Tired Blade

[Klaver]

Hello,

 

I want to know what the aspects are of a “tired”blade. Not talking about flaws.

 

The first aspect I would note is a small hamachi, but this is difficult one also, you can have a blade with a small hamachi but with an excellent polish the small hamachi is also not an issue, I think.

Second are general dimensions due to overpolishing. Very small sakihaba, sakikasana, motohaba, motokasana, small Ha.

Third is suguta: blades can be wider at the hamachi compared to rest to avoid removing the hamachi.

Fourth: the Ji consitst of softer steel so the overpolishing maybe more visible at this area.

 

The Nakago area may have the original dimensions, do you think you can feel a difference between those original dimensions and the overpolished part? I have not seen much of them.

 

What else do you think about with judging a tired blade?

 

Thanks already for your feedback.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Jordy,

I'm pretty sure this has been covered before. Try a search for tired or shintetsu.

I don't call a blade tired until areas of core steel (shintetsu) start to appear. This is usually evidenced by darker, grainless areas and areas of coarse grain.

Grey

[mdiddy]

The Nakago area may have the original dimensions, do you think you can feel a difference between those original dimensions and the overpolished part? I have not seen much of them.

 

Comparing the width of the mune above the munemachi to the width of the nakago below the munemachi can provide a sense for tiredness and how polished down a blade is.

 

I agree with Grey's points. Coarse grain evolving to ware is a sign of significant tiredness.

 

Another sign can be the shape and thickness of the boshi. Kissaki were vulnerable during battle so reshaping kissaki was necessary if it lost its point. Reshaping the kissaki could have a lot of impact to the boshi, so seeing a reduced and almost non-existant boshi can be an indicator.

 

Considering what the blade originally looked like can further help assess tiredness. Nobuo Nakahara's book (http://www.amazon.com/Facts-Fundamental ... AR9A7Z6GXP) has a lot of good info in it on this subject. It would be a good read if you want to learn more.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello, one must keep in mind that certain "aspects" as they are called are a function of polish, meaning that while they can give some indication of age, they must be taken and weighed as part of a bigger whole as a polisher can change these and even use them to fool. Chips in the ha for instance can shorten the life of the Hamachi in a big hurry and does not necessarily indicate the age of the sword as being old. Kantei begins with overall shape and not any single aspect, there are Koto swords with ubu ba as another example.

[Uechi]

There is a certain amount of subjectivity into what defines a tired blade. That being said, the more you study blades particulary high end swords the more you will understand the concept. Shows are a great place to handle and examine swords. Many of these will be ones most of us could never afford. Knowledge of Nihonto comes with lots of time and lots of exposure to all types and conditions of Nihonto.

 

JDromm