Alex A

" or least use the chisel-code... number of strokes... direction of your chisel etc that identifies you. If any inferior goods are returned to the Smithy... heads-will-roll... as your boss knows who made it. A bit like an identifying-modern-product-date-stamp. I'm so confident in the CODE.. please POST the character HIZEN... frorn ANY 'Tadayoshi School' blade ...and I will tell you who signed it. The hand that held the chisel." Hi Karl, if your code works?, and as in your last statement, it will tell you who signed it. So, not to confuse, but how do we know (for sure) from all this who made it? To clarify, an example. A Tadayoshi (none in particular) asks his student to make five swords, the student makes five swords. So impressed is Tadayoshi that he signs all five swords (using his particular code). A sword is returned by a customer with a problem six months later. Who takes the blame??, poor old Tadayoshi, that's who!. If he had been clever he would covered himself using an apprentice approval code maybe? lol When you say inferior goods returned, can you clarify?, would have thought there would be a pre- delivery inspection. I suppose an example could be a sword brakes in a duel and the customer demands a refund or a replacement maybe?. I suppose you would need a receipt, bill of sale. Where one would draw the line with this I don't know, anti-corrosion warranty maybe Ps, I'm not sure there will be any takers on your offer at the moment, you haven't offered any evidence, images or in-depth explanation to your theory. On a good note though, does get me a wondering/speculating.

This is worth a read Ken. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12646-advices-for-newbies-buyers-rules-of-thumb/

More confusion, you did say Katana, and no I'm not emailing them http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-kato-jyumyo http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-owari-seki-2 http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-bishu-ju-masayasu-kitae-no http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-shinshinto-5 Just to add. Carlos, know what you want, don't mess sellers/dealers around............. I get the impression you really shouldn't be buying and I can see you returning items. (you will lose money and have hassles in the process)

Hi Ken, you may be surprised to learn that they are not much of a conversation piece, at least in my experience, unless your talking to someone with an equal interest. In general though, you may get one or two that thinks they are cool and ask "err, is it sharp", but then really annoy you when they test with their finger (touching any of the blade with greasy fingers is a big NO NO). Of the one or two that think they are cool, you may end up getting bored of having to go over the Muramasa story every time you see them. Some folk may think you are a little strange and eccentric, some will raise an eyebrow when they learn of the expense involved in collecting. On occasions when friends and family visit, I prefer to keep the swords out of the way, to prevent injury and damage to the swords. One more thing, swords are not investments, but a luxury.

Hi Karl, all this talk of codes sounds a bit Bletchley Park.

, I can see why folk go down the armour route

Edit to add. Had a bit more time for messing and one is now on the way, look forward to it

I was just about to order with cdjapan. It gives prices for delivery, but no option to choose. But will let you pay for the book only with paypal. a bit weird, il try elsewhere.

Hi Karl, without numerous examples and evidence, its speculation (as mentioned) However, I admire your effort and find all this interesting:)

Hi Karl, we do need some pictures I know the diamond your talking about, but I'm getting lost. Can you please clarify what it has to do with the mei in question?

I see, cheers Ray.

As I was driving out then I was thinking there may be another reason, one would think a big name would pull a few strings:)

Hozen is enough for some folk, no need to go to higher papers, sword appraised, job done.

One more point that as always been on my mind, and I will state now that on certain occasions I asked for opinions on swords myself, so I'm on no side. Its all well and good passing on advice to newbies, but there is the other side of the coin and I think it was mentioned earlier. Someone passing on their advice may very well loose a genuine someone a sale, simple as that, a plus=minus:(

So in your eyes John, making a profit is a bad thing, god bless ya. Ps, don't worry about smearing me, not assed Those who know me, know me.

Hello John 1) none of my business. 2) why am I duping them?, I'm entitled to try and make a profit. How would you have liked it if I had interfered with your recent Katana advert? .I Iiked the sword, but thought it was overpriced. Reason.....no papers.

As for butting in on pricing, cant say id be too happy. If I payed £8000 for a sword five years ago and then place it on here tomorrow for £10,000, then who as the right to state I'm asking too much? As stated previously, swords eventually find their own price, without interference If someone is selling junk at £10,000, then obviously it wont sell unless the buyer is a complete idiot. I do wonder sometimes if this site as become the ministry for the protection of newbs, guilty myself. Genuine folk do need to sell swords and hopefully for jolly good prices.

Yes, ive read that some of the Osaka master works hada, Sukehiro, Tadatsuna etc is referred to as nashiji.

Excellent Paul, I remember thinking id get me an example one day, until then, Konuka hada will have to do:)

Hi Paul, is this the hada you once photographed?

It is a complete mystery to me why anyone would want to post a negative comment in the for sale section when an item/seller is obviously genuine. Selling swords is a pain in the ass to begin with, without someone posting unwanted, unfounded and unnecessary comments. Personally, i don't think there should be any comments at all, good or bad. Its up to potential buyers to influence themselves.

Hi John Your assumption may be right, my opinion was just that, an opinion. There may well be hundreds of happy customers out there whos opinion differs to mine. A case of doing your homework and then buying wisely.

Hello John All i will say is that there is a dealer on that list who i would certainly not recommend to newbies, for many reasons. Pm me (if need be)and i will give you those reasons. Its up to folk to know what they are buying and what they should be paying, sadly newbies are lacking in this department and tend to rush in, reminds me of the Elvis song:) Most ive dealt with on that list have been a pleasure to deal with, maybe not a pleasure for them to deal with me, i ask too many questions, but rightly so.

Hello Joel. If the seller is offering a no quibble return then i would take him up on his kind offer. Then i would leave the money in the bank, stop trawling Ebay and wouldnt buy another sword until i was 100% sure about what i was buying.

Resurrecting this thread for another piece of advice. Dont forget to say THANK YOU to anyone who took the time to help you.