Grey Doffin

I would stay away from Nev-R-Dull also, Makes the blade look like a machine made gunto. Get it polished or leave it alone. Grey

Since no one else has taken the time, I'll tell you what I can about the show. It didn't seem to be as busy (well attended) as before. Pity more didn't come because there was much to see. Gordon Robson (NTHK) and Jim Gilbert displayed sukashi tsuba (Owari & Kanayama if I remember right) and koshirae. NBTHK American Branch displayed Ichimonji. About 9 tachi from Ko-Ichimonji and later branches, all Juyo except for 2 Tokubetsu Juyo. Jim Gilbert again, this time NBTHK AB, showed Tosho & Katchushi tsuba and the AB private meeting (kantei session) featured 2 tachi by Osafune Nagamitsu, among others. There were a few great pieces on the tables and from under a table I was shown a Bizen Chogi daito (big, healthy, wonderful). As always, the Northern California Club did a spectacular job of running the show. Gotta go. Grey

has a teacher who knows nothing. It's not enough that the sword looks pretty when the polish is done; the shape, cross section, color, and so much more have to be right for the smith. And how much of the blade was left on the stones? If a sword is worth polishing it is worth being done right by someone with the proper training. Please don't let the self taught and under trained ruin good swords. Grey

Never mind. I was just reminded that I loaded 5 boxes of the books (about 50 sets) onto a friend's car so he could drive them to the show. I'll have some on my table; other JSS/US Board members will be flogging them also. Sorry, I don't know what's happening with Harry. Grey

Hi, Grey Doffin, JSS/US Publications here. On the old board I told you that our new book, Sue Koto: Japanese Swords of the 15th & 16th Centuries, would be available at the San Francisco sword show this weekend. Harry Watson, our supplies wizard, has just informed me that he won't be able to attend the show, and since he has all the books, they won't be there either. If you want a copy you'll have to write Harry (afu@afuresearch.com) and ask about postage and payment. The book is $50 plus post and I can recommend it. Grey

First, thanks to both the old and new moderators for a job well done. One thing that I'm less than thrilled about with the new format is that it isn't as easy as it was to keep track of what I've already read. Where it used to be that I had only to glance at the threads to see what's new, now I have to open up the forum and scroll down to find new material, if there is any. Maybe I'm not going about this in an efficient manner and that's my problem. If so, please let me know how to see what's new easily. Thanks, Grey