Brian

Stay on topic! And fwiw, no-one CARES about downvotes. Only teenagers and people obsessed with popularity. Give it a rest.

Clearly not the correct habaki for it. Someone got one that fitted roughly and because it was too long, they inset it into the tsuka? It's not sitting on the surface is it, looks like it goes into it a bit? Very odd and bad decision if that's true Since it's TH and a decent sword, it would be worth getting a new habaki made. Not a huge expense considering the price of a sword.

Agree with Grey. A LOT of entry and mid level swords have that identical crack. Judging by the gaps, it may be a replacement that doesn't fit properly, unless the sword has been polished down a lot. But it isn't a huge deal for display.

Any jeweller can repair it. But I would leave it as is.

As per the rules, we require some details and at least guideline prices to be posted. The only exception is those who have taken a dealer subscription, where they have their own "store" and can list as they like.

robcvt is a scammer. Just about ANYONE who contacts someone and says any version of "xxx can help you, contact him at yyyy" is a scammer. He's been deleted.

Just a leather spacer he made to take up the gap.

Yeah, I would also guess removed mei.

Both genuine, and both look worth preserving and researching. Both appear to be older than WW2, and values maybe a bit higher than the entry levels that Bruce mentioned. Do we have anyone out that way that can take a look?

His classic sugata, and one of my Grails. Lovely sword.

Looks great. Having a full workshop here with lathe and knife belt grinder etc, I'd make short work of that. But you did awesome and it looks great.

Wow, that's bad. REALLY badly signed by someone who doesn't know Japanese. As mentioned, the shape is a write off and the whole tang looks to have been modified to deceive....even the extra mekugi ana in weird places. This is one to stay far away from. Is this from an online dealer? I'm guessing it's this one? https://aukro.cz/japonsko-rarita-originalni-rucne-kovana-katana-znacena-mistr-kunisuke-7113242336 Ugh...no. I think it may have been a genuine sword, but has been messed with so much that the value is minimal now.

Whilst way above your budget, this is a steal for what you are getting.

Welcome, and glad to have you on board. Feel free to share some of your other interests in the Izakaya. We have lots of members interested in your other hobbies too.

Good work! Very interesting. Put it into a pdf and send to me and I'll add it as an article with the appropriate credit

Likely post war kids swordfighting. No reason for them to have been done deliberately or during real action. This is from messing around. Luckily they aren't fatal, but certainly don't add anything.

Appears to be a Showato...not traditionally made. Wartime sword, I expect with the tassel you're looking at $1200 or around there. If paying much more than that, I would think twice.

Some remarkable deals here. A Nihonto in Gunto mounts, papered...for the price of a Showato?

No, I think Ed is being very open and legit here. Katana is strictly speaking 60.6cm. But yes...it does make a difference and only adds to the value that it's that close. Nice package.

Good deal! Papered mounted waki in polish with shirasaya? Beats the heck out of rusty project blades. Where are the novices looking for their first sword?

Yeah, performance is pretty low down on the list of what collectors are interested in, most of us don't regard that as a factor. We are collecting art here. They are all mostly functional.

Nick is well regarded. Plus he's one of the on-board dealers here, so they usually are highly regarded and approachable.

Well done Bruce. I feel that is all due to you guys.

Awesome write up. Thank you for sharing with the members

Email @Ed at the address in his signature.