Blue Wolf

Thanks foir the link Jamie, since Ive had it it has been properly stored and cared for, and has not degraded, (even the Choji oil I bought in 1985 is still clear in the vile LOL). I have just come to a point of determining if the balde is worth restoration and placeing in the hands of some one able to properly share its place in history, (at this point I am pretty sure it is still a historical blade). Thanks to ALL that responded, I have a better knowledge of what I should be doing. I will be periodically checking this post if any one else chimes in. John A

Thank you all for the help. Ive tried to find a reputiable person in the Phoenix AZ area to bring it to, but there is no one I would trust. I breaks my heart to think some one would deface in such a way , and still it deserves better that to sit in a closet. John A

I checked the blade and I did mix up the 2nd and third ummmm KANJI, (thanks for the corrections), and the cutting edge is 54 cm.(I have no idea where I came up with 31cm LOL) John A

These are the Best Blade pics I can get, Thank you all again, John A

Thanks for the help, I will try to add all the pics of the blade Kenji, but for now I have an over all pic and a pic of the Nakago (tang) John A

To all that can help, I aquired this blade about 25 years ago, and know it was brought back from Japan by my Father in law 1n 1965. It is Katana, approxamatly 31 cm., Shinogi zukuri style blade in a simple shirasaya with no Habaki. Ihori mune with a Hako (box) Harmon. The blade has some surface rust, and finger prints, but no visable pitting,ie: I believe it can be polished out.There are 5 Kenji on the blade, the top (from the tip down) is an obvious 3, the other 4 are very faint. Im thinking this possiably a Nengo. The Nakago is 6 cm futsu shaped with a Kurijiri tip. It has 2 Kenji, I am presuming this is a Mei. Ironicaly, there is a blade in the 5k t0 7.5K for sale link in this site that has a similar kenji, Naoshige of Kii, if it helps. I have included the Nakago Kenji, how ever the blade Kenji are very faint, I tried my best to photograph them but they are invisable as a collective photograph. If you E-mail me, I can send closeup pics of the blade Kenji if needed. My main intent is to asertain if this blade is worth restoration and regiserting. After looking at Dr. Stein's page, I can honestly tell the 80% of what your NOT supposed to do to a blade HAS been done, (not by me). John A BluStlWolf@aol.com