Alex A

Hi Greg, the subject of oil as been covered extensively, if you do a search you will find many opinions.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14894-choice-between-these-two-choji-oil/?hl=choji http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12978-choji-oil-a-bad-idea/?hl=mineral&do=findComment&comment=134779

Hi Greg, i didnt have a Shirasya either, just oiled it and left it standing on its mune in a suitcase in the wardrobe out of the way. Pity its the kissaki end, good luck with sorting it. Just to add, when i had this problem i switched to a more gloopy gun oil to help try and stop any more damage. Im not saying load it with oil, just be a bit more particular in that area of the blade until its sorted out. I suppose if its really bothering you then you could store the blade as mentioned in my first paragraph, again until its sorted. A real pain in the ass situation, keep a close eye on the swords for faint marks folks, this problem is a sneaky one.

I had the same trouble a while ago, very annoying, a good sword in good polish and I was a bit reluctant to get involved as it was a fair way down, maybe 6 or 7". I spoke to a saya maker that I know and he said that he might be able to sort it without splitting the saya. I marked where it was marking with some masking tape and posted off the saya only (I don't like posting blades), he did the necessary work without having to split the saya, he had the tools for the job (better ones than me anyway). Store the sword safely out of the way if you do this. All good now, no problems, hope that helps.

Hope you recover your swords swiftly!. When all this is sorted, do please let us know his name, hopefully it will prevent it happening to someone else in the future.

Karl, we are aware of this, we are talking about the original OPs post and whether or not the sword is LIKELY to receive Hozen or not ,the general conclusion is unlikely, although it is upto the OP whether or not he wishes to pursue it.

Lets face it, its not like were short of authentic Tadahiro examples to go off and purchase. Its a good job the NBTHK/NTHK do not include SPECULATING in their appraisals, or do they? If I were to buy a Tadahiro sword, would I want one with any discrepancies WHATSOVER?............ I would want TYPICAL work, .NO i wouldn't want an unpapered sword that makes me want to SPECULATE. Ie, he was drunk when he signed, he was ill when he signed, he hit is thumb with an hammer the day before, it was part of a CODE, he was trying out a new style that particular day etc etc. I don't mind Karls input (although i do not agree with him and think he may well be here to just wind folk up ), it brings out some very educational responses from various folk and will answer questions for the new folk. Reading through these type of threads as also made me question stuff, so in a way helped me learn and stay interested. I do think dealers should be careful when they are selling swords, Take Aoi for example, they clearly list gimei as UNRELIABLE SIGNATURE All good fun, and educational thread.

Hi Karl, out soon.so a quicky question. Using your *CODE*... Let me know which HIZEN smith uses a tiny tiny stroke in ZEN (hardly any stroke), as in the sword in this thread, and show me other examples of his work... Best.

Best wishes to all for the new year!

Ok, so were all in agreement...Karl... I mean John (sorry )...wise not to spend any money on shinsa... ... ... ...code Well, no less bizarre than a ninja on the roof!

That comes as a big surprise, similar writing style too ... ... ...

Karl, are you John by any chance??? All those compliments...........hehe Lol.

Here we go again, Ok, having had a look at the mei and comparing it to other examples, I think its fair to say there is more wrong with it than you can shake a stick at. I enjoy to speculate too sometimes, but that doesn't get you an Hozen I'm afraid, unless maybe there is a special Hozen award for speculating . I respect Karls efforts, but unless he gets on a plane to Tokyo and convinces and educates the NBTHK/NTHK of his theories/findings or even gets on to a shinsa panel then in my humble opinion this sword will receive no Hozen for Tadahiro. Ps John, all the folk above (including me) took time to help you and you have kind of come across slightly insulting and ungrateful in your last statement. Oh well, I suppose we can only try to help. You will need to remember that giving advice, checking mei etc can be time consuming and a bit of a pain, its not something that I or anyone else take on likely, it can also make one look a complete plonker should one get it wrong, so think on.

For once, we have someone who knows what they want................hallelujah.

Hi John, always remember when you buy a sword you must consider whether it will be an easy or hard sell in the future. Assume it is gimei, as you are aware. Are you also aware that if it is gimei and you wish to receive an Hozen in the future, the mei must be removed, that is an added hassle. Gimei big name Katana go for anything between £800 and £1600 on fleebay, price being pushed up a by the deluded. Average, papered, mumei, Shinto katana, these can be an hard sell. I'm guessing if it were a genuine Tadahiro katana, it would already be papered and have a fairly big price tag. I guess you know all this but are looking for positives to back up your way of thinking. We all get impulsive from time to time and look for someone to give a no bull piece of advice (even when we already know the answer), done it myself recently, looking back, I'm glad I asked, sometimes we just need a no-nonsense reminder and wake up call. Having said all that, if you really do like the sword, then I hope your very happy with it

Your decision John, all I will say is know what you buy and buy with your your brains and not your heart.

Hi John, is this the sword?, whats his take on the sword?, he has it in hand,so a lot easier. He lists it as an Hizen Tadahiro katana, not a katana signed Hizen Tadahiro. http://www.nihonto.com.au/html/hizen_tadahiro_katana.html

Dotanuki wakizashi with long kissaki on Aoi http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-kyusyu-higo-dotanuki-uemon

I didn't know, I was always under the impression that a negative couldn't be removed. Anyway, thanks for the heads up.

As long as you like the sword, and you don't pay a Tadahiro price, all is good.

Yes, nice hada, Osaka Master. Il top window shopping for now, but carry on with the lottery.

Joel, did you list the problem when you left a negative feedback for other folk to see? High5 is definitely the wrong name

Quality Horimono http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-awataguchi-ikkanshi-tadatsuna-hori-dosaku Not my consignment by the way

Yes, don't get too attached and keep doing the lottery.

I like them, but that's where it ends. I was looking at a collection in the latest Bonhams London catalogue, the "Solomon Fuld" collection, interesting.

Cheers Barry, just ordered me one