yeah, I remember having to pay a lot because mu gpu died on new years eve and only best buy was open. This time I'm hoping to get one of the gtx 900s.
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