Jamie

You guys must just not realize that ALL of these are Rare AND Collectible

There was a really nice example ( a soshu hiromasa) on shibui website but I don't see it there anymore.

Bruno, I don't think it's just personal taste. I believe these relics deserve to Be treated well and should be polished By someone who is properly trained so they are preserved properly for future generations. I'm not overly experienced yet and I can tell his work when I see it. Just my .02 Worth what it cost you.

You'll find a good many examples online to compare against. I am not home right now and I won't be for another week or so And I'll share pics with you of a hiromasa sunnobi Tanto I am currently taking care of

So you're trying to all this papered before you buy this blade?

You might consider just coating it with light machine oil. Then periodically wipe the oil off and recoat. Very thin layer is best. Most attempts to " clean" swords by those not properly trained end in damage to the sword. This sword doesn't look too bad considering its been through Katrina. This link may help you http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm Hope it helps and good luck.

It probably depends on a few factors for different collectors. Is the blade worth it? It's not cheap to have done. Personally I would have to be very certain it was gimei. And it would have to have some benefit- like papering to some other well regarded smith.

Tough questions: I have an excellent example. I have a ken Tanto signed Unsho The work is early, and bizen. I have had two high level collectors, and a properly fully Japanese trained polisher look at this blade. They all agreed it should go to shinsa and all three thought it would more than likely pass. It was sent to Nthk and got a pink slip- they said masahide school Deemed gimei This a few choices Leave it and enjoy studying blade Resubmit Remove Mei, and resubmit. My choice is going to be to resubmit- but it's risky. If I do this, and it fails again I will absolutely be more invested than I can get back from this blade. This time I am submitting it to nbthk though.

You might want to post a pic or two.

Try calling an independent agent. My renters covers a few things that a usual policy will not. In addition to nihonto, I have some outdoor gear that wouldn't be covered on a normal policy. So I spoke to my agent and had specific amounts for blades, and my outdoor gear. The policy was written and priced based on the figures I gave them because there is no other way to prove what they are worth. I didn't have receipts for any of it, but its all covered in full as is my gear for replacement value. I hope this helps.

I agree the Mei doesn't look right for this smith I assume that's the conclusion you came to as well Is it mitsu mune? ( for my own curiosity)

I think it's worth it. It has a really nice kanji section at the back. Really read everything you can.

Looks tired, hamon is really close to the edge in multiple places and looks like it might run off in kissaki

Martin, I would imagine that Mike is probably busy or something- It's still very Nice of him to post these very good examples for us to study. Thanks Mike

I know you more than likely won't do this-but you need to go to some shows. You need to see good examples in hand. Until you look at lots of good swords you aren't able to judge quality. You also need to read. If a Wak sells for less than the price of polish-there is a reason for this, in most cases. Andswer this What makes a "good" sword?

I take the small nano light (that Ken mentioned) with me everywhere. I used it extensively at the SF show to view details of blades. I can see utsuri with it too, because it isn't bright like a bigger LED. amazing light for swords.

Jean, You make a good point (i am not surprised) I just meant having it papered from here. Brian, you should listen to Jean.

I agree. Tough to use. Some very nice blades to look at in the collection section though.

You didn't do badly on this one Brian. Collect-ability is different for different people. That you feel you paid fairly is most important. That you are happy. Papers alone would cost close to what you paid, so you have done ok. Some older papers a bit suspect so all papers can't be trusted. You will learn and probably will not lose money on this piece so as long as you are happy(and sounds like you are) then you have done well. Look at it and twist it in the light- see if you pic out some fine details, then see if you can name those details. If not-look them up- Have fun Jamie The one other thing is- There really isn't a lot on ebay. Many of the people on this forum have been doing this a long time and they do know what they are talking about.

"would like to know if there is much material that isn't covered by the main beginner books that we all know of?" Absolutely. There is more detail and pics of Yaki ire than ive seen in any other book on the subject. I grabbed a copy at the show, and all three signed it.

This one looks good. I really like Jumonji yari as well. I haven't seen too many of them.

You've not shown anything to support what you are saying Jacques. It looks to me as though they can and are tempered to a greater depth than you stated.

Kissaki looks to have problems from the pics, but it's hard to tell without the sword in hand. If you are determined you might take a better pic of the kissaki. My opinion is- that it depends on your motivation. If buying for resale- you may get lucky and someone may give you 6 for it. Or maybe not. If buying for yourself and to study nihonto, i'd think a book or saving and adding some funds and buying something in polish would be a better use of funds. Just my.02 and it's probably worth what it cost you.

It's not uncommon Brian. I like the shobu zukuri and Naginata Naoshi geometry. I find I really like most of the geometries without Yokote. I have a gorgeous one from Nambokucho that has a very elegant sugata. I saw one at the show this weekend (a KO Gassan) that I was told was the only known such example. It also was beautiful. I have a suggestion. I too am basically a beginner, but probably an advanced beginner. The Show in SF this weekend did me a world of good. And I think attending a couple shows is the best thing you can do for your studies. Not to buy, but to look at great swords. I think anyone could get carried away looking for deals there and there certainly were some to be had. Personally I focused on seeing great swords. It helps your eyes exponentially. And you can test what you know by Judging a blade and them finding out what it is, and see if you're right. This helped me a lot and confirmed for me that im on the right track. Anyway, sorry for being a bit off topic. J

Welcome to the forum. I think you'll learn from this blade. Congrats on doing well on your first purchase. Many of us didn't do nearly as well. Now just read, read, and read some more. Try to attend some sword shows.