Chip on ha machi

[Stephen]

Ive ran across this several times I just wondered if it was the thing or just happen stance on all of them.

[ChrisW]

I have a few blades that have damage like that. As far as I am aware, when a sword strike occurs on the habaki, it bites into it and often damages the blade underneath it; then the habaki is typically replaced. Here is an example where the original habaki is kept and you can see the damage to the blade under it:

http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/katanainfight.html

[Vermithrax16]

Slapping blade down hard on shirasaya or saya often the culprit. Super annoying and a serious put off to me on a blade.

[Ken-Hawaii]

  On 3/16/2022 at 10:01 PM, ChrisW said:

http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/katanainfight.html

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These were not skilled swordsmen, which is why the burglars lost the fight. Jeremiah is right that Stephen's nick was likely caused by stupidly slapping the blade down.

[ChrisW]

  On 3/17/2022 at 12:07 AM, Ken-Hawaii said:

These were not skilled swordsmen, which is why the burglars lost the fight. Jeremiah is right that Stephen's nick was likely caused by stupidly slapping the blade down.

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Makes sense!

[Brian]

Have seen many, own a few. I'm guessing that edge is a weak point for sloppy habaki fit or handling.
 

[sabiji]

I'm with Brian on this one. The Ha-Machi is a very sensitive place. A sloppily made and not correctly fitting habaki can quickly cause damage here.

[Stephen]

Ok i understand the habaki as the culprit.,

When you say slamming down are you talking about putting it back in saya to hard?

[Brian]

I suspect dropping the blade downwards with the tsuka vertical.