Alex A

Slashing and stabbing crazies , against them, I would need 2 big clunkers!!... :D Alex

A none disappointment philosophy :D Alex.

Now that puts an whole new spin on the inspection period/return policy, ouch.. Alex.

As annoying as it may be, i was just thinking how many sales they may loose by folk dropping out whilst an item is on hold. In Aoi,s defence, it is good of them to put items on hold without taking a deposit, maybe the offer of "fast cash" was just too much to turn away. Alex.

Yagyu, breaking waves design (tatsunami), early Edo. Alex.

So, in reality, for anyone wishing to sell a reasonably high priced sword, Ebay is totally out of the running... Alex.

In light of all the bad publicity that Ebay seems to have acquired as a buyers mine field, bargain hunters galore, I wonder how many of you would actually try and sell higher priced swords there. The higher priced swords ive seen on there, £5000 and up, seem to be on there for an eternity, Ebay as its limits, does it not?. Alex.

Ive been wondering when this would happen, now its happened, not good, maybe they do read NMB :D Interesting that 4 out of the 5 bidders has a bid history with the seller. Alex.

Im in the middle of reading a good little book by Stephen Turnbull, ironically, theres a few snippets of information on the odachi/nodachi/seodachi (back carried tachi). He states that many of the surviving examples where made for presentation, rather than for battle. Apparently they where a great threat to a man on horseback on the Sengoku battlefield, with the horses legs being top of the agenda. Some where not sharpened all the way down the blade, hence they make good clubs too. Id be interested if there was such a book, if anyone knows? Alex.

As long as the 70# samples check out ok and it does not feel on the flimsy side, then im sure it will be ok. If not, i presume folk will not grumble if you need to order 80# instead, only $3 per set after all. Its about geting a balance right, quite a thickish book at 500 pages (250 leaves approx), you dont want it to be flimsy, but on the other hand, you dont want it to end up like a doomsday book. Alex.

3 words, patina, lack, of. Alex.

Having had more time to think about this today (hectic yesterday), and with quality being in mind, I am tempted to say that the insides should now be printed on a slightly thicker stock. I am now suggesting 115 gram, I believe it may be described as 80# in the US, this would need to be verified with the printers. Although 104 gram (70#) is adequate, I think a slightly thicker sheet will prevent show through ( text visable through other side of sheet). All this obviously will need to be discussed with the printers, presuming there is no sample sheets. I should also point out that some printers will use a 104 gram stock as an alternative to 115 gram, nothing wrong with that as long as it feels about the same in hand. All down to paper density. Sorry to complicate things a little. To sum up, the insides should be printed on the thickest and best quality stock possible for that particular type and size/thickness of book. Something may have to give somewhere, depending on price. Err on the side of caution, is whats in mind. Alex.

Sounds good. Alex.

Just had to make a quick edit, forgot it was a 500 pages. Ok, 70# Matt is fine....104 gram....bang on :D Alex.

100 gram silk/matt (same thing, coated stock) is what you need the insides on.. Im unsure what 60# 70# is? is this a US standard?, I would need the weights, as mentioned, to let you know, you will need samples, if possible. They should be able to give you a weight/grammage.... gram/square metre.... Eg 100 grams is 100 gram per square metre Alex.

David, obviously a generalization :D Alex.

Looks like the nakago as quite a lot took off it. I stand to be corrected, but im thinking a much shortened shinshinto tachi maybe?. Alex.

Chris, no papers=money in pocket ...... money in pocket=buy books for knowledge Knowledge=no need for papers......... now that's cool Alex.

Great photo Henk, and interesting, never heard that one before.. Ps, now i get why the Japanese used their swords in WW2. Alex.

Chris, you already have an attribution , why spend any money on papers. Alex.

Theres no shortcut to an aged looking patina unless you really know what your doing. Theres plenty of home DIYs on the internet, includes, salty water, lemon juice, eggs (as mentioned), liver of sulphur (toxic/hazerdous), even urine??. I tried all of these (apart from urine ) to see if i could patinate new copper seppa. I used new shiny copper coins in the experiment. The results where, salty water= patchy discolour lemon juice= nothing eggs= patchy discolour urine=take a wild guess Liver of sulphur= the only one that really did anything, but looked false compared to genuine aged copper coins. As pointed out, it is also an unstable patina. I did actually leave one in the garden on the window sill, its turned black, so i suppose it has natural patina, but not the patina i was looking for. I thought i would note all this down, incase someone else in the future is an "hands on" kind of guy, LOL. Alex.

I read about this as a method for patinating copper. As brass is made partly from copper, I presume it may be affected, but wouldn't expect too much of a result. Theres a lot on the internet on this, but in reality, it doesnt work too well. Looks fine as it is, I would just leave it. Alex.

Now theres a business idea for them, theyl be on the phone to Hollywood :D Alex.

I have come to a conclusion. Dont buy one. Alex.

If they can already make good copies, then why not make good copies?. Why even sell from China?. I suppose the simple answer is, because they sell as they are, just takes the right person to come along.... Alex.