Q,What is the most obvious sign of a fake?
A,the price,I know of no correctly handforged katana for sale
in the uk under £100
Q,why handforged?
A,the forging and hardening/tempering process produces a
blade suitable for practical use safely and able to withstand the rigours of tameshigiri (test cutting).rolling or pressing
of steel does not.
Q,how to spot a real hamon?
A,the picture above shows a wire brushed fake,look at the
pictures of my RGW 1095 KATANA to see what a real clayed hamon looks like.
Q,Do I need to take apart my katana
every time I clean it
A,No,this is only required for changing of tsuba or to check condition of the tsuka and nakago,careful
inspection of the mekugi must be done when they are removed to check their condition.
Q.Can I store my katana for long
periods.
A.This is not a problem as long as the blade has been protected using suitable oil or even grease for very long
periods.When using the katana for the first time after long storage be sure to check all parts thoroughly paying special attention
to the tsuka as this is made of wood and can shrink if dried out too much which can lead to cracking.
