Breaker designed to break?

[Spartancrest]

I don't know if this belongs in tosogu or over on nihonto - not really either? 

I just came across this "Helmet breaker" https://www.jauce.com/auction/g1119004160  Now for something designed to give a hefty whack or designed to deflect one - this screams out to me to be rather designed to break at the first time it was used.

Any comments on the structural integrity of such a "decorative" tool?

[Tanto54]

Hi Dale, do some research on kenukigata-tachi (tweezer handled tachi).  They have this same "slot" in their tsuka for a very practical reason (hint: resonance).  I think that the weapon that you posted is a combination jutte and helmet breaker and it would have no problem causing a concussion or denting/poking a hole through 99% of Samurai helmets big enough to reach and damage the skull (without breaking the weapon).  Remember that helmets are actually very thin metal...

[1kinko]

Not my field but at least one non-invasive study of armor reported it was not quench treated.

[Baka Gaijin]

This does not look old.

The majority of "Helmet Breakers" that I have seen on the market over the years look to be Meiji Tourist items, in a few, (On close inspection) the points are malformed, almost blunted, indicating soft iron stock being used.

 

[Brian]

Agree with Malcolm. More than a handful are signed Masamune too.

[Baka Gaijin]

Also have a look at the Inome piercings they look like "Love Hearts" not Boars eyes 猪目.

 

I am drawn to the opinion of enthusiastic Hobbyist or Chinese manufacture.