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Old 26th May 2015, 05:55 PM   #6
josh stout
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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I think the confusion is from the phrase "horse tooth hamon". As far as I know, the horse tooth pattern in Chinese swords is "jia gang" or inserted edge construction, while a similar wavy edge pattern, made only through differential heat treatment, is found on some Japanese swords. Chinese sabers often will have both an inserted edge and differential heat treatment, but do not usually show a fancy pattern in the heat treatment. Some show an abrupt transition while others have a slow cloudy fade in, but I have never seen anything like a horse tooth done with heat treatment. Most twist core Chinese sabers do not have an inserted edge, so this one with the horse tooth pattern is truly rare. In high polish, the heat treatment can be obvious, but also it will also show as part of a patina. I am not sure if this one shows differential edge heating, but it is still amazing.

Very, very nice
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