aphelion

Thanks for the input Alan. I don't feel cut to pieces though. Sure, I'm green to all this, but feel that I'm more then intelligent enough to keep up with snappy or cutthroat comments. This is a forum, and everyone knows there is know-it-all dicks on every forum. That being said, I'll check out the entry you you suggested.

I've seen tsuba's on sites that are reputable and what not (some of them from links here) that seem to have tsubas made from iron. Obviously mine is casted, and someone made a comment earlier that the bubbles/pits were a dead give away (not to mention that it has a seam on the side). To be honest, I knew it was casted, but didn't know that that wasn't how they did it. What metal do they use normally for tsubas? I also just finished "the samarai sword: a handbook" by John M. Yumoto, and just from what I've read in that one book, would have been enough info to inform me that mine was a fake. Oh well. Like Bob E. said, it'll make a nice decoy or wallhanger. I'm no expert, but I find myself becoming obsessed with learning more about these powerful items.

Well got back from Bobs. He unfortunately didn't have anything antique or authentic to look at, but he did look at my sword. It's funny, he spotted right when I walked through the door, lol. He said I should keep as a pretty wallhanger, in case I ever buy anything real in the future and want a decoy for thieves. He also invited me to the Taikai International sword tournament this June in Orlando. Very nice guy. I think I'm going to start taking his classes at his dojo... why not learn how to properly care, use, hold the sword as well as owning... He said he's been studying and collecting nihonto for 30 years and still learns stuff everyday. Thanks Ray for bringing him up. He said this is a great forum.

I will.

Thanks :D

I appreciate the input. I've been reading like crazy the last couple of days now. I think I also need to see the real deal and handle it, so I have something to compare to in the future. Pictures on most sites and books just don't do enough justice. I don't want to get discouraged, because I really enjoyed the feeling (no matter how short lived) of maybe owning a real nihonto. Sounds cheesy, I know, but even owning new swords (I've bought a sword from mantis swords in the past and also Chris Zhou Katana- I know there is a Japanese word that stands for these types of swords- $600 -$2300 range, but they are still nice I suppose.)can be empowering when held. I'd like to take the next step in owning a real nihonto. I didn't loose to much on this sword and am talking to the original owner in maybe figuring out something as far as refund or refunding some of my money back (crosses fingers) He didn't know it wasn't real either. I hope I can get at least some of my money back....

Thanks for the help Ray. I'll look into it.

Thanks! I have some books, not many. Suggest any? (don't say Go Rin No Sho, lol). As far as groups, I'll look around. Thanks for the input.

I can't help but feel very frustrated and let down. I know I don't have years of experience, but I did do a ton of research feel I have a good eye for detail and still got burned. Lesson one: If I find anything new, take pics and get your (you people here seem very knowledgeable) opinions first! Crap. I am so butthurt.... Lesson two: I need to see and handle real nihonto more often. Maybe then the distinction will become clearer. What a crappy day.... Anybody have any suggestions on where to look for starters like myself to look in the future for nihontos? I don't want this experience to discourage me from collecting.

Names Neil. So is this (what I have) a piece of garbage? Worthless (other then a hard learn)?

I hate to say this, but I've seen the fakes that are posted. They do look very fake... Now, I'm not arguing, by any means, nor am I an expert. I'm sure some of the people on these forums far surpass my knowledge and expertise. -But- I am a professional artist with an extreme eye for detail (which if I indeed did buy a fake, hopefully I can use my eye in the future). The fakes on the link I was given, by all means look fake to me. Especially regarding the fake Hamon. The hada in my photo has been enhanced with photoshop (I did this through contrast ) to help with bad photos. The hada is very hard to see in my sword normally, especially in photos. My tsuba is not brass, nor are any of the other fixtures in the sword. Maybe iron? I don't know but all the hardware is magnetic. The wrapping on my sword is done very well and not cheap like the ones in the link described. I will admit, the kissaki doesn't seem as defined as the ones on that link, but I have seen pictures of "real" swords with a soft kissaki as well. I guess I am confused at what level of detail I'm missing, and that the fakes on the website (which definitely look fake, almost extremely fake) and mine which doesn't seem soo obvious. If mine is a fake, I'm accepting this. I may be no expert, but I do know real patina. Could this be a very old fake? Is it worthless? Another thing, the rust in my sword isn't bright red or new, like the fake ones in the photo. It's darker and more brown, and doesn't wipe off.... I hate to sound as if in denial (this sword is what it is) it just to discredit as a new fake (which to me look soooo fake as far as the pictures I've seen) just from the poor photos I've taken is quite the feat, no? I may be new at this, but researched the crud outta frauds versus real... its just frustrating to think I may have been wrong. I didn't buy through ebay, nor online. It came from estate sale from ww2 vet who had a Japanese officer sword as well as other memorabilia from war. Could it be an older replica? One not so obvious as the new ones? And like I said, is it absolutely worthless? Forgive my frustration people.... I'm just a little taken off guard.

It seems wild to me that you can call fake so quickly and easily. What am I missing? What is the tell?

I'm no expert I understand this, but I did see that the sword has grain suggesting folding, the hamon isn't super distinct (when it is sometimes it can denote acid to brighten temper line whoch is fraud or not real or true temper) the blade is magnetic, the tsuba and all the added stuff to the sword isn't brass (which I'm told replicas have). From my knowledge and comparisons, the blade isn't machined but seems to be genuine, which is why I bought. But, then again, I am a amateur.

uploading new pics