Alex A

I'm with you on that one.

Sticking with 1700ish. Chris, you have good blades like the Tadakuni (that I want back ), why look at this? This is a ? blade.

As a start, look at the Hamachi and compare whats left of it to what you will see on a more modern blade, an indicator of a blade seeing a number of polishes. Ps Chris, could do with dimensions, hamon appears to run into nakago. original or not, the last time that nakago was messed with was no older than 1700 approx., but likely newer, judging by condition and patina. 5MIN age opinion, love EBAY, not

Some of the members were good enough to show us their high quality pieces in this thread, from memory one or two excellent koshirae and many fittings, definitely worth taking a look. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18592-show-us-your-high-class-tosogu/page-3?hl=+show+your +tosogu

Curran was an absolute pleasure to deal with. The tsuba is stunning in hand, a real beauty

I use a fine film of high viscosity gun oil, wont drip all over inside of saya and hopefully help to protect against "in and out" saya scuffs. I find some oil too thin and forms droplets. Horses for courses.

I'm not referring to the two wakizashi mentioned, but To buy high quality blades by top notch smiths with TH, wakizashi for some is the only viable option, Katana being around double the price. I would rather try and sell an excellent wak by a top smith, rather than a mediocre Katana for the same value. I actually prefer studying wakizashi (not just because they are cheaper ), I find Katana to be a bit cumbersome. Obviously if you can get a "great" deal on a katana, go with katana, always depends on whats around at the right time. some good ones on here at the moment, as mentioned.

I don't think a sword with a dodgy cutting test will attain Hozen.

Cheers Uwe

Issue solved, put a screwdriver through the mekugi-ana and tapped down gently on a table, job done

A sword turned up yesterday, with shrasaya and seperate koshirae with Tsunagi. The tsuba was packaged separately. When I try and take the Tsunagi out of the saya to fit the tsuba it wont come out, pulled as hard as I want too, don't want to break the tsunagi or split the saya. Unusual issue, any ideas ?

Hello Jeff Your at the "Now that I have realized that life is unbearable without owning a katana" stage, we have all been there. I'm reminded of a friend who "always" wanted a motorcycle, he passed his test then went out and went straight for an R1. He didn't have it long for a few reasons, 1) It was too fast 2) bikes were not for him. My point being, before you go out spending big bucks on a sword, get your feet wet first to see if you would enjoy it (as others have pointed out). You don't need a 25k dose of buyers remorse. Think of swords as a luxury and not investments (as been said countless times), nothing comes with a guarantee.

Hi Mike, i meant his email address is on his website, for contacting him about stuff thats on Ebay. I dont do Ebay auctions for Nihonto related stuff for various reasons, although if i can get a good deal by going in through the back door, i will.

Take it from me, Robert is spot on ^, as I found out. Best way to reach him http://www.owazamono.com/Home.html

I just wanted to add that I followed Greys advice a while ago and contacted Eric through his website http://www.owazamono.com/Home.html I had been watching an item in his Ebay store. I found Eric to be professional, friendly and open to reasonable offers. Item arrived well packaged, on time and as described.

Hi Alton, I would never buy an existing saya to fit a blade = scuffed blade= polish=expense and hassles and back to square one. Have new made.

Clear as day, in this pic?, you have good eyesight. Ive just bought a sword from Aoi, wished id sent the images over to you for a once over. And for what its worth, I don't think it was me you where being disrespectful to, the guy could obviously do without the

Do you see that crack clearly in the Aoi pic because you know its there?, I wonder. Anyone can make that mistake.

Cheers Peter, id wondered about the use if the word Fuji in that school lately, now solved. https://markussesko.com/2016/04/06/fujiwara-ligature/

As above, to me it looks like its been chemically changed, then gone over with a wire brush. Reminds me of what rusty iron meteorites look like after sodium hydroxide treatment, a rust cure.

Strange, after reading that art sword thread, I ended up buying a Naokatsu too

Hoanh, can you tell us what the moto-kasane is please?, just curious.

What Paul said ^, my first thought also was Nanbokucho or maybe into early Muromachi, judging from what I can see of the sugata and dark jigane etc. I think the kissaki was a little longer at one time. Nice sword.

I like the fuchi, spent ages looking for one like that once, never found one.

The first thing that crossed my mind when i read your statement Jacques was what about an exceptional works by a lower ranking smith, is that not art?