Hamon question

[izafireman]

I am sure someone ill be able to answer this.

When a Japanese blade such as a Samurai is made, is the Hamon due to the effect of the differences in temperature when quenching or is it because you can see boundary changes in the folds of the metal one the blade has been polished? Hope this makes sense.

 

[Chris Railey]

In very general terms, The hamon is a result of differing temps (and therefore differing hardnesses) in the quench. Normally, even in the old Japanese times, It is a result of an edge only quench or applying clay to the blade. The resulting line is accentuated by etching the steel in acid. Acid will etch the harder steel darker than the softer steel. There are many metallurgical processes involved in creating a hamon but this is the simple answer.

 

[izafireman]

In very general terms, The hamon is a result of differing temps (and therefore differing hardnesses) in the quench. Normally, even in the old Japanese times, It is a result of an edge only quench or applying clay to the blade. The resulting line is accentuated by etching the steel in acid. Acid will etch the harder steel darker than the softer steel. There are many metallurgical processes involved in creating a hamon but this is the simple answer.

Thanks for the reply.