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Most certainly mean the blade is handmade. There are old sword blades which have no visible grain (muji hada) however, the presence of grain does
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Grain (hada) is sometimes difficult for beginners to recognize. Of forging the blade using multiple folds,etc. Japanese swords will have a visible grain in the steel of the blade. Is there visible grain (hada) in the steel of the blade? Most handmade Any so called "ninja sword" is pure fantasy. There is no historical documentation that ninja used swords which were of a special design or differed from those used by other Japanese of the period. Also many Chinese military swords are confused with Japanese swords. There are also numerous reproduction and fake Japanese swords on However, just because the blade is steel does not mean it is a genuine Japanese sword as many modern replicas are made with steel blades. If the blade is aluminum, the sword is notĪ "real" sword and certainly not an antique. When in doubt, check the blade with a magnet.
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Iaito (iai practice sword)? Many modern replicas and iaito have aluminum blades. The first question to be answered - is it a real sword or a modern replica or an For definitions of terms, check the visual glossary page. You may severely injure yourself and/or damage the sword. Do not undertake to dis-assemble a sword unless you know what you areĭoing. The blade must be examined in its entirety and not judged solely No single indicator alone will determine whether a sword blade is anĪntique or of recent vintage. NOTE: The following suggestions for determining whether a Japanese sword is old or new (WW II era or later) are only general guides. JAPANESE SWORD IDENTIFICATION - Is it old? Is it real?