Need help on nakago kanji

[venger]

Greetings! I am considering purchasing a very nice looking katana, but there is a 3-character inscription on the ura of the nakago indicating the steel type that I can't translate.

 

I was hoping that someone on this forum could help?

[Nobody]

Though I am unsure about its reading or meaning, I think the kanji could read Wari-ba kitae (割刃鍛).

One meaning of Wari-ba (or Wari-ha) is a splitter. But I do not know if it makes sence or not.

[John A Stuart]

Hi venger, Koichi-san is right on the money. This is a type of blade construction that has the blade edge made with a harder steel (%carbon) and the body of the sword a softer steel. Called waribagitae. John

[venger]

Thank you gentlemen for the insightful piece of information, I really appreciate the help that fellow collectors on this forum have provided.

 

It's the first time I've seen such an inscription on a nakago.

[John A Stuart]

Me too. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Thank you gentlemen for the insightful piece of information, I really appreciate the help that fellow collectors on this forum have provided.

 

It's the first time I've seen such an inscription on a nakago.

 

Venger, if you decide for the purchase, would you kindly post some pictures of this baby please ?

[venger]

Well, I had to decide between an upcoming ski trip or a new katana, and the girlfriend convinced me otherwise.

 

However, I think the seller said that he might be listing it on eBay in the near future, so keep a lookout for it.