Beating on my HI Katana Blem...

SamuraiDave

SamuraiDave

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
2,632
About a year ago I bought a truly wonderful blem from Uncle.

A "mid-grade" HI Katana by Durba that had been beat bent almost broke and pretty well mucked up my customs. It has a carved horn handle and is actually pretty nice once I grew accustomed to the several small inconsistancies in the blade.

However, this thread isnt to put down US customs (I believe that Uncle can do a better job than me). This thread is to explain how a bent and mucked up sword made by kamis can survive repeated, (and warrenty voidable) abuse.

I have hacked through several phone books, wood 2" rods (requireing more than 1 chop, and sticking the tip of the sword in the floor and bending it to see if it would 'snap' (At one point in time I was determined to see how well it was tempered and if the deep buffing marks would hold up against such abuse). The sword bends more than I would ask of it and returns "true" to its slightly (just a hair)bend to the right. (BTW, I had it 3 months before I realized this, it really is "just a hair", but all my bending the other way dosent do jack.)

Recently, due to its survival to all my abuse, I have become quite fond of the "ugly duckling". (Why "ugly duckling"? Well, it is a bent and broken durba... and we all know who has a large collection of over 12" Durba's now dont we? :rolleyes: ) I have begun to put a full convex edge on it and now have it up to 250 grit on each side of its 24 1/4" cutting edge (3 hours of work so far).

I am also planning on drilling out a small hole in the "white metal" spacer found just below the tsuba (or guard) and using some kinda heat source to melt out as much laha as possible and replace it with 2 ton epoxy. I have bent and beat this one so much that the guard has become loose and something is going to need to be done. I cannot remove the handle cause I already did, and replaced the laha with 2 ton epoxy on everything but the tsuba and front spacer area. (Ideas about a heat source that will not destroy horn or temper are welcome.)

My point to yall is that it will never be a pretty as others, it might never preform as well as others. But I can only imagine how much it would take to destroy this one, and only how much more it would take to destroy one that wasnt abused by customs (and me).

My advice is this. Much like firearms, everyone should own at least one real sword. (Insert Yvsa's line: "If it dont rust, I dont want it!")
 
Wait till the Duck sees this one!:eek:

I like my katana but have not put it through the same torture as you have with yours. Durba did do a good job!

Nice report Dave.:D
 
I also love my HI katana. The sword does not feel like a katana but takes on a new and different "heft". Sher made this one with a thick wood handle. I spent a couple of hours carefully sanding a thinner grip. It isn't quite there yet but damn close. I can only work on the handle when in the mood, and like sharpening, it isn't too often.:D

I have not cut anything heavy with it, my khukuris are for that, but it sure is reassuring to know it is HI "tough". Thanks for the info.
 
Like the guy on swordforums said of the HI katant he had tested, "ugly as sin but incredulously tough."
 
"Ideas about a heat source that will not destroy horn or temper are welcome"

...thought boiling water, or at least setting the handle on top of a large pot while it steams the handle (laha) off was the prefered method of the DIY folks?
 
Originally posted by BillTheCat
...thought boiling water, or at least setting the handle on top of a large pot while it steams the handle (laha) off was the prefered method of the DIY folks?
Click to expand...

Is this also the best way to remove the chape from a scabbard? I'm reluctant to just pry the thing off; I might damage something.
 
Originally posted by Tommy_Atkins
Is this also the best way to remove the chape from a scabbard? I'm reluctant to just pry the thing off; I might damage something.
Click to expand...
I hold it sideways a couple of inches over the stove burner,
turning it like a spit.
Test every few seconds to see if it's getting loose.
Push with anything except your fingers.
Once loose it almost falls off.
Don't need much heat.
A dip in boiling water would work, but takes longer.
 
24 1/4" edge. It will be interesting to see how many belts get worn out on that job - its a very ambitious task!
 
using some kinda heat source to melt out as much laha as possible and replace it with 2 ton epoxy. I have bent and beat this one so much that the guard has become loose and something is going to need to be done. I cannot remove the handle cause
Click to expand...
You might want to try heating with a propane/butane torch enough to melt the laha (doesn't take a lot of heat) and let the laha set up again. That might fix the rattle and can be done over again if needed.
Boiling water will also loosen up epoxy. I was able to salvage a stag taper off of a broken knife this way. The only damage to the stag was a short crack at the end I wiggled the tang out of. I don't know what it would do to buf horn though.
Regards,
Greg
 
Thanks for looking. While a 45" Katana would be great I do see where it wouldn't be a huge saler.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top