Curgan

I did my research at the forum and found nothing on a subject most interesting in my opinion, but if you say so it means that these info should be somewhere in the forums...

After some time of idleness I note that subjects like dealing with rust spots, storing the blade in shirasaya, koshirae or bare, selection of storing place for blade and koshirae are not discussed at all. It is hard for me to accept that these subjects are irrelevant to nihonto maintenance...

Ford besides an exceptional artist is a socratic philosopher. His knowledge on the subject is comparable to few others. He has his point and will lead us to it, making us believe we have discovered it, instead of presenting it to us. As the least in the classroom, I wait in anticipation to hear from the teacher and the advanced students...

I expect a fun, educational and well debated thread as well! As I was told as a child I listen and keep silent while the "grown ups" talk....

High quality clove oil is just asking for someone to go to their pharmacy and buy and use pure clove oil, no? Brian Unfortunately, not where I live ... I have to order everything from Japan and pay a consequently increased cost because of customs... (Not to mention that there are virtually no nihonto enthusiasts, so we can share experiences/opinions/methods etc even for the simplest subject. Luckily, there are books, SFI and NMB for this ...)

Exactly the conversation I wanted to start! My thanks to all noteworthy fellow forumites, who posted and will keep posting their experience. Your help is invaluable, since there are no nihonto enthusiasts in my area to share opinions... BTW I am thinking of using a silk cloth for oil wiping (cut from an old dress) combined with paper tissue instead of nuguigami. Any opinions there? PS Where can one get high quality clove oil and uchiko powder in the EU (other than the medium quality contained in most maintenance kits)?

A form of art like a nihonto, cant be considered equal with a modern production blade IMHO. It deserves more respect and care and that must be reflected in its maintenance also...

Sorry David but I prefer the clove smell over crap or Napalm (at least for this time of the year, I 'm not quite sure for mid-winter though) PS Although camelia oil smells quite well, but if I recall it right it must be of the highest quality and without any additives...

Thank's for the feedback. Luckily I know how to maintain a modern blade and especially katana's. I am equipped with the basics. Even with high quality choji oil, although I preffer sewing machine oil for modern steel blades. My concern was the specifics for a blade older than 100 years...

Forgot to mention that I keep oiling all my swords above the wax. I know it's not necessary, but omitting oiling will take half my fun away. I am thinking whether there is something special thay can be done for maintenance (other than oiling)

I am expecting my first nihonto from Japan and I have been wondering whether to protect them with Renaissance Wax or not. I do this with all my modern blades, but now I am very hesitant, because I want to take care of them appropriately. Luckily for me I can always count on the counsel of my fellow NMB forumites. :D

I am 33 now and I had a passion for swords even before I knew how to read. Actually, I have learned how to read 29 years ago because of this passion. My father wouldn't buy me new books with illustrated hoplites, knights and samurai unless I read the small black marks under the pictures. I recall getting my first sword like object made by stainless steel in my early 20's for an exagerrated price. My first live blade 5 years ago and now I am expecting my first nihonto to arrive from Japan. I am closing with my expression of envy for those who were given or found or bought their first nihonto for a ridiculous price :D I wish I was wearing your shoes

A thread that was a pleasure to read nevertheless ...

I am seeking its pair for a daisho,so if you have seen something let me know!

BTW congratulations on your site Andy! It was the first that came in my mind...

try http://www.zatoichi.de/katana_01/index.htm

Indeed, I got it from Giuseppe Piva!

This is part of a daisho tsuba, as I noticed browsing the Boston Museum cataloque. Remarkable!

Indeed. The flowers look almost the same, but the Bostom Museum tsuba is a masterpiece. Especialy the peakok. Birds of prey are a trademark to ishiguro and now depicted in perfection...

Thanks again John!

I have recently got this XIX century mumei wakizashi tsuba. Dimensions: 7,2 cm x 6,6 cm. It is made of shakudo with riserves in nanako and inlaid in gold. It's true colour is a brown/purple more glossy than the pictures where it looks like iron. I have found somewhere and another picture that shows the same tsuba with a black colour (probably because of the lighting) but can't remember where. Can somebody help me with the identification?