paul griff

Hello, Its a pleasure Thomas and still looking out Trystan....Bruce , all of the fittings have matching numbers including the locking catch....I only just noticed the nakago has two letters stamped on it as well as being numbered...The saya does not have any numbers or letters on it.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Thomas, I still have it and the number is 510. Regards, Paul

Hello Michael, It’s a fake..lots of them on that big internet site.....If it’s really cheap it’s handy to have around as a comparison until you get hold of the real deal.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Dave, Thanks for sharing ,fascinating insight into the hard manual labour involved in steel production of the time.....I still use many tools made during that period and the steel quality is first class.. Regards, Paul...

Hello Carlos, As above.....Hate to see people getting ripped off so DO NOT BUY IT..........That site is although useful for many things is probably one of the worse places to look for a sword and seems to be getting worse !! ......Check out Militaria dealers they are offering nice swords with a guarantee of authenticity and avoid any type of auction site would be my advice.. Good Luck, Paul..

Hello Bruce, Well found...very interesting reading...Thank you.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruce, I have used renaissance wax for years but only on exterior surfaces...excellent stuff....Blades get oiled with any excess removed before putting in the scabbard...I think any blade coated with any type of wax runs a big risk of trapping dirt particles and potentially scratch the blade.....I only have one “art sword “ in polish and that gets choji only ....full nihonto treatment for that one...! Regards, Paul...

Hello, It’s a genuine Japanese civilian sword blade remounted ( two holes in tang ) for use during the latter part of the war...not in the best of shape but would probably be presentable with a sympathetic clean and tidy up.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, You are correct it’s 100% genuine and a very nice example....I’m sure other members of the forum who are very enthusiastic about these will be able to elaborate...nice find,well done.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Agree...100% fake.....Not the worst out there and with a bit of fine tuning would be ok for someone who cannot afford the genuine item... Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruno, I own among others , a Mantetsu and a shinbu- to...It sometimes makes collecting interesting when you have examples of these swords and compare them with arsenal made blades and traditional blades...I enjoy comparing the different characteristics...... Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruce, Yes , bought it as it is complete with knot and cord.....Couldn’t resist buying it...my photo’s don’t do it justice.... ! Blade has a nagasa of 21 inches with a lovely notare midare hamon... Regards, Paul..

Hello Grey, Thank you for that.....learning all the time..... Best Regards, Paul..

Hello Stephen, Thank you for that, very much appreciated......I used really old candles following the advice from a late collector /friend .... Regards, Paul..

Hello, I would welcome any advice as to the correct translation of the mei on a kai - gunto recently purchased......My attempt has come up with : Chikushu Yanagawa Ju Yoshikuni ? ....Being absolutely useless at reading mei any advice on whether this is correct would be greatly appreciated.... Kind Regards, Paul....

Hello Inna, I would say a genuine sword made in occupied islands near the end of the war for collaboration troops....Not a quality sword but a genuine piece of Militaria....And as said I would ignore that dealers description... Regards, Paul..

Hello Alex, As Bruce points out a fake but a pretty well made one...If it’s cheap always handy to have around to remind you of what to look for when a genuine one turns up......A study piece so to speak..books are invaluable but no substitute for hands on.... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Very nice find...well done.. Regards, Paul.

Hello Bruce, I would say fake....For a late war sword it has a lot of “detail “ and it is all poor quality apart from a very distinct stamp on the blade....That fake black “ patina “ on the tsuba looks ever so dodgy and the locking catch looks like it was made to deceive, leather just doesn’t look aged....actually from top to bottom I would say 100% fake.......Only my opinion of course but all of the late war emergency issue swords I have come across are quite plain,simple but still kind of well made... Best Regards, Paul..

HelloPaul, And in responce to question 1.. Human instinct ! If it feels right and your “ gut instinct “ tells you it is right..it normally is ! I still cannot explain it but those old swords have a kind of “ magic “ about them....Maybe the lost “art “ ? Those swords were made for use when your life depended upon it and you only found out when you had to use it ! I often wondered how an Elizabethan rapier managed not to break until I owned one...thin,light and maintains a razor sharp edge even after being in a chimney for a couple of hundred years ....!! Hold a genuine Ufberht Viking sword and again be amazed by its “ feel “ and quality..... with nihonto I don’t really care who signed it or what district it was made but I know when I pick it up if it feels right....Only my opinion and in the world of Japanese sword collecting I am probably a “ bottom feeder “ collecting mainly shin -Gunto for pleasure as opposed to investment.... Best Regards, Paul..

Hello George, That looks like a sword that a dealer in Hampshire had a while back....If my memory serves me right a piece of the leather covering the mekugi had been cut away to allow the hilt to be removed ? The swept back hilt ( tsuka ) in early tachi style and the habaki is a good indication of a nice blade lurking beneath a sword that was prepared to be taken into a combat arena. Regards, Paul..

Hello Dick, Very nice photo’s and again thank’s for posting.. Regards, Paul..

Hello David, Agree with dwmc...Great bit of family history best preserved not restored... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Agree,it’s a fake 100%..The design on the kabutogane is all wrong as is the hole for the sarute...leather looks too thick and new....same has no trapped dirt and looks too clean... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Excellent piece of history and a great find..Thank’s for posting. Regards, Paul.