Faceted Tips on Chinese Swords? (Split from HOS Catalogue thread)

[tsubame1]

Originally Posted by josh stout

This thread has what looks like interesting information, but I don't read Chinese.

http://hfsword.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=17059

There is a very nice example of a Tang dao in excavated condition with a medial ridge. The tip is unclear, but it is rounded in shape. Would a tip have to be a straight line to be considered faceted, or would you consider a separately polished curved tip faceted?
Josh

I think you refer to the second sword.
Yokote on swords with "fukura" (rounded tip) appeared (in Japan) only after
the straight line ones, but the matter works the same way. The smith places
a different plane on that area when smithing the point.
Polish is a secondary matter. When a blade begin "tired" (too much polishes)
the Togishi (polisher) can place a "cosmetic" only yokote to maintain the
visual appeal, but in origin the Yokote is presernt because of different
planes are put on that area, an id only highlighted by the polisher.
I reality, even if not polished, yokote is there anyway (if the blade is made
in Shinogizukuri style).
Being this chinese I'm not sure it had a yokote even if it has a ridge line.
A close up of the tip possibly would give us some hint, but the conditions
are quiet wrong... Interesting pictures with the "rounded work" ring pommel
that confirm their continental nature...