Lewis B Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 A blade has peaked my interest but I noticed a crack along the nakago starting under the habaki. Only on one side and appears to be about 2cm long. It does have recent NBTHK Hozon Papers. Gendaito. Quote
Alex A Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 That would put me off. Its not unusual to see flaws, open grain whatever in nakago, but that looks a step too far. Re-sale could be an issue. Quote
Lewis B Posted September 11 Author Report Posted September 11 That was my feeling. Its not an open forge weld, more like a stress fracture during the manufacturing process. Quote
Alex A Posted September 11 Report Posted September 11 Its not like its going to break in half but its really undesirable, probably fatal to your wallet only 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted September 12 Report Posted September 12 If it breaks after a blow, it will break there. So not recommended for battle use. Quote
Lewis B Posted September 12 Author Report Posted September 12 My guess, looking at the direction of the fissure, is that there was metal fatigue after quenching and that when the chisel was used it caused the stress fracture to open. Unlucky day at the office for the smith. Quote
John C Posted September 13 Report Posted September 13 This area here to me suggests the crack happened after the mei was chiseled in. But what was the date on the papers? Could someone have dropped the blade after the papers were issued that caused the crack? I wouldn't take a chance on it. John C. Quote
Lewis B Posted September 13 Author Report Posted September 13 Not so sure. Hozon papers from 2022. The photo on the paper shows the defect, so it was preexisting. The image isn't clear due to the resolution but I think it can be seen. Blade was polished between Shinsa submission in 2022 and now. Quote
When Necessary Posted September 13 Report Posted September 13 IMHO, this is just an unsightly opening in the lamination (and it's not even really 'unsightly' because it's hidden inside the tsuka 98% of the time). Your sole picture enlarges this one flaw and so, of course, it looks bad - but we have no idea of the rest of the blade. It may be absolutely stunning and by a noted gendai smith. If that is the case I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if the price were fair. 1 Quote
When Necessary Posted September 20 Report Posted September 20 Hi Lewis, Do you mind me enquiring what you decided on this sword? I'm very curious as to how it all turned out. 😀 Dee 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted September 20 Author Report Posted September 20 Yes, decided to get it. Negotiations ongoing. 1 Quote
When Necessary Posted September 21 Report Posted September 21 Good luck! Can't wait to see it if you're successful. 👍 1 Quote
Brano Posted September 21 Report Posted September 21 On 9/12/2025 at 10:06 AM, Lewis B said: My guess, looking at the direction of the fissure, is that there was metal fatigue after quenching and that when the chisel was used it caused the stress fracture to open. Unlucky day at the office for the smith. The steel in the nakago area is not quenched and the temperature is also significantly lower compared to the part of the blade where the edge is created after quenching. Quote
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