Alex A

Well yes. Any honest and decent seller will have sword in hand and will see obvious marks or flaws and should point them out to the buyer. Though we know that's not always the case and also as mentioned, folks can genuinely miss stuff. Whatever the case, there should be a refund if the buyers is not happy, no doubt this thread will make some sellers and buyers more cautious. No one wants a sword in the post for two journeys so better doing it right the first time. Glad Brian as added the "Return Policy" to the template. Personally, wouldn't buy a sword from anyone that does not have one.

I think its a good idea for every seller to accept payment and leave the money to one side and stand by the rule that's its not your money until the buyer confirms the purchase is good, anyways, that's what i believe to be fair.

There is a simple solution to this. Buyer is not happy, send sword back. Seller refund buyer when sword arrives. If seller wont refund buyer than that wont help with future sales.

Think reading through this thread the other day may have amplified my thoughts. Not swords but really hits home, for me.

Yes, unfortunately with them and others, its game over.

No. Though i find the history interesting. To be honest, you dont know what you own. Meaning that the sword you own could have killed or the owner been killed. Someone once said on a antique gun site, with reference to a civil war Colt pistols. If some owners truly knew the history and deaths linked to their guns then they would likely be shocked. May sound a bit hypocritical when i say something like "would love to own a gun that was at waterloo" (which sometimes do) but wouldn't want to knowingly own something that killed someone, would probably give me the creeps on a dark night lol. With swords, they are up close and personal, defo not for me.

People are always looking for provenance, anything that addss a bit of real history to an object If such marks were used then its my guess they would increase value as there are many people willing to believe whether provable or not. You see some swords with inscriptions that are either dubious or impossible to authenticate with owners that believe are genuine. From time to time see this scenario and think of them as “head in the sand” owners, just a thought that arises. Oh, and there are definitely people that will collect swords just because they have been used to cut through people, rather than the main interest being the sword itself. Thats the reality of people.

Some beautiful pieces on those websites Colin, though some of the prices making my eyes water. Wheres the bargain basement?

Good point John

Always wanted to start a thread on the subject as its always been an interest on the back burner. I know very little, this is about as much as i ask myself when viewing them online, so if anyone has any tips then add them. 1) Is it solid bronze?.Sounds silly but plenty of hollow ones around , assuming mass produced in China 2) Which brings me onto the next question i would ask myself. Are the like 5 or more exactly the same for sale at any one time? 3) Is it it bronze or patinated Brass or some other material? 4) Is the finish any good with fine detail and without any cast marks? 5) Is it signed?, even better if maker can be traced. Thats it folks, my indepth knowledge. Thats not advice, thats me looking for advice

Neat display, Piers. That red table top seems to set everything off really well.

That's an unusually abstract tsuba, Jean. Kind of takes the thinking away from the decoration. Could live with that, cheers.

Wow, for me much better, cheers. I know the brass decoration was a thing back in the day but for me there was a place for it. Quite like it on Onin, Heianjo types but the tsuba above (for me) was fine as it is. Interesting to see the difference!

Kind of getting the impression some generalizations appearing. My thoughts, just because Shinto period arrives and its more peaceful doesn't mean smiths went out of their way to make crappy unreliable swords. Any Samurai would want a good sword, they were expensive when new.

Thats a great tsuba, for me, one that did not need any extra decoration. Sometimes less is more.