First Gendaito, Kuniyasu

[Hastur]

Hey guys I finally got my hands on a water quenched showato. I believe it is made by Mano Kuniyasu. Let me know what you think it looks pretty flawless except for what looks like a ware or something from under the Habaki section. Interestingly there is a diamond punch out on the end of the Nakago.

[Hastur]

Full shot

[Bruce Pennington]

That's gorgeous Brad! Your collection is growing!

 

Saw your post on the stamp. All I can say is the list of "unknowns" is growing. Thanks for adding it to the Stamps thread.

[Hastur]

Thanks I'm looking for the stamps origin now. Is it normal/Okay to have a ware like that in the area under the habaki? 

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm not sure what you mean by wear/ware under the habaki. Do you mean those horizontal lines?

[Hastur]

There is a really curvy line (doesn' go through and is not straight so no crack) in this picture. Near to where the polish ends and the nakago patina begins.

[Bruce Pennington]

Ok, I see that, but have no idea what caused it. Don't think that is common, as you asked, but I don't see it as a problem either.

[tokashikibob]

Looks good Brad,  You've been looking for awhile!  I would not worry about the little line,  looks like a minor delamination in a area not seen.   The Shinae wrinkle patch can't be seen either so that's a good thing!   Nice and pointy with no chips that is the way to get them!!!

 

Congrats,

  Bob

[IJASWORDS]

Just be careful it isn't a rewelded break, and regrind. Not sayin' it is, because photos make it hard to tell. I have seen a few repaired like that in the same area over the years. Hope its OK.   

[Hastur]

How would I check for a weld job? Any telltale signs? I'l try to get better pics of the nakago.

[Hastur]

Here is a photo of the other side that is more clear of rust, does it look alright?

[PNSSHOGUN]

I think you're fine, just a small forge opening.

[Hastur]

Awesome I was worried it was something serious. Would I be able to get some help with a full translation? I am guessing Mano Kuniyasu from other example but there are some questionable characters in there.

[IJASWORDS]

PHEEEWWW. Looks good from that side. So probably only a opened lamination.

[Hastur]

It looks like a pretty good blade. The tag says the first characters read "bishu" but I don' think they do. Anybody recognize which Kuniyasu this might be?

[Bruce Pennington]

Brad, hopefully a real translator will chime in (otherwise I'd take it to the Translation help forum on this site), but I agree. It looks more like "Bushu" to me.

[Hastur]

Double Post*

[Hastur]

Okay guys another question. Does this look like an open grain or shallow pitting? It does not seem deep like the earlier ware so is this a ware in the ha?

[SwordGuyJoe]

Hey Brad,

Nice pick up. That could be a ware, but could just be some gunk. I would use alcohol as close to 100% as possible and try to clean it off. Then look at it again.

[Hastur]

The pictures were taken after I cleaned it up with some wd40 followed by a thin coat of tuff glide and microfiber. It's weird because it looks shallow (shines in the light unlike the ware on the nakago, I have seen) could it be course grain? I am hoping it is not a serious problem it being in the Ha.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Brad, I would avoid using wd40 on nice swords, there's a thread all about different cleaning products in the general nihonto section and WD40 is too harsh.

[Hastur]

oh, I hope the WD won't damage anything, will it? Is Isopropyl 99% good for cleaning the blade of any remaining WD?

 

hmmm, what are the differences between coarse grain and ware openings? is it that Ware reach the core steel and look like dark cracks?

[PNSSHOGUN]

Pure alcohol with microfiber cloth/good quality tissues is pretty much bombproof.

[David Flynn]

Not just any alcohol,  Isopropyl 99% or higher.

[vajo]

Hi David higher than 99% is impossible.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi David higher than 99% is impossible.

I'd say it's impossible as well but you might also disagree if you had tried my friends homemade liquor before

[lonely panet]

Im with john, dads home made Grappa or slivovitz is very possibly 110% APV.

 

i

[David Flynn]

Not here in Oz....https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IsoPropyl-Alcohol-100-Rubbing-Alcohol-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Isopropanol-5-Litre/232520331915?epid=24009908733&hash=item36234ab28b:g:bJ4AAOSwIspabqYO

[Dave R]

I would take that with a pinch of salt! Very high percentages of alcohol absorb water from the air, so it "might" be 100% (more likely 99%) when it leaves the factory but as soon as you open the container.......

 

 Which is why I transfer mine to smaller bottles for frequent use (on blades) to reduce dilution.

[vajo]

Alcohol wants to take water from air. Pure Alcohol (called absolute alcohol) dust out on air. Google for it.