Alex A

Yes Dick, could peri the oncoming bullets, like in the wolverine films :D Alex.

This is turning into a complex topic lol, just for a minute, forget vanadium and modern steels and ask yourself.. During world war2, would a soldier with a gun need a particularly high strength blade? Alex.

Very educational Mark, but still cant help siding with the traditional over the ww2 type 98, biased I suppose. Alex.

Cheers Remy, knew id read it somewhere. Alex.

The steel on a traditional blade is wrapped around an iron core. I may be wrong but im sure they tried solid steel blades, but alas, they broke. Surely good quality steel of the time wasn't that bad? Alex

Wow, thanks for the answers guys!. Was this technology available during ww2? Alex.

How is high quality carbon steel of old different from high quality carbon steel of modern times?.... Alex.

I would look back to the past, look at why swords broke in battle and why changes where made to construction. If simple construction was adequate there would have never been a need to change. A sword in world war 2 was not up against another sword or naginata etc, so im presuming they didnt need to be as strong, allthough strong enough!. Only accurate testing would give you an answer, equal size swords, maybe a job for the mythbusters :D My moneys on the more flexible heavily laminated blade. Alex.

More arms fair than sword show, allthough there are nihonto dealers. I take the lad, its become a yearly tradition. Alex.

Its simple Mike, a nice idea, if you want to do it and can afford it, then do it. If theres any hesitancy, then dont. Its never going to be a wise financial buy, like anything in this game. At least you will have something left, something special for you to pass on, sure your son or daughter will see the sentiment one day..... Alex.

Common sense prevails...dont you just hate being sensible :D Alex.

Mike, i really like the idea. im sure the misses will come round to the idea.........eventually. Im sure someone will tell you that you may have to up the budget, but hey, this project deserves it! :D Alex.

Brian, a fitting thread for the caption above your name, the last time i noticed it was when i was in the middle of buying my last sword, kind of had me concerned lol, had visions of me living in a tent, with 5 full sword racks and a scruffy dog :D . For some people collecting anything to do with nihonto is an hobby, to most though, a luxury. Alex.

Off topic, but a wise investment, don't laugh.....meteorites... Edit, jeeze, first pint was strong lol Alex

Il drink to that, im off down the pub :D Alex.

High cost items can be hard to sell on, easier for well known and respected dealers to ask higher prices. Bare that in mind when you decide to be a bit lavish with the spending. People prefer to buy from reputable sources, hence the large amount of consignment sales that you see. Your average Joe (ie me) can have a blowout once in a while that will likely upset the wife ( one, maybe two in life max :D ), but tieing too much money up in this hobby I think is unwise, unless your wealthy, then it is not as big of a concern. Buy what you like, BUT what you can afford. Alex.

Pure class Ron, pure class... Alex.

Who knows, Justin, you may get lucky!. Whilst on the subject, I was wondering how many dealers truly make a living from selling nihonto?. Most I suspect, do this as a part time hobby kind of thing... Alex.

Justin, being honest, poor investments.... Alex.

I bought these very simple, non intricate, but cute long eared Hare/or rabbit? menuki recently. The previous owner thinks they may possibly be shakudo, i think there probably yamagane. Early edo? or ko kinko? maybe, im not sure. Ive seen a very similar pair recently labelled as ko kinko. Any help appreciated. Not sure i should have put the post here, just seemed fitting as its the study of menuki. Alex.

Not something you can pick up at Halfords then Denis?, maybe Hoofords will have it :D . Alex.

Thanks Thomas and John. My way to go around it was to compare it to similar sized swords in koshirae but im not sure how accurate that would have been. The nakago, 6", is only large enough to be held in one hand allthough the blade is heavy. It was made by the Dotanuki smiths, Dotanuki, Higo province around 1560, ancestry goes back to Enju Kunimura.The Dotanuki smiths made many swords in a time of war as you probably know. Picture is the only one I could in a rush before work, next to katana and wak in koshirae. That's not my carpet by the way, just a rug Edit, should have pointed out nakago measures 6" after the habaki!, sorry, so nakago is rougly 7" approx. I have read that shirasaya tsuka are shorter than koshirae tsuka. If I know roughly how much shorter they are, maybe that then would give me an idea of koshirae tsuka length? Alex

I would try Jeans approach. Looks a fiddly job. For this to work the 2 surfaces need to be totally clean. The clamping needs to spot on. I would make something that fits underneath, so that when you do clamp it, it wont just cave in. I would use masking tape to clamp it or a rubber band etc. Look for a dark epoxy resin mix, i have seen black somewhere. Dont be tempted, like i usually am to poke it to see if its stuck :D , as i usually do!. Clamp it, then leave it for a good few hours.One of those jobs that will look a balls up if done wrong. Alex.

Hi Dick, thanks for that, interesting read, not something i can remember coming across before. It is a reasonably large, heavy katana so im presuming uchigatana one handed style may not work for it, unless your built like hulk hogan. Cheers, Alex.

Is it possible, from blade length and nakago length (ubu) to guesstimate the size of an original tsuka length on a late muromachi sengoku katana?. Cheers in advance for any help... Nakago measures 6" in length, blade 28" Alex.