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O Hada or "Hard Hada"

Blazeaglory
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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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I always understood that this was a larger itame hada than the rest of the blade and also a little rougher. However this opinion is based on what I have read or been told rather than seen

 

Thats what I was thinking as well. Basically just one bigger itame "swirl" 3" above mune machi?

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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Kotetsu and his tekogane. Take a look at the photo from the blade and where to find it.

 

Uwe G.

 

 

Interesting, I pictured it more like the hada in the pic below

 

Do you think this is an attempt to reproduce Kotetsu's Ohada? I found this picture from someone who claimed to have found a Kotetsu at a garage sale

post-4634-0-94192100-1579987129_thumb.png

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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My sword mentor has a Kotetsu, & yes, there's o-hada on both sides, although not exactly opposite. In hand, those areas really do look literally "rougher."

Thanks. So it's something he did on purpose, almost like a signature right?

 

Could something like that get polished away after so many polishes? Just wondering if it's only on the skin or through the entire blade.

 

The more I read about Kotetsu, the more I'm intrigued.

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paulb Grand Master

paulb

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Just thinking it through I don't think O-hada could be polished away. What would be more likely to happen is that as you polished the weld lines would open and become more visible until ultimately core steel showed through.

I recently did a write up on a Kotetsu wannabe and one of the factors that confirmed to me it wasn't an authentic work was the lack of this feature. Every blade I have studied (admittedly on paper not in hand) has this as part of it's description. If it isn't there be doubtful.

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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It's a good question, Dwain, & something he & I have discussed. My mentor's katana has certainly seen some polishes, but the o-hada is still clear, so it's far past skin-deep.

 

 

Just thinking it through I don't think O-hada could be polished away. What would be more likely to happen is that as you polished the weld lines would open and become more visible until ultimately core steel showed through.

I recently did a write up on a Kotetsu wannabe and one of the factors that confirmed to me it wasn't an authentic work was the lack of this feature. Every blade I have studied (admittedly on paper not in hand) has this as part of it's description. If it isn't there be doubtful.

 

 

Very interesting! Almost like early fraud prevention lol

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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After learning all this, I chose to look at one of my wakizashi that resembles a Kotetsu. The forging is so tight that there are no kitae-ware, or very tiny and few, even in the bohi. Its hard to find any pattern on the ji because it's smooth as glass and always looks wet but the jihada that can be seen points to Kotetsu. The Nakago, 2 different hamon's and Boshi point to kotetsu as well. The only pattern that really stands out from the rest is what looks to be Ohada, roughly 3 inches from the mune machi. Other than some minor scratches and old polish, its in great shape and as sharp as my early Mino/Shizu blade, if not sharper.

 

Now before I get crucified and the usual members start slanging insults or jumping to conclusions, I'm not saying its a genuine Kotetsu. What I am saying is every Kantei I've done on this always finishes at Kotetsu.

 

I'm well aware of his fame and the majority of counterfeits. I'm still a rookie in the Nihonto world but I've handled my fair share of blades in person and have examined hundreds online, as well as read constantly. I know quality when I see it and this wakizashi is quality.

 

So, imho, this wakizashi is either one of his unsigned, from his school and someone close to him or a forgery by a really good smith who was familiar with Kotetsu style.

 

Please, if you're going to debate, which I welcome, please do it respectfully using Kantei points and not just heresay or bitterness. I say this because many times, even now, I've seen others claim fake or not genuine mei based off pictures while the blade was actually papered to the smith the person said was not.

 

Anyways, please forgive my ramble and feel free to critique. I'm not trying to say I own a Kotetsu or brag, I only want to talk Nihonto using a blade that's close to me

post-4634-0-41346400-1580066215_thumb.jpg

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CSM101 Proficient

CSM101

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Dear Dwain,

 

It simply doesn´t work that way. You give us maybe 5 cm of a blade and then you want a proper kantei. There are more points than just tekogane or something that looks like that.

If you want an answer than show the blade someone you can trust. Or send the blade to Japan. I don´t want to give you an anwser. Or if my life would hang on it then I

would give you a Thumbs down. Simply because hada and hamon are not consistent enough. But like I wrote: send the blade to Japan.

 

Uwe G.

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Lance Proficient

Lance

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I'd like to place a guess (that nobody asked for) as to how this large portion of hada originated, As the sunobe was first drawn out from the billet the smith decides where the nakago and blade start and that point gets the extra hammering (in both directions) creating the stretched larger area of hada. After that the rest of the blade gets drawn out consistently and shaped as usual. As a master smith this quirk became a routine part of his forging regimen,enough to make it a kantei point.

Regards,

Lance

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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No, its not a Kotetsu. Don't take my word on it, especially based on a photograph. But it is not a high quality sword. Jigane varies randomly, hamon is in nioi save for some sparkles of nie here and there.

 

Kirill R.

 

So one person says they need more pics for a proper kantei but I guess you got it all figured out from this pic alone.

 

Like I said, not trying to brag, but every time a person comes over and looks at the blades I have listed for sale, they always choose this one (which isnt for sale). Last week I was offered 2000$ for this "not high quality" mumei sword. I guess that must be the going rate for horrible swords then haha

 

Anyways, Im not opening this can of worms again...Forget I even mentioned it

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Blazeaglory Mentor

Blazeaglory

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Dear Dwain,

 

It simply doesn´t work that way. You give us maybe 5 cm of a blade and then you want a proper kantei. There are more points than just tekogane or something that looks like that.

If you want an answer than show the blade someone you can trust. Or send the blade to Japan. I don´t want to give you an anwser. Or if my life would hang on it then I

would give you a Thumbs down. Simply because hada and hamon are not consistent enough. But like I wrote: send the blade to Japan.

 

Uwe G.

 

Have at it. There are more pics if you explore my Flickr page.

 

And like I said before, Im not saying its Kotetsu. And yes I plan on sending this blade to Japan for next shinsa.

 

And btw, I know how it works and I didnt ask for an answer from you or anyone else here and could care less what you personally think TBH. With all due respect.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blazeaglory/albums/72157704244397475

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