Brian

Hi, Let me try and address some of these while I have a gap. Agree. Google adverts is easier under the new software and it will be one of the ways I look to increase funds, but will try and keep it a bit discreet. Again, easy to do and I would like to do that. I could even set up a member category for people who want to be able to post hi res images. BUT, the problem is server space. Can you imaging how fast that would increase if people could upload 5 - 20 meg images? It can be done, but not without significant hosting cost to take server space. If I can be confident in getting in another $100 or so a month, I can do it, but that is quite a few new subscriptions. Agree. But it needs to be policed, there is no automatic way to monitor that. Unless we create a For Sale section that is only postable by Gold members, and another that is for regular members. The advantage is that Gold members are usually vetted by the community or generally well known and are trusted a bit more. But how would people feel about that? Can't think of a practical way to make that happen, with the limitations of the software. I'd have to investigate. Sales and Sellers is usually where people can search for someone's reputation. Maybe I need to have a more dedicated section for Go/No Go sellers and buyers. But that comes with some controversy attached. I have no "IN" with the NBTHK and sometimes wonder if they know we exist or care. If someone has contacts and would like to approach them, I'm all in for it. I'll check this out, it may be worthwhile to look at. Already the search delay for non Gold members is some incentive to take a membership. Would love to do this. Its a bit mean though, and I can see non members just getting the files from Gold members in private. But it really is fair, considering the quality of the downloads we have there. Maybe I should severely restrict the intervals etc of downloads for non Gold members? Again, I would love to do this. Happy to advertise new books and products if authors etc will give a discount to members or Gold members here. But that is up to the museums and authors etc, and I am stuck in SA without access to most of these people. Can you imagine if someone could arrange a DTI entry discount to Gold members or museum entry etc etc? I'd be down for it in any way, and provide promotion, but need people who can assist with contacting them.

It is nothing but superb, and is going to be monumental to the study of these swords. Our thanks go out to Sam for this. I can see people wandering sword shows with this on their phones to compare features.

I'll try go through them point by point over the weekend. But some of them are excellent ideas, and others are limited by what the software can do, and I can't do it all manually. Some of the stuff there can be done in the new software that I am waiting to update to, but we aren't making much progress towards the $500 that the major update requires, so a lot of it is pending along with a ton of other features people will like. As far as hi res image hosting etc, that would likely also add another $100 a month to the hosting bills so I would need to make sure we don't go backwards. We already have a crazy number of attachment files hosted, well in the high hundreds of thousands, and most hosting comments have been "what the hell....you have allowed HOW MANY files uploaded??" Yeah, 18+ years sure does increase the number of attachments, especially when they are fairly unrestricted. The rest, I'll go through later, thanks for the comments.

Hasn't been polished down much, we are just seeing the part of the nakago that was once blade, and is heavily tapered.

No, definitely not.

Some very nice work there!

Knife collectors will tell you that few of us keep expensive knives in their leather sheaths. Often the steel handles it well, but the brass fittings can suffer. I'm with Ed, you won't know what your leather supplier used, best to be safe.

Brilliant detective work as always Moriyama san

I have been advised of the passing of Brian Klingbile (Username Winchester) by his wife. She had this to say: "This is Brian's wife, Sarah.....Unfortunately, Brian has passed away. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful forum. Brian was new to collecting, and was excited not only to connect with others with similar passions, but to have access to learning opportunities for his new passion. What you have here is amazing, and I wanted to let you know that you make a positive impact on people's lives even if you don't hear this on a regular basis. Thank you for being so welcoming to Brian. I have attached Brian's obituary in case you or anyone else was interested in it. I don't know who Brian all connected with (or to what level), so I will leave announcing or contacting others up to you. I am comfortable with this information being shared. https://www.zimmerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/brian-klingbile " Our condolences go out to those who knew him, may he RIP.

Leather is the easiest to fake, seen sooo many fake swords with what looks like 80 year old leather. Wet molded and aged a bit, and it looks ancient. I suspect they have people who do just that all day. Some fake combat covers look better than the real thing. I'm guessing labour and materials are so cheap there, that it means nothing to do a half decent job. Either way, your next one will be better. But it's vital to look at some real ones, then the fakes become very very obvious.

AI is full of shit. That's the bottom line. It's clearly a repro, and that was fairly clear without the nakago. We are very far from a world where AI can give you an accurate assessment of swords.

It is, as far as I know. I'll message you contact details of the owner.

Phew. That is about as basic as it gets....wow. Interesting sear arrangement though, first homemade pistol I've seen with that through-sear like that. Would work well as a percussion piece.

Yeah, It's authentic. Just out of polish and of mediocre quality. But likely a good pickup if the hamon is still there.

He does appear to be saying "woe is me"

I don't think there is a way, unfortunately. Maybe on the new software.

Yeah, these were definitely not acquired in Japan, as they would have been very illegal there.

It's interesting that the tsuba was signed after the sekigane was added. This means the tsuba was originally made with it installed, for later fitting by the owner. We tend to think of tsuba being made to fit after they were purchased but this shows (if shoshin) that they could be made with that already installed for fitting to your blade. hmm

Looks like a WW2 Kai Gunto tsuba, part of a set of various numbered fittings used on the more mass produced Naval swords in WW2. How it ended up in CT I have no idea. That is a very weird one.

Gerry, you HAVE to try to post correctly please. You can't keep posting the way you are, as it's hard to read. Not sure why you haven't got the hang of this. When you read a post, at the bottom is a box, you type your reply, then click submit. There is nothing more you need to do. Tell us if you are posting from a pc or your phone. But it works the same way. You just type...click submit. Nothing complicated.

Bear in mind that false signatures have been done for centuries, and a false signature is not only common, but doesn't make the tsuba fake. It's a very nice tsuba showing some different techniques, and would be a decent addition to a collection. Your grandfather had good taste, and tsuba collectors know that without papers, any tsuba has a chance of having a spurious mei, but that each is judged on its own merits. You have a nice genuine tsuba with an unproven signature. Enjoy it.

So where is convenient to stay if you are exhibiting? Don't want to be Ubering everywhere just to get there and back. Any recommendations that are convenient and still decent?

Anyone who has been before, has it been in this location previously and is the hotel it's in the best option for staying at?

Can't disagree with anything Brett said. It is truly an astonishing book and one of the best I have ever seen.

This is gold! Huge thanks to those involved. This is a great resource to anyone who studies Nihonto, well done.