is a very big military show this coming weekend in KY, id go if you could make it, and just ask to look at their swords, always pull the sword from its saya with the edge up riding on its back ..mune... careful not to lean it to its ether side, pull it all the way out with one slow motion hold the blade up and use both hands on the handle, be careful not to touch the blade with your bare fingers, compare different swords you look at as to how the temper lines look, the shape of the curve...sori...the condition of the steel can you see grain pattern?, the more you look at the more you'll learn...put off buying until after books and sites have been read. read the below link and if you have the need to buy on Ebay call the doc >Ill tell you to take to shots and get off the PC, then look at it again in the morning<. its a long fun, strange, confusing and most of all, $$$$$$$ trip your about to set sail on.....have fun.
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/care/handling.htm