Z, I wasn't trying to copy your thread. Honest! I didn't realize there already was one.
There are some historic giant choppers. The German grosse-messer comes to mind. It was actually wielded somewhat like katana, I think. I'll see if I can find a picture for you
Kei, the handle proportions are so big there, it's almost a huge nagamaki. You're right -- anything you hit with it would die. I wonder how difficult it would be to wield, though. Once you had slashed, the act of crossing your arms to turn the blade back the other way would be awkward. There are a lot of grip changes for weapons like naginata, though, that might be used with something like this. Any thoughts on technique?
Mr. Anderson, welcome, and feel free to post in this topic
The temper line, or hamon in Japanese, was often a signature feature for different smiths and schools. You can actually find books that catalog different known patterns, and the rarer or more desirable ones can make a historic piece very valuable. My humble sword, being a factory piece, doesn't even have one
Instead, it has a serial number. But I'll have to be content with it until I can afford a pricier one. That's one thing about collecting swords. It never ends. There's always another one you'd like to have.
Ammaranth