Lamination Question

Mark · 18th March 2005, 01:28 PM

It is hard to tell for sure. What makes it look sandwiched to me are the lines of lighter color running to the edge just to the right of center. The first from the left looks like it might be a crack, but the second and third look like they are threads of the outer layer continuing to the edge, which would happen if there was a crease or other depression in the middle layer at that point that was filled with metal from the outer layer during forging.

tom hyle · 18th March 2005, 01:35 PM

I'm glad you addressed those lines; I wondered about them, but couldn't decide if they were cracks, layers like you said, places where the etch got resisted by something on the surface of the blade, or flaws (although gaps and waves can be deliberate) in a temper line. As you can see, I can fit what I see of them into any theory with equal realism, so while I found them interesting, I had nothing useful to say about them.....

Ann Feuerbach · 18th March 2005, 02:54 PM

I can say with certaintly they are scratches from surface removal (grinding/polishing). They have nothing to do with lamination. Nice piece.

Ann

Spunjer · 18th March 2005, 03:10 PM

thank you for everyone's responses. i guess i have to etch it further to get a better assessment. btw, those perpindicular lines on the edge are cracks. i hope that helps for now...

Rick · 18th March 2005, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

thank you for everyone's responses. i guess i have to etch it further to get a better assessment. btw, those perpindicular lines on the edge are cracks. i hope that helps for now...

Maybe Rich would know ; I have heard these cracks referred to as 'tired steel' by a nihonto collector .

tom hyle · 18th March 2005, 11:35 PM

Really? Tired steel in my experience more commonly refers to a Japanese blade that has been repolished beyond the top skin steel, allowing lower regions that weren't meant to show to do so.

Rick · 19th March 2005, 12:12 AM

Strictly hearsay for me Tom , I defer to you .

More edge cracking :

19th March 2005, 12:12 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Strictly hearsay for me Tom , I defer to you . More edge cracking : Attached Images

18th March 2005, 01:28 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	It is hard to tell for sure. What makes it look sandwiched to me are the lines of lighter color running to the edge just to the right of center. The first from the left looks like it might be a crack, but the second and third look like they are threads of the outer layer continuing to the edge, which would happen if there was a crease or other depression in the middle layer at that point that was filled with metal from the outer layer during forging.

18th March 2005, 01:35 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I'm glad you addressed those lines; I wondered about them, but couldn't decide if they were cracks, layers like you said, places where the etch got resisted by something on the surface of the blade, or flaws (although gaps and waves can be deliberate) in a temper line. As you can see, I can fit what I see of them into any theory with equal realism, so while I found them interesting, I had nothing useful to say about them.....

18th March 2005, 02:54 PM	#3
Ann Feuerbach Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 133	I can say with certaintly they are scratches from surface removal (grinding/polishing). They have nothing to do with lamination. Nice piece. Ann

18th March 2005, 03:10 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	thank you for everyone's responses. i guess i have to etch it further to get a better assessment. btw, those perpindicular lines on the edge are cracks. i hope that helps for now...

18th March 2005, 11:35 PM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Really? Tired steel in my experience more commonly refers to a Japanese blade that has been repolished beyond the top skin steel, allowing lower regions that weren't meant to show to do so.