drdata

Thanks much!

I think more info at: http://forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/vie ... ed#p135184 Regards

seeing is believing, American style to lite a smoke...

Based on limited flash card study I was thinking kane. Could use help on Grey's advice (the source of my flash cards, btw). I tried to match the radical but not sure I had luck; did not find 'kane' anyway. Is this a 10 or 11 stroke? I was thinking 10, and seems to match the first radical shown in the 10 stroke section. Thanks

Not sure if I can answer. I know one. The other, riding a boar, not so much.

Very cool, count me among the interested. I know too well the pain of authorship, though far from being as prolific. Congrats!

I agree, a pic is needed. Perhaps too new to be on youtube... Best I can do is indicate that history claims the episode re-airs tonight: Sturgis and Acquisitions: Monday, Nov 12, 8:30/7:30c And no doubt the whole show is a racket. My question related to weather the antique store kabuto was legit. Best regards Edit with last two pics:

Edited to add some crummy pics I took of my tv screen Sorry, I could not find an online video. On a recent "Pawn Stars" episode called "Sturgis and Acquisitions" http://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars ... es#slide-3 Rick decides to take his motor home to Sturgis (with bike in a trailer in true HD fashion), and decides to antique along the way. He finds a hachi on consignment, which, IIRC, was tagged for $300 but I believe ends up paying $1,300 (edit: make that $1,600) when he advices the seller it's worth more. Was this a deal, repro, any issues with the item? Regards As I started the thread I recorded the show and snapped some stills. Not much detail I am afraid, but the rear looks odd where the neck guard attaches, and the top piece did not seem high quality of too well fitted.

My advice is to only deal with active red rust. If you plan to resell, the new owner can always clean, if that suits them. Once cleaned, you may find not as much interest from higher end collectors. Do not clean the tang. Only light oil on blade. Please nothing abrasive on the blade. Cheers

Very late to the game (work sucks, but happy to have a job). As no answers yet (officially), I will throw down: #5. No hada, seems oil quenched/etched hamon #9, for same. #8. Less sure, but seems bar stock/oil quenched. The other examples appear to have nie and noi. With benefit of hindsight I think I see a trend forming. Would be nice to see results as a poll. A fun game to be sure. Regards

Buy the sword, not the story. I shinsa with nthk in the states only costs a few hundred dollars, and this can be done with an agent. Ask yourself. If you owned a nihonto store, and believed this is what it is claimed to be, would you not get the paper so you could in turn ask a price that is, apparently, going to be an order of magnitude higher? AFAIK, gimei will not "pass", period. The signature would need to be removed, the nakago repatinated, and then resubmitted as mumei. I am not 100% but believe later period blades should all be signed, and dated, so the mumei status could present serious issues. That said, does seem a nice blade. You have enviably deep pockets, my friend. At this level of pricing I would stay well clear of ebay. The risk/reward factor for evilbay is the diamond in the rough, not the diamond that has "just not been certified yet". Cheers

Thanks Eric. While I can't make this one, anyone who does would be wise to visit old-town, not far from Balboa park, for some hand-made tacos. Something about eating a tortilla that you just saw being made by a Mexican woman, not to sound sexists or racist, I hope. Cheers

It's probably best to not lay the blade on a hard surface, such as stones. Also, be sure not to try and clean or polish the blade or tang. A wipe down with good machine oil is never a bad idea. There is a link to a FAQ on handling and care, please read if you have not. Cheers

search is your friend. This thread may help: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12556&hilit=bones

Thanks for the comments, Justin. The shoulder guards did strike even me as a bit loud. What is not clear is whether the tachi and meji era tourist looking tanto (complete with the dragon tsuka), came with the suit. I suspect not, as no further mention was made of them. Cheers

Was going to post same but was beaten to it. For those curious, the former "picker sword" (a wak I believe) had nice fittings, and despite what Frank told the owner, it was later sold to a member here for a fair bit more then the 400 bucks I believe he mentioned: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10481&p=105243&hilit=pickers+sword#p105243 Regards

Update: Within minutes of my posting, and I assume because paypal actually opened a dispute this time, I was contacted by Trevor. He offered to refund, or ship V1 and use the difference to cover shipping. I was happy to take the second offer, and based on updates to the thread appears there is no V2, so no point in any continued wait. Glad I closed the loop, but sorry it took a paypal dispute to get some traction. I assume the lack of communications to be an unfortunate side effect of the changes at toraba. I too would welcome a katchu sub-forum and hope the best for Trevor and his current endeavors. Best regards and looking forward to the book. Cheers

Ha. The crutches in the background would make a better weapon. But, 2 oz of 24 ct gold. At least one could pay to have their arse reattached. Regards

Hey folks, wondering if anyone has received their books, or heard from Trevor recently? Seems the toraba site is down, and I have received no replies to several emails I sent to Trevor's Toraba based email (the only one I have) over the last month. The last update I received was on March 19th with an offer to either keep waiting, or get my money back. At the time I opted to wait. But later, once communications ceased and the forum at toraba was closed down, I decided to ask for my money back. Given no response I filed a dispute with paypal. They, in typically useless fashion, closed it summarily without bothering to tell me, because the purchase was over 45 days old. They have since agreed to reopen as I have been with PP for 10 years, and because it was a pre-order. Its only a 100 bucks, but I don't like feeling ripped off, and find the lack of communications to explain the situation hard to excuse. Anyone else?

I 2nd that. Squared off nakago.... Regards

Wow, my first. I should mention I owe it all to Grey's kanji flashcards. Of which I still have a huge stack to get through. Regards

Hi William. I am only still learning, and am sure someone will correct. For the smith name I see: Kane XX, maybe masa. The date appears to be: showa Ni-Ju Nen (20 years) Go Gatsu (5th month) Showa started in 1926, and you include the first year, so I have that as may, 1945. Does seem late, but before Aug, and V-J day. I do hope I am close. Best regards and welcome. PS> If not sure do read the faq on care. No cleaning of tang, light oil on blade, etc. Cheers

Interesting link. First time I have seen a stamped habaki on a non-replica. Perhaps this is the genesis for the Chinese repros all having them? Cheers

I think the word you are looking for is "fire scale". Its a layer of oxidized metal that usually flakes off easily. As Brian mentions, it would have to be added after the yasuri marks, which would be post forging. More likely a bonding agent to ensure a good fit with the tsuka, perhaps after someone modified the tang or decided to swap in the "70s" fittings. Regards

I have heard of GIs having such items chromed. Could that be it? Pics would be useful. Regards