1700s Katana with two hagire

[blades87]

Came across this blade yesterday: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

 

"The blade does have two small cracks near the habaki step. If this area is reworked, the cutting edge is 23.0" and the tang is lengthened by the same amount (1.5") The width of the blade is 1.25" at the habaki and the thickness at this point is .28"."

 

From what I understand about hagire, it is a fatal flaw that normally results in the blade being scrapped and re-forged. In this case, the seller states that you can re-work the nagasa to shorten it by 1.5 inches. I find this a bit difficult to believe because you need to polish the mune, shinogiji and ha down while extending the length of the nagako.

 

Also, from what I understand about hagire, is that if you find one, there are probably more hagire.

 

So, the question I raise is would it be feasible to rework a blade as described by the seller?

 

 

Cheers,

 

Toby

[Mark Green]

Hi,

I would think he is talking about moving the machi forward past the cracks.

This would make the Nakago a bit longer, but keep the sword alive, Now in Wakizashi lenght.

Not a difficult fix for any polisher.. Unless the crack is very deep, and would make the sword unsafe.

Just looking at the pics, I would think this one could be saved. ???

Mark G

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

Also, from what I understand about hagire, is that if you find one, there are probably more hagire.

 

This also raises the question to ask yourself, what lead to these hagiri in the first place?

[blades87]

Good point, Franco.

 

From a forging process perspective, it could be caused by poor steel or using a hardening method that resulted in the edge becoming brittle.

 

From an owner perspective, it could be from using it incorrectly when striking an object in the past or it could be from an owner who used an old blade as a practice weapon.

 

At last look the blade was selling for over $400.

[O koumori]

Hello,

Just to help my understanding, if an edge crack does not pass though the tempered edge it is not a hagire? For example, If a slight edge crack occurs below the ha-machi, or anywhere in the nakago, is is considered to be a fatal flaw?

 

Thanks for the assistance!

Dan K.

[Gunome]

Hi,

 

Hagiri are due to the tension of steel the when the blade is quenched. Nakago is not quenched so there is no hagiri in nakago. It is just for hamon part. Of course, there is exception : suriage blade, ...

BTW, an hagiri is possible below ha machi. A Hagiri is still a fatal flaw.

 

Sébastien

[Stephen]

Hagiri are due to the tension of steel the when the blade is quenched

Not all Hagiri are from forging flaw, one can also see them arrive from battle blows.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Not all Hagiri are from forging flaw, one can also see them arrive from battle blows.

 

Hello,

 

Agree, it would be incredibly difficult to believe a sword smith would sign his name, let alone two sword smiths signing their name, to a sword that had suffered from a hagiri at the time the sword was quenched. Sword smiths listen very intently for that cracking sound when they quench the sword indicating a hagiri had formed, it is highly doubtful a hagiri would somehow be missed, on top of which the polisher would certainly catch it afterward. Come on folks, this information is out there, spend more time studying.

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

You are right, sorry for this mistake

 

Sebastien

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

You are right, sorry for this mistake

 

Sebastien

 

no worries, sometimes we get a little cranky when up too late, cheers