Tamahaganae on ebay.

[Henry Stewart]

Gentlemen;

 

There is a piece of Tamahaganae on Ebay, 190316310833, did I hear that someone was after a piece a while back?

 

Henry

[DirkO]

Nice catch Henry !

 

1 kg is quite a lot imo. I already have a piece, but I'm sure a there are a lot of lurkers out there

The seller even has 2 pieces up for grabs.

 

For their sake :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190316102317

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190316310833

[Ted Tenold]

Doesn't look like two pieces, just the same piece on a UK and US auctions(?). I hope the shipping on the US is a mistake at $640.00!

 

The price on this piece of unrefined iron and carbon is pretty proud in my opinion. Not enough to make anything. It takes about 10+ pounds of raw material to make enough steel for a sword and for a composite construction, two different billets of refined material would be required. Might get a kogatana out of this chunk. Otherwise it's a very expensive paper weight. :|

[DirkO]

Hi Ted,

 

The little chunk I have is only 700 grams. But I didn't buy it as a basis to produce something with. It's merely to show people (and myself) the raw material these blades were made from and why it's called jewel steel. And I think that people who are interested in buying this item, are of the same idea. About the price : well that's up to people to decide for themselves.

[Guido]

... and why it's called jewel steel.

I hear that expression every so often in regard to Tamahagane and still wonder why

[b.hennick]

There is a mistake in the shipping charge. It is only $40 not $140. I have communicated with the owner. He has tried unsuccessfully to correct the error.

[DirkO]

... and why it's called jewel steel.

I hear that expression every so often in regard to Tamahagane and still wonder why

 

 

Hi Guido,

 

This straight from Wikipedia :

 

Tamahagane (玉鋼:たまはがね?) is a type of Japanese steel. Translated as "jewel steel".

 

Besides the wiki bit, the chunk I have shows off every conceivable color (gold, greenish, blueish,...), so it's not hard to understand why they call it like that.

[Guido]

... ,so it's not hard to understand why they call it like that.

Maybe I'm a little daft, but I fail to see the juwels. IMO it's a mistranslation of 玉. But seeing what's going on in the Kanenami thread, it's probably better to stay away from etymology and such for a while ...

[Guido]

P.S.: Testicles are called Tama in Japanese, so maybe that's where the connection with jewels comes from? :D

[Lorenzo]

kintama, golden balls