Tell me if this is a stupid Idea. Hamon on a Griptilian, Sword guys?

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nine4t4

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Apr 23, 2013
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20150819_142715[1] by Nine4t4, on Flickr


So I have some scales coming. Which causes a cascade of other mods. The gimping has been redone, the lanyard is going to match the scales and I started to polish the blade. I was going to polish the whole blade then decided I wanted the satin on the grind to contrast the polish of the edge.

This is where I may be going stoopid. I'm thinking of continuing the polish most of the way to the edge but leaving a sliver of satin to make a fake hamon. A machined hamon like a cheap katana, but intead I polished the rest of the blade.

Am I being an idiot putting a fake hamon on a pocket knife? If I don't like it the only solution is completely polishing the blade, but I like the textural contrasts.

p.s. to the anti-polish camp, yes the fingerprints are driving me mad and I regret it. But, in for a penny, in for a pound
 
Even though it may look nice, I don't like the idea of a fake hamon because it simply is not really there, it isn't a real boundary between metallurgical states of the steel. It's analogous to installing a turbo whistler in an exhaust pipe: it sounds like the car is turbocharged but it isn't; I also dislike silver and gold plating for the same reason. But I'm a sword person and insist that with a sword what is seen is what is real. That said, I think that if it brings you delight then go for it. You can always polish it off if you don't like it! :D
 
A lot of things done on knives is just for appearance. If you like it go for it.
 
I see your point, but I feel slightly hurt. I know its only asthetics, on level with the fake hamon on cheap swords. Now I feel like its disrespectful to those that actually use clay and fire. I was just think of it as a blade finish like sanitizing or nitride coating. Now I feel like it might be sacrilegious.

On a serious note, as a sword guy you know that many swords don't have true clay fired hamon. But your point is still valid, why fake it? The only reason is to see if I can do it. Maybe ill leave things as they are, if it doesn't work I'm just making work for myself. The hamon on my japanese swords and knives looks right the same thing would look strange on a Henkels.
 
Moved to MT&E. Please remember customized is not the same as custom.
 
I wouldn't do a fake Hamon....
Things like that kinda remind me of guys driving around in Ford Rangers with stick-on air inlets from AutoZone.

I am not sure if it's disrespectful, but it sure is cheesy.

At the end of the day though, it's your knife, if you want to stick a fake air-inlet on it, it's up to you.
 
nine4t4 said:
I see your point, but I feel slightly hurt. I know its only asthetics, on level with the fake hamon on cheap swords. Now I feel like its disrespectful to those that actually use clay and fire. I was just think of it as a blade finish like sanitizing or nitride coating. Now I feel like it might be sacrilegious.

On a serious note, as a sword guy you know that many swords don't have true clay fired hamon. But your point is still valid, why fake it? The only reason is to see if I can do it. Maybe ill leave things as they are, if it doesn't work I'm just making work for myself. The hamon on my japanese swords and knives looks right the same thing would look strange on a Henkels.
Click to expand...

Oh I don't see anything disrespectful about it at all, have fun with your knife! The sword comment was because there are so many really cheap crappy swords out there that look strong but they just fold or fall apart right away. If it invites someone to hack and chop with it, it better be able to do what it looks like it can do, I say. :p
 
You can't polish a definite boundary on the blade. It doesn't work that way.
You could polish the blade, and etch a fake hamon on it.
I can't figure why you would want to, though.
 
A real hamon is never a definitive boundary. Because the hamon is made by heat, the line is more of a zone that changes between the martensite and pearlite. Actually, if it was a defined boundary it wouldn't work. A sharp change from one to the other would actually weaken the sword. Not an issue with a fake hamon, just saying.

Etching would be the easiest method, but the line would be too sharp and have an obvious lip. But there is no challenge in the easy way. The plan was to polish to a line and then use fine work to create a notare pattern.

Why? Shits and Giggles. Sometimes life is about making rather than having
 
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I know how hamons work. I also know about polishing metal, making knives, and doing custom work on existing knives. I do it for a living.
You asked, I responded. Take it for what it's worth-but don't try to "school" me.
You asked if it was a stupid idea. It is- but I told you the easiest way to do it.
 
Don't get your knickers in a knot. Read both posts. It wasn't about 'schooling', as you say. Rather, it was more likely that your wording was off. I'm not challenging your knowledge, its your choice of diction more than anything. Not every comment or response has to be a passing contest. That and using an absolute like "can't". Difficult isn't the same as impossible.

To the moderator. Apologies. I used what I thought was best fit. Thanks for correcting it. In future I'll be less lazy when picking the category. Mea culpa.
 
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