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Post by anj4de on Apr 6, 2024 20:43:47 GMT
Hello everybody
Yesterday I was dismanteling a cheap 2nd hand Katana that I bought recently. This is when I spoted a, if cheaply, marked nakago.
Can anybody read this and possible identify where the blade came from? I guess Longquan. The blade itself seems to be made from folded steel and the hamon, at least to me, looks real. Unfortuantely it was butcherd a bit to get the habaki to fit. Angle grinder marks... :-( Any thoughts on the blade otherwise? The sword is currently my beater, it cuts quite ok...water bottles, etc.
thanks a ot Uwe
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Post by larason2 on Apr 6, 2024 23:00:08 GMT
詹室武 Zhan Shi Wu. Probably the Smith's name. Zhan would be the last name, Shi Wu the first name. All these characters are used for names, but not often otherwise. I suppose it could be the company name, but I don't think so. (I believe Zsey stands for Zhang Shi, but that g makes it a totally different word!)
Using a grinder to get the habaki on is typical of most Chinese manufacturers. Usually they leave the nakago sharp, super scratched up, and full of grinder marks. That's part of how you know it's Chinese!
Yes, the blade is differentially hardened, and looks like what they usually call "damascus," i.e., folded carbon steel of different grades. That nakago looks exceptionally long, maybe a bugei? Anyway, made in longquan for sure.
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Post by anj4de on Apr 7, 2024 8:30:22 GMT
Thanks a lot for the answer. The folding patten on the blade in reality is not as pronounced as seen in the pictures. I used the picture program to enhance it a bit for clarity. I am glad it is actually a bit more subdued. The shape of the tsuka is actuall quit nice, tappered towords the end. The saya is plain but fits the sword well without ratteling. I am toying with the idea of redoing the koshirae since the blade is ok and not of the super cheap nature. The current fittings are made of zinc alloy and polyester wrap.
thanks
Uwe
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