In fact for the beginner it is best to look at the area between the ridge line running along the sword and the hamon, or flowing wave pattern. There should be evidence of a pattern of folded steel that can look like many streight lines, Wood grain, Burl wood grain etc. This is evidence that the sword is a traditional made blade. If it looks to have no pattern and is just a flat but bright steel surface then the hamon is oil quinched and was put there for "show" and had no value in strenghening the cutting edge. David
