Angelic Training[O][T]
May 21, 2014 1:48:30 GMT -7
Post by Corvus on May 21, 2014 1:48:30 GMT -7
(MOAR weaponcrafting....again)
[~~/05]
The next passage talked about the assembly process. In addition to the folding of the steel, high quality Japanese swords are also crafted from various distinct sections of different kinds of steel. Known as Bao Gang, translating to 'Wrapped Steel' in China since at least the Tang Dynasty, this manufacturing style accentuates the best characteristics of different types of steel and different parts of the sword in order to produce a superior blade, far beyond what differential tempering alone could provide.
The vast majority of Japanese-style blades are crafted in the 'Muku', sometimes referred to Maru, style; the most basic form, wherein the entire sword is composed of just one type of steel. This is also the most common type of crafting overall, since few craftpeople use multiple steels for crafting swords, especially once one factors in how much easier it is just to use a single steel when using processes that involve the removal of material from a single block to form the blade. The Kobuse is the next most common type, and has been discussed before. It involves the use of two steels, the 'Hagane' or Edge Steel, a harder steel which covers the outside of the blade and forms the edge, and the Shingane, or Core Steel, a softer metal which is used in the core of the blade. This style results in a blade that's still fairly easy to make, but more durable than a Maru style blade.
A third type of steel is used in styles such as the 'Honsanmai' and 'Shihozume', called Kawagane, or Skin Steel. This, too, has been discussed before. Even with just these three types of metal there is an almost infinite number of ways to assemble the steel blade. Modern blades are often crafted from at most two or three sections of different metal, for sake of simplicity. More complex types are typically found only in antiques. Of particular note is the 'Soshu Kitae' style, used by the well known sword smith, Masamune. The Soshu Kitae is a seven layers method. in terms of composition, it's a single core of Shigane with either side of it from the back to the front composed of a very thin layer of Kawagane. The back, sides, and front, including the edge, is composed of Hagane. This results in the blade being both strong and durable, able to parry without fear of damaging the fine work of the blade. With the differential tempering applied to the edge to soften it slightly, the blade can hold it's edge well, while still being able to restore it's edge should it dull.