Shakudo Habaki?

[EdWolf]

Hi to all.

Just a short question? Is this a copper Habaki which is coated with shakudo or is it something else?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Best regards, Ed

[Mark]

yes, looks like copper with shakudo foil.  There is some school of thought that a shakudo habaki is a bad sign

[zanilu]

I am not an expert Ed but it look, as you said, a copper habaki coated with a thin foil of shakudo.

I remember a set of photos by Ford Hallam showing the replacement of such a foil on an habaki.

Unfortunately I am not able to find the link again. Sorry.

 

Regards

Luca

[EdWolf]

Thanks for the replies. Why is a shakudo Habaki a bad sign. Doesn't make sense to me.

Best regards, Ed

[Stephen]

Nor I, inquiring-minds-want-to-know.

[EdWolf]

Shakudo contains a small amount of gold (4%). How can this be a bad sign? Or am I missing something?

[Ray Singer]

The one negative I have heard regarding shakudo habaki is that polished shakudo may tend to show fingerprints. There is a craftsmen who specializes in two piece habaki with polished shakudo on the inside. They look great when clean however, like those expensive black iPhones, tend to show prints easily.

[EdWolf]

Thanks for your reply Raymond. I must admit that the black finish looks great.

[John A Stuart]

There was an old saw that two piece habaki with the inner piece being shakudo was a sign of less than desirable quality of sword. How telling this would be, I don't know, as I like the look and that may be why. A distraction? John

[Guido]

There was an old saw that two piece habaki with the inner piece being shakudo was a sign of less than desirable quality of sword.

 

That's why I always switch the watch straps on the fake Rolexes I buy in Bangkok to cheap, plastic ones - I mean, people need to know that I'm a cheapo, right?

[Bazza]

Ahhh, Guido mate...  Many a joke is said in jest (is that right???), but the last time I saw pics of anything out of your collection it was all top drawer.  You're OK mate, no wuckin furries, just keep up with the jokes/jests and occasionally throw a good picture at us slavering dogs...

 

BaZZa.

[EdWolf]

Thanks to all for your replies!

Best regards, Ed

[Geraint]

Dear All.

 

Just a thought, the shakudo foil is patinated to achieve that lovely black colour.   As the sword is drawn and re sheathed the patina is subject to wear which might account for the fact that you usually see it as the inner part of a niju habaki.

I have one sword with a habaki like the one that started this post and I have to agree it looks smart against the gilt seppa!

 

All the best.

[Dojikiri]

Years ago I owned a sword with a one piece shakudo nanako habaki, the nanako in a sunken panel with a gold yotsume mon in the centre, fabulous!

[EdWolf]

Hi dojikiri, maybe a picture. Love to see it.

[Ray Singer]

Coincidently a very nice hamidashi tanto arrived this morning with a shakudo foil habaki. The first I can recall owning in years.

 

[EdWolf]

Hi Raymond, very nice. Thanks for sharing!

Best regards, Ed

[Stephen]

Ray FMPOV its silver patinated black, but its in your hand so i trust you.

[Ray Singer]

It is difficult to see from mobile phone photos, but the copper color does show through in those areas where the patina of the shakudo has worn.

 

 

Ray FMPOV its silver patinated black, but its in your hand so i trust you.

 

[Rich S]

Ray -

I had a tanto some while ago with a shakuko foil over brass habaki. Might want to see if that  is the case with yours. Looks nice. Pics of the whole sword?

Rich

[Ray Singer]

Hi Rich, this is shakudo over a copper base. Photos of the habaki and tanto attached.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Ted Tenold]

That's why I always switch the watch straps on the fake Rolexes I buy in Bangkok to cheap, plastic ones - I mean, people need to know that I'm a cheapo, right?

 

 

Spending all that good money on plastic watch bands???  What the hell is wrong with those old shoelaces?  Mottainai!!!  

[Ted Tenold]

I heard a story once about shakudo habaki perhaps indicating the presence of a hagire in a sword, which to me makes as much sense as a black mag wheels indicating the presence of a bent frame on a car.  

 

Preference?  Style?  Fashion?  Yes.

 

Yoshindo Yoshihara seems to have shakudo foil habaki quite often.  I doubt anyone would approach him as ask if that sword he has on display is somehow inferior because of the habaki.

[Rich S]

Ray -

Nice tanto.  Forgive an old man's senility; mine was shaduko over copper also (not brass).

Rich

[nagamaki - Franco]

I heard a story once about shakudo habaki perhaps indicating the presence of a hagire in a sword, which to me makes as much sense as a black mag wheels indicating the presence of a bent frame on a car.  

 

Preference?  Style?  Fashion?  Yes.

 

Yoshindo Yoshihara seems to have shakudo foil habaki quite often.  I doubt anyone would approach him as ask if that sword he has on display is somehow inferior because of the habaki.

 

 

 

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. John F. Kennedy

 

 

[Ian]

One of my swords with a solid shakudo habaki. Definitely no hagiri!

[Stephen]

Double, lower sakudo  with mon

 

[Ray Singer]

A two piece habaki with the inner done in polished shakudo is one of Brian Tschernega's trademark workstyles.

 

 

 

[Stephen]

Had to one up me huh Ray...LOL just kidding. Always wanted one of BT habaki.

[Zaksteve]

Here is another habaki in what I believe is original koshirae, shakudo over copper.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Steve