etched temperline over real soguha temperline ???

[Jock]

Hi Folks,

 

I came across a blade and the present owner claims that the etched temperline is done over a real soguha temperline ??? Decoration? Is this possible? Was that a common practise? And an additional statement is what he says about brass.....?

 

He also claimed that I quote: "I USE THE Japanese METHOD OF PULLING BRASS ACROSS THE SHARP EDGE, WHEN IT BITES, IT HAS TEMPER, CANT GET GOOD PHOTO OF BOSHI, BUT YOU CAN SEE IT BENEATH THE WAVY LAID OVER ETCHED WAVY TEMPER, THE REAL IS SUGUHA, THE TIP BITES, I LEARNED THIS FROM A OLD SWORD COLLECTOR Japanese MAN !"

 

As I'm in the novice state of knowledge - I'd like to not give my personal opinion (that would be unfounded in the best) but await your appreciated comments.......

 

Thank you for the lesson!

 

Regards,

 

Jock

[Jock]

pic

[Grey Doffin]

Even mild steel is harder than brass, thus any sharpened sword, whether tempered or not, will cut into brass.

Can't tell enough about the sword from the one picture; sorry.

Grey

[John A Stuart]

Well Jock, I had a blade that according to Mr. Benson, who I believe, had the true hamon fall off the edge,but was fixed to look ok. The perpetrator or should I say purveyor said he performed the penny test (an old way to prove copper is softer than steel ) and it proved the hamon was there. All it really proves is copper pennys are cut by steel hardened or not. Brass is soft too. John

[Jock]

Thanks folks,

 

.....just along the line of what I thought.....the main point that basseled me was why somebody would put a fake temperline over a real one.....well given the real one is barely 2mm and at some places even less.....it makes sense (from a doggy seller's point of view!)

 

Regards,

 

Jock

 

Erare humanum est!

[Brian]

Jock,

 

It is an intriguing thought that there might be an artificial etched hamon over a real one. Maybe done during the war. Unlikely...but every rule has its exceptions.

If it were me, I would be looking at the mounts and the nakago to tell me the story. Is it in D-Guard Kyu Gunto mounts that often held artifically etched blades? Something else that usually housed etched blades? The nakago will show you if it has any age, and therefore the likelyhood that it had a real hamon at some stage. Blade sugata will also help with seeing if the blade has any age. The hi will also tell a lot if it is well cut.

Too little to go on right now.

 

Brian