bubba-san

James, what is in your opinion chert, and what do you call flint? In Europe it is all the same, it is amorphous (or crypto crystalline) silicon dioxide, but can have a wide range of colours. The French call it silex in regard to the chemical composition. Good flint is much smoother and easier to chip , where as chert is rougher material . the only flint I see here are, from flint lock rifles and is usually imported from europe. They are both cryto crystaline material . As an advocational archeologists we get kind of technical . james

You bet they are , I mean how many have we seen ? Before those 2 ? I have seen only one many years ago . grey chert is a crypto crystaline material common in the USA . In the Us we dont have true flint its also chert. james

Bernard, What a beautiful set . Thank you for the great pics ...... James

Very nice ... I have had an interest in Insects and bugs that were incorperated into Japanese fitting Does anyone know the significants of these ? I have a small tsuka , That has some type of flower with a small smiling spider in the center . What is the flower Blossum ? I cant take very good close ups because of macro focus limits on my camera , but it has a face and is smiling ... James

Most Japanese arrowheads were made from either Obsidian or silicon dioxide. Some were also made from volcanic stone . I have a few Japanese stone arrow points . The longer points were actually Knives as some were cantered off to the left or right showing some use polish .Some were made from more exotic material such as Jadeite and Jasper containing small amounts of hematite . They also had stone celt forms that were very smooth and polished jade. Most were from the Jamon period about 6,000 bp. here is a link to some fine Japanese stone artifacts . I have been studying stone artifacts for 40 years or so . I have a huge collection of stone projectile points . There were a few side nothched points , but most from Japan were stemed types . here is a link to some museum quality Japanese stone points , projectiles and various artifacts. The Jamon period dates back to 12,000 years BP. There is an ongoing dig at this prefecture site. Sannai Maruyama... Here is link to site containing a large dig http://mcrocks.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3567693 ...... http://www.dances-with-snakes.com/jomon.htm . Respectfully submitted James Member of Central states Archeological Society member since I was a young man .

Peter , When I was stationed in Yokosuka during the 60'S , I saw a sword in shop that had stone points for menuki , It got me interested in Japanese swords . Made a post somewhere here relating that . Those are the only ones I have seen since that time . Very Interesting . The points were stemmed and resemble a type of point found in Texas panhandle . Thanks for posting those ..... James

I forged and polished this large tanto , for which I won a members award . My problem is I cant take good pics . Thanks for your kind words ... James

Please look at my post at bottom of board index page. What type of pudding do you like ? respectfully James......... Ps I lived In Yokosuka for 11 years . After I was wounded in Vietnam I was sent to hospital in Sasebo and I recouped for a few years ... I also polished this one ... and this one ! thank you james

I also maintain my position that you have not even seen the sword after the final polish . so I take your words with a grain of salt . I am sorry you feel that way . what have I ever done to you to say such negative things . Would you like to see some of my work and swords I have polished ? send me your email . I will quickley change your mind .. James

Bruno , you dont even know me . I have been forging and polishing swords and Japanese knives over 20 years .

Mr Shepard knows nothing about togishi . We have a long history of not getting along .H e follows me from site to site giving me problems . He is a young man who does not know anything about Japanese swords ,I have been polishing blades for 20 years this blade was really badly scratched and yakote line was really off and kissaki was scratched. I have always been courteous to all members here . Mr Shepard needs to get a life . the polish was a kaji toji ( rough polish) I charged him 450.00 When the person got his sword back he was very pleased and could not believe it was same sword . He did not pay for a full art polish. the last picture posted is a jiro taro Naokatsu I polished . Mr Shepard is a trouble maker and he will cause problems for the site . sincerely James J Bieler

My Nagamitsu also does not have star stamp , but all of the fittings have a star stamp? . James

Enteresting , I never gave it much thought . I just thought it might be some kind of chinese enfluence ? I have a nagamitsu that has 2 mekugi . Thanks for the information. James

Ebay is a tough one. When I first started selling knives and swords , ebay was pretty good not too many problems . That is until about 2 years ago. I sold a sword for 5800. usd Some how hackers broke into ebay and paypal , My account said it was paid for and pay pal said it was good . They actually hacked my account and put a TRACTOR on my page . They were getting bids . There was a note that said " PAY to this account which was not mine and then pick up tractor at my home!!!!!! Never got my sword or the money ? The 20,000 $ that paypal gaurantees. Is not worth the paper it was printed on . I am still in litigation with ebay and Paypal. I learned a good lesson , nothing is really safe online........ James

I also have a Nagamitsu with all of the fittings being star stamped! I wonder if that was a feature of his work ? or he purposely used/ picked fittings that were stamped with star ??

Stephen , thank you for the link I appreciate it very much ......... James

Klaus , Thank you so much for information , It was very helpfull . The blade is in fine shape no breaks , kizu, cracks and the like . It is still in great polish but, has some surface rust . The hamon is choji / midare and is quite bright . It just needs a kaji toji to knock off surface rust and brighten up the Hamon a little more again thank you for your help . James ........... Bubba-san Forge

Hello folks, I just picked this up at local sword show . I tried translating it myself . It seems to be Ichi hare nagamitsu ? it seems there are several smiths using that name . The sword seems to be tradionally made . I am not too good at translating , I try my best . here are some pics . anything on smith would be much appreciated Thank you ............... James

John , Made it to his home page but, he is updating at present . Thanks for the help James

Thank you Hoanh-san I really appreciate it very much........ James

Brian and Hoanh, Thank you so much for the kinds words, makes me feel so much better. Hoanh, I will google the sayashi up . Your help is much appreciated ........ James PS Hoehn , do you have a current Email for john > the one he has listed returned my email as "failed " ? thanks

Hello folks, how are you . Some of you know me and most do not . I have been swordsmith for some 30 years . As of lately I am having serious health problems and I probably need a liver transplant . I certainly am not looking for any sympathy but, I thought it would be wise to let you know my situation . I have been unable to work because of my lack of energy and strength. Several blades that I own need some work . I specificly need some one to carve a new shirasaya (plain) for a Katana and a Tanto ,I can add the buffalo horn and related pieces later I hope?. I need someone who is fairly reasonable if that is still possible .I used to get a shirasaya for 300$ for katana but, even Fred Lohman He now charges 550 $- 600 $ for a plain Katana shirasaya. I have been doing my own for years and I just didnt know prices were so much higher . When I was healthy I could carve a Tanto saya in 1 Day ! 400$ is a lot of money for 1 days work. I would prefer somone in U.S. if possible . Thank you gentleman for your time I also want to say this site is without a doubt contains some of the most knowledgable sword and Nihonto experts I have ever seen. Please be safe and kind to one another life is so short . Dome Arigato Gozai mashita .... James

I may be made with some namban Tetsu . Wootz was somtimes mixed with tamahagane (holland style) There is some dissagreement about weather or not wootz was used ? I believe it was . but, lets not get off subject . James

Sometimes the clay is wiped off the Mune as a way of controlling sori . I learned that when I was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan in the 1960s .Here is a blade I made a few years ago. I used antique hardware to add some authenticity. I would like to see some pics of what you are referring to. Regards James I looked at your pics , I believe the previous poster correct. Seems as though some clay fell off during quench Hardening is what you may be referring to , tempering is a different process. Tempering is a softening process , mainly to relieve stress built up during forging and quenching ... James

Hello Kevin, Yes I did pull back a little , no ana . Thought it was unusual myself. It might be a Kogiri but, its too small. I also have not seen that type of tsukaito wrap ???? James