W2 hamon, dark spine or bright spine?

B

blzwow

Joined
Nov 26, 2016
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I was wondering if some of you would explain something about hamons. I've noticed that on most finished knives the edge below the hamon line is brighter than the spine side. However, on some knives the edge side is dark while the spine side is bright? What is the difference?
Thanks for input.
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Sam Mai is made from three (san) layers (mai) When the blade is etched, the stainless steel (or a steel with a fair amount of nickle or chrome ) will etch a lighter color than the plain carbon steel. Same goes for the layers in pattern welded steel.
Jim A
 
I think it has to do with the maker's choice of etching and polishing.
what part they choose to polish and how,
I've only done it a few times but in this 1095 set I polished the lower hardened portion

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DAMNENG said:
Sam Mai is made from three (san) layers (mai) When the blade is etched, the stainless steel (or a steel with a fair amount of nickle or chrome ) will etch a lighter color than the plain carbon steel. Same goes for the layers in pattern welded steel.
Jim A
Click to expand...
The question wasn't about san mai or pattern welded steel. It was why hamons have different looks to them, and it can be a number of reasons, but as already mentioned, the etching/polishing technique probably the biggest variable.
 
Well crap, sorry about the right answer to the wrong question.
My apologies, thank you for pointing out my error. I will read more carefully in the future.
Jim A.
 
There are a variety of etching/colouring compounds. The togishi will decide which to use to get the desired effect. The final polishing stages in shiagi-togi will determine what is bright and what is dark. Normally, the edge is bright and the area above the hamon darker. Properly done, the hamon will be white and cloudy.

When you see a dark edge and a bright spine it is almost always a san-mai blade. The core is carbon steel and the cladding is either stainless, or rubbed down with 3000 grit paper or polish after etching the whole blade ( making the very dark edge). While it may look cool, it will not last at all in use.
 
Ferric chloride etches quite differently from a hybrid polish. Different processes have different results.
 
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