chino556

Thanks for the info Grey, Anybody got something like this they wanna sell for 5 or 600 bucks??? Maybe with a nice combat cover too?? :D Seriously, so how do I "test" how sharp it is...try cutting some cloth or paper on the edge?? ii was planning to use the whole "it gonna have to be restored...and thats not cheap..." angle to try to get a better price. We'll see. But realistically I am looking at 3-400 dollars for restoration? No comments on hamon or hada?? I'm a newb...really cant tell?? Did we agree with Brian that this is actually gendaito and not showato? Sorry for all the questions and Thanks again for the help. Cris H.

Hi all, Thanks for the comments all. Well, this has been moved from nihonto to military, is the verdict not gendaito? So how is the price now? Can you give me a ballpark figure on what the koshirae restoration would be? Chris, I think the picture you are looking for was too big and is sandwiched between the tsuba and the last picture in the original post (star8). There is also a stamp on the mune...sorry the picture is blurry and a picture of the star itself, everyone see that one? So on the mei, which is the signature and which the date? One is 4 characters long and the other 3, any more translations on those? Any comments on the hamon? I think it looks nice but not sure what type it would be called. Thanks again for all the help. This is all the pictures I have for now. Cris H.

Brian, I edited my post with signature...sorry. As for credit on the fake...well i didn't ask, i figured it was my fault for being ignorant...it was only $150 bucks so I figure that was the price of a good lesson...you get what you pay for. Oh well. Martial Arts is not really my primary purpose, but I would like to know that this blade could cut if needed. Also added some more pics, better view hopefully. The habaki apears to be made of aluminum. Also, there is a tag on the sword that says shige fusa. Also, did anyone notice below the mei the ...well not sure what to call them but they look like mekugi-ana that have been plugged. There are two spots. You can see one in star9 just to the left of the last character...any ideas what those are?? Thanks again. Cris H.

Hi all, Happy New Year!! Well, fresh off the sting of my cheap chinese knockoff purchase, I followed the advise in the thread I put in the general discussion and ordered the new book Brian reviewed, and visited my local half-priced book store and turned up a copy of Yumoto's Samurai Sword handbook and done some more reading here also. Anyway, not to be discouraged, and totally infected with the nihonto bug, I went back to the shop where I got the fake and they do also have what appears to be an actual genuine nihonto. I am hoping that someone can confirm for me that the star stamp makes this one a gendaito,it balances well in the hand and feels good. I talked them into letting me take it apart and get some pictures. I forgot to measure it but it appears to be about 26inches long give or take a little. It is in what appears to be very beat up type 98 koshirae, the tsuka needs rewrap or repair..or replace? The tsuba is also marked with a couple stamps. The saya is missing the end piece but otherwise ok. The star stamp is difficult to see in the pics but is located right where the polished part and the darker part meet under the habaki. I couldn't really make out any hada but the hamon looks interesting...not sure what to call it, but I like it. It also seems to be in good polish with no nicks, dings, rust or major stains and only a few light scratches. As for the edge, well its not dull but not razor sharp either. It has mei on both sides as well as a stamp on the back of the nakago, can anyone help with translation? They have it priced at $1200, is this a good price? If not, what would be a good price? What will I be looking at for restoration of existing koshirae? How about replacing the koshirae? I am mostly looking for a blade for martial arts, but also appreciate historically correct items as well. Should I look for something in better condition? Considering all the blades that I have seen on the internet, that I like, are 2500 and up...1200 doesnt seem too bad. Thank you very much in advance for any help and advice. Cris H. Edited to add signature and better pics of the mei.

Thanks for the concern, yes it will be on wall hanger duty until I can find something better. I have been poking around and looking at the Hanwei and Bugei blades for Martial arts practice, but of course would like to still find a nice reasonably priced nihonto just to own. I have been looking at the info about the Koa Isshin blades, what other blades fit in the "milled steel" gendaito catagory that could possible stand up to light cutting use? Not that I really need a cutter, but would like to know it could if needed. Thanks again. Cris H

Thanks for the gentle let down guys. Much appreciated. Well, like I said unfortunately, I didn't examine it close enough until I already had it in hand. After spending the last week here poking around I suspected that it was indeed not real. As you say the characteristics of the hada and the tang stuck out for me also. Oh well...it was cheap enough and serves my purposes for now. Thanks again. Cris H.

Hi All, I am a newbie here, but have been a Nihonto enthusiast and martial artist for many years. I have finally broken down and purchased my first sword. I am hoping someone can help me identify what it may be, real or fake, time period and ball park value. I do not plan on selling this sword and purchased it mostly because it "looked good". It looks to be in civilian style mounts. I was disappointed that while it looks to have a decent polish to it, it is not sharp enough to cut paper...at all. It is a little on the short side with cutting edge being approximately 22 1/2 inches and overall length being 33 1/2 inches. After poking around here for the last couple days, I am hoping I haven't made a bad choice, but for what I paid, I am probably ok either way. Pardon my ignorance of proper terminolgy and Thanks in advance for any help. Anyway, here are the pictures: Cris H