(Smudge) on hamon

[Dereks]

Hi,

 

I recently found a sword at an estate sale and decided to purchase it. It’s in pretty good condition, and I’m fairly certain it’s a koto blade. However, one thing puzzles me — there are some oval, smudge-like shapes on the hamon, and I’m not sure what they are. Could this be an issue with the polish? 

 

Thank you! 

[SteveM]

Hi Derek,

 

I think nobody replied because there's not enough information at hand. The picture is almost too macro to provide any sort of context. Is it this one blemish on an otherwise spotless sword? If so, could be some discoloring left by some funky oil or some solvent that someone applied. Or maybe it had some scratches on that bit, and someone tried an amateur repair job. Too hard to say. It doesn't look like shintetsu. It also doesn't look fatal or irreparable, but whether it is worth sending to a polisher depends on the sword, and your budget.

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

THe photo is good, but as Steve says, there is only little information in it.

One thing that could explain the spot would be an attempt to erase a tiny corrosion spot or some discoloration with a fine stone, but that is speculation only. It is certainly not caused by a chemical solvent. 

[2devnul]

Maybe someone tried to do Hadori on their own to cover scratches?