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Construction methods of Japanese swords
This article will describe several methods by which the Japanese joined higher and lower carbon steels into their blades.
Hairpin forging
Collector's term for a type of blade forging mostly seen in the Himalayas.
Thur
Tibetan term for their "hairpin forging" of blades.
Shihōzume-gitae (四方詰め鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a high carbon edge, low carbon core, medium carbon sides and a separate back.
Hon-sanmai-gitae (本三枚鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a high carbon edge plate under a soft core, flanked by medium steel.
Sanmai-gitae (三枚鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a center high carbon edge plate.
Wariha-gitae / wariba-gitea (割刃鍛え)
Japanese term for a sword construction with an inserted edge made of higher carbon steel.
Hyoshigi-gitae (拍子木鍛え)
Japanese term for a sword construction with an edge made of higher carbon steel.
Shin jūgomai kōbuse-gitae (真十五枚甲伏鍛え)
Japanese sword construction that is was found inscribed on some tangs.
Kōbuse-gitae (甲伏せ鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with high carbon steel outer jacket around a softer core.