Alex A

Nice sword Ben, well done... Some more info here, maybe of use. http://sanmei.com/contents/media/S11455_S7582_PUP_E.htm Alex.

If only the newbie could see and understand all this information before he dives in with both feet... In REALITY, i would say the vast majority of newbies wont have the inclination, or the sense to read into the subject before buying. I would imagine that a great many swords are not sold to collectors, but to someone with spare cash who just wants a "REAL" samurai sword. The newbie will see a sword on a website, phone the dealer and the dealer (if wrong dealer) will tell the newbie all kinds of interesting tales, but he will not bring up talk of gimei... Obviously, there are newbies, with more sense.., i might add.. Knowing nothing, the less sensible newbie will look for a dealer, usually in his own country and if he is lucky enough he will find a good dealer. If on the other hand, he stumbles across the wrong dealer, then it is highly likely he will pay over the odds. note to "NEWBIE" only....important...make sure it sinks in!. BEWARE DEALERS WHO ONLY STOCK NON PAPERED BLADES AND GIVE THE REASON FOR DOING SO AS "SHINSA COSTS TOO MUCH, AND IS TOO MUCH HASSLE" I may also add, that there are a great many excellent dealers, all the folk on here know who they are, so newbie, if your lucky enough to read this post before buying, then find out who these dealers are, and deal with them... Alex.

Add to that a serious flaw appearing, and its a poor show indeed...... Alex.

My advice.... TOTAL NEWBIES SHOULDNT BUY SWORDS BUT IF THEY INSIST, then................................................ READ ALL THE ABOVE AND DONT BUY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND FULLY WHAT AS BEEN WRITTEN!!!!! then. YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF, DO YOU REALLY HAVE A PASSION FOR NIHONTO??, OR IS IT JUST A PASSING STAGE IN YOUR LIFE, IN OTHER WORDS, ARE YOU BEING IMPULSIVE???....IF YOU DONT HAVE A PASSION, AND FEEL YOU ARE BEING IMPULSIVE THEN DO NOT BUY ANYTHING, YOU WILL REGRET IT!. I would say, as a newbie then you should only buy a SIGNED ubu blade, with PAPERS, in FULL polish with no FLAWS. If you dont, then as a newbie knowing DIDDLY SQUAT you will buy something you may well REGRET. More expensive, but if your serious and take on the hobby you will be glad you chose WISELY. There is nothing better than owning a QUALITY, sound blade with PROVENANCE. The more INFORMATION you have, the better. This is just my opinion, that of a newcomer myself. Alex.

Ironically, a dealer in the UK once told me that an awful lot of genuine nihonto as gone into China, infact, he said that's where most his blades went. Alex.

Fair Point Jean, but 2 or 3 is better than 0, one must consider other reasons why someone has a (0). Unscrupulous buyers and sellers set up one off accounts for one off scams. Ive even heard of accounts being set up just so sellers can give their competitors bad feedback. Ive just posted a meteorite to a (0), in what i would call, an high risk country, and i cant pretend that it doesnt concern me, mainly because Paypal always sides with the buyer....a tricky situation may incur, but hopefully not..... Alex.

Im always suspicious of sellers with a (0), furthermore, im always suspicious of buyers with a (0). Alex,

Richard, I can do better. Once I had a package turn up that looked like an Alsation had been chewing on it, the contents where not even in the box, they where in a clear plastic bag along with the torn box and an apology from the postal service. Luckily, nothing was missing. Alex.

I want one Alex.

Ouch!, cheers Peter..... Alex.

How safe is it buying online from an auction like this?. Ive always been interested, not just for nihonto but other items aswell, just never got round to it. I notice the condition of the blades is not advertised and that you need to request a report, how accurate are these reports?. I can see how folk may be tempted by some of the lower end priced items. Alex

Never seen so many Kabuto and armour for sale in one place, cool. Alex.

And finger :D . Alex

Joe, perhaps folk could be of more help if you photograph the rest of the sword and maybe give a brief description. Alex.

The sale of imitation nihonto blossomed during the running of that show, i was guilty, still have it. still looks cool :D Alex.

Me too, great series, as a lot to answer for :D Alex

Be careful Joe, sharp sword and bare feet is a bad combo, could really ruin those nearly matching socks of yours . Alex.

Joe, I am curious as to how you would judge a blade "beyond repair".What you may think is junk because of hagire etc may be important work, and worth saving. Alex.

You cant quibble for that price, with the gun included, it makes the sword a freebie!. The patina on the Tsuba looks unusual, has someone had a go at wet and dry?, or is it just the pic?. Alex.

A gent. Stories like this often get me thinking about the famous missing Honjo Masamune blade. Alex.

Now i see, cheers John. Alex.

Probably a silly question, why would someone go to the trouble of putting in silver inlay, only for it to be lacquered?, unless the silver inlay was not lacquered over?, just something that springs to mind when i see a decorated kokinko tsuba. Alex.

Some late muromachi Tensho koshirae have very small tanto sized tsuba. Alex.

Mike, for piece of mind, i would have a new shirasaya made, not too expensive. Alex.

I see the assembly police have arrived, joking Mariusz . I do agree. A koshirae done badly is a waste of money and time, some may say a koshirae done well is still a waste of money and time , keep the original shirasaya!. Parts can be difficult to come by, it can take years. As for pricing, there are traditionally trained craftsman who are reasonable, allthough expect to be in a que for a while. Wanting a blade in koshirae is down to ones own taste, the blade can still be appreciated. If the parts are correct, the rest of the work is traditional and authentic, what harm can it do, besides blow a huge hole in your pocket. Alex.