Guy on the couch

I apologize for the name thing. I haven't been a member of very many message boards in the past as is probably obvious. My name is Chuck and I love Japanese metalwork. (Sounds like something I'm saying to a support group for incurable collectors :lol: ) I have three questions about the tsuba now that I think I know a little more about them. 1. Is it rare to see steelwork tsuba? As most of what I have seen have been copper, or iron or a mix thereof. 2. How can you tell that the third tsuba is in poor condition? 3. The first tsuba seems to have a strange color for being iron, why is this so? (is it some kind of allow I'm unfamiliar with) Kind regards for all the interesting replies, Chuck M

Thank you so much for the replies. No I don't currently own any of these being as they are all about a grand a piece. I hope to own at least a few nice tsuba when my finances permit. I look forward to reading more in the books I have already ordered and from the learned people at this site. :D

Hello gentlemen and ladies. I am very new to the art of collecting tsuba and am trying to become familiar with the genuine article. After reading some of these posts, I am starting to see fakes everywhere and it has become discouraging. If you guys could take a peak at some of the examples I have found so far, I would appreciate the chance to benefit from your wisdom.