Ware

[JamesH]

Hi,

 

I was wondering if anyone has a link or images of what ware (core steel showing) looks like on a moderately polished sword?

 

I understand the flaw in itself, but have never seen exactly what it looks like. I was hoping to find out so I could identify if I come across it.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance,

James

[cabowen]

a ware is a forging flaw-literally a fissure or crack. It happens when a fold is not completely welded shut resulting in an open seam. It doesn't involve core steel....

[hybridfiat]

Try http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/information.html

[Tsugio Kawakami]

Perhaps you are confusing the term "ware" with the term "kizu"? As stated, ware is an incomplete weld. Kizu is just a flaw. Shingane/shintetsu is the kizu in which the core steel shows through.

[hybridfiat]

The term is irrelevant really, James just wants a pic or 2 of an over polished sword so he can recognise core steel.

The description I could find is a dull patch on the blade but that doesnt help much. A picture is worth a thousand words.

[Jamie]

pictures 7 and 18 Show Core steel I believe

 

http://www.nihonto.ca/ss.php?title=Muts ... -tadayoshi

[peter]

HI GUys,

James this might be an extreme case but it may help,

Peter

[Amon]

No pure core steel yet but I don't think this sword could take a new polish in the future

 

Kind regards,

[bone]

Thanks for that John. Good learning experience.

Steven Bone

[JamesH]

Hi everyone,

 

I apologise for starting a topic and not quite being present, we've just had the Queen's birthday long weekend here, and I decided to take the family for a short holiday up to the central coast.

 

Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank Chris and Tsugio Kawakami for correcting my terminology.

 

I am still getting familiar with all the correct terms for what I am attempting to express, and if no one corrects me I will NEVER learn

 

Also a big thanks to thank John, Peter and Jamie for posting the pictures. It is true a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

I do have another question though...

 

In all the examples where core steel is showing, I notice it is generally highlighted by a darker colour/color. I understand that in the majority of cases it sits below the surface of the blade, and so if it rusts the rust is only cleaned off if it is covered by horimono, but pics from Jamies link show (and it could just be my eyes) that it sits on the same level, and still has a rusty tint to it, while the remained of the blade is virtually in full polish.

 

Is core steel more volatile to oxidation or is it a darker colour/color steel?

 

Thank you all again,

 

James

[Lee Bray]

Core steel is no more prone to rusting than the surface steel.

Colour wise, carbon content makes a difference to the colour/shade of the steel, hence why you can distinguish hada.

I don't know if less carbon equals darker steel or vice versa.

 

I have a Bizen tanto from the Muromachi period that has core steel showing on one side from poor polishing.

I shall get some photos posted here in the next day or two.

It's also a reasonable example of, imo, bad hadori polish, though not just because it's hadori.

[Jamie]

The core has less carbon, being closer (not much) to iron. I would think that's why it is darker. I don't believe it's more prone to rust.

[Lee Bray]

 

This is a scan of the visible core steel on my tanto.

Apologies for the quality. Tricky getting good focus along the full length.

 

There are two large spots around the hamon, as outlined, and what you see adjacent to the mune.

You can see a 'choji' shape extending above the hadori line on the right hand side. That choji - extending partially to the right, down to the habuchi, following the habuchi all the way to the left then back to the hadori line coming to the choji - is core steel. (hope that makes sense)

It's fairly clear along the mune. Adjacent to the mune is core steel.

 

It's fairly subtle in hand and certainly not glaringly obvious. The colour change is minor.

 

Here's a link to a bigger pic if you're interested.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6168/img008qu.jpg