reeder

I'm a week late here, but i agree, avoid shipping to China. However, I have recently sent a few of my blades to Hong Kong with absolutely no problem. Even had one go from door to door in 6 days.

Picked up a nice type 98 yesterday, got home and removed the handle (I don't think its been off since the war) and found a pleasant surprise. The nagasa is 25 1/8" - 25 1/4". From the other examples I've seen its a bit shorter but I've only compared it to a couple of examples I was able to find. I read that the common length was about 24 1/2" but not sure how accurate that is. I'll get some blade pics when the sun decides to come out.

Good eye Brannow.

He's always had a number of "very nice" blades with big price tags. Always had cool stuff though. I'm still crying over the Masayuki with the 34" cutting edge that was recently relisted that I mkssed on the 1st go. It originally sold for $900 w/ blue/brown officers tassel. I hit the buy now button and when it refreshed another had just beat me to it.

Thanks! I forget that when you upload pics from your phone they post sideways when viewing on a computer.

I'm thinking it's katsuhisa. No luck finding Mei in sloughs or Dr Steins site. TIA.

Don't write it off too much. it could still be hand forged, just not traditionally made. Plus, buy what you like, not what other people like.

Very nice! hows the blade look?

I keep writing up my view point as a new collector then deleting it. so quickly as a new collector it's a scary field with lots to learn and a lot of dishonest people trying to take advantage of you (like any other field of collecting). also, I'm not going to buy anything I'm not certain I can quickly get my money out of it if I need to. I'm by no means rich or well off and I justify collecting to my wife as an investment. I have not lost a bunch of money and in some instances made a little money so she puts up with it. there's a lot of great and direct responses already posted here.

Looks good, what's the cutting edge?

Fittings

More pics.

Well, I ended up buying it. Like it even more when I saw it in person. Here's some more pictures. Nagasa measures 28"

Thank you, gentlemen. I might check with Moses to see what he thinks, but sounds like it won't be able to be saved.

Here's 2 I have, got 1 more if my phone decides to cooperate.

This is my friends Kanesada im looking at buying but wanted to get opinions on whether or not the tip could be fixed or if it's a fatal flaw. Also, I know it's signed Kanesada but not sure if gimei or what generation smith. Thanks a ton in advance.

Looking at purchasing a Kanesada sword off a friend that has this tsuba by Tsu Jimpo. Wanted to get some opinions on the tsuba. It appears to match some of the other tsubas I've seen. TIA.

Here are some pics of the blade.

I will get some blade pics up tomorrow evening. Nagasa is 23". Nakago measures 8 1/4".

Thanks again. Here's an overall shot of the Nakago. The 282 is on both sides.

Thanks, Chris! Now time to see if I can find the smith. He wasn't in Sloughs but will check other references.

I've got ? Mune. Researching now to see if I can't find it. TIA

It's hard to say without any pictures. Try resizing the pictures so that they're smaller and try again. A lot of the folks here suggest to buy the best sword you can and not just the 1st one you come across. Great advice, but I'm guilty of not following it all the time. Anyways, there are a lot of great folks here who I'm sure would be more than happy to help with your first sword purchase.

"Buy the blade, not the signature."

IMHO, I just don't think people are spending money right now. I watch knives more than I do swords, but knives are going half of what you expect them to unless it's excellent/mint condition or a rare piece. with the depressed prices right now, you're not seeing a whole lot of good knives going up either. if they are, they're going up at buy now only, knife guys aren't wanting to give their loved ones away.