Newbie saying HI

scottickes said:
It's all greek to me...

ickie
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I've done lots of reading on the construction of the japanese blades from various times in their history. I've always been facinated by thier smithing techniques and the beauty of the blades that they made (and still do make for the right $$$). A lot of the old stuff (except WW2 junk) is like looking at art for me. Very elegent in design.

Unlike a lot of the people in my age demographic (mid 20's and younger) that are obsesed with "katana" (which isn't even the proper term) I like them for their beauty and not for the "magical properties" that alot of the anime/imposterwood myths that always get brought up. It was almost a religous experience for the smiths and all the other people that went into the construction of all the pieces (the polisher, the handle wrapper, the scabbard maker...). The smith would do a cleansing ritual for upwards of several weeks (barely eating at times) to make sure that his mind and body were soley focused on making the blade. They aimed for perfection in all the steps that they took because someones life would depend on that blade during certain times in history. There was a specific "science" that went into every piece of the sword. Very technologically advanced for their time period in the construction of an item.

Some of the most beautiful blades that I have ever seen (in pictures) have been old japanese blades. Especially some of the old blades that were made to present to the Emporor of the time. A close second for aestetics would be damascus (patter welded) blades that have been made throughout history.
 
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