undermilkwood

Thanks again for the information, it helps fill in the voids. :D All the best Joe

Ok so it's a form of passivation. Thanks for that John , so if well maintained there is no real danger to the blade. Is there a kantei term for this type (ii) rust, just as an after thought, used when determining the age of the piece? All the best Joe

Thanks remzy :D I wasn't talking about swinging em around, but in the normal course of handling do you know what exactly happens for the metal to age in this way? I've never seen it anywhere else.

I don't want to get a reputation on the forum for asking irrelevant questions but I have no one else to ask...... When it comes to old koto and shinto blades where the rust has taken that fine (almost) black patination, is there any risk that the rust might weaken the metal to the point where the nakago just snaps off or is in danger of snapping off? I'm interested to know how this rust differs from your common all garden rust. Thanks again for your eternal patience with us curious novices. All the best, Joe

Thanks for the link Brian So the blade was cut down and filed into shape? It makes sense really, must have been quite a job. Joe

I've just been reading a thread about Osuriage on the forum when a question popped into my mind (small as it is)...... In the process of shortening the blade I assume there would be reshaping of what will become the nakago area of the blade involving some kind of reforging? Is that right or is it filed down? If it's the former then does/can this affect the hamon in any way? (ie: if a smith happened to overheat the blade during the process) Sorry for the weird question guys but...... Joe.

Sorry I read the first page only thinking in my tiredness that there was only one page So I didn't see the decent pictures of the mei or any subsequent posts. Please forget about the above comment. My Bad Joe

It doesn't seem altogether clear does it? Could it perhaps be Masa? 政 Just a long shot guys I'll leave it to the experts Joe

Thanks for the correction on the title and thanks for the link to the link which laid to rest my questions. All the best from Joe

This book has been listed as a good source of information on lineage of koto masters on samuraisword.com does anyone know anything more about it? Is it readily available in reprint?

I have to agree Mr Rowson 70 million chinese people died during Mao's rule and that was in peace time, no one condones any acts of war and men of gentle blood shy away from glorifying war but EVERY country has it's atrocities, why single out one from many?

Taking the nanny state to the next level. What next??? A ban on pointy sticks? Kitchen knives over three inches? Or perhaps we'll all be ordered to walk around in full body armour at all times to prevent accidental injury.