Alex A

Think what we need to remember here is we are sadly dealing with morons. Said this before, look at prisons as an example. Not allowed knives but folks still get stabbed. If they cant stop it there then they cant stop it on the streets. Its absolutely crazy.

Dee, you misunderstood me. I see why, maybe i should have been more clear. What i meant was your comparison above demonstrates how a mei might change, for one reason or another. So often here, over the years in past discussions, people ignore the sword and talk like all mei are machine stamped or something. Im talking old discussions, not this one. Hope that makes more sense.

Lately, seen more and more antique percussion pistols deactivated, even though they are legal. That's another concern, hence now will generally consider flintlocks, though who knows.

To me, a good demonstration of why i sometimes find it a bit silly when folks start to discuss mei without even discussing the sword.

Would assume tons of private couriers that will jump at the chance. Seems courier overload these days with the likes of Amazon etc.

They are out there already Colin, spoke to a guy in the UK last year that would ship swords. Though only to the destination airport for pick-up and vice versa. Full delivery was extra cost. I did put a link on here somewhere, at the time. At the time, was looking for a price to send a pistol to the US, so came across his service. From memory, it was around £450

That would narrow the field too much for me, sadly.

The reality is we here are a niche little community with an unusual hobby. Even mentioning the issue to the odd person and you kind of get a vague look, as generally, folks are not bothered whether or not there is a ban on shipping swords as it doesn't effect them. You hit the nail on the head, Stephen, its crazy. Though we have a community that do marches and stuff complaining that knives are the problem and totally miss out the underlying issues. At this stage, maybe if the Government issued licences for folks like us, may actually improve our chances in the future. Not that i want that, just see it as maybe a way to allow the community to continue, without further legislation.

You make a good point Sam about tape with adhesive. On more than one occasion had swords turn up where someone has used tape on a shirasaya and it has left stains that can only be sanded off to get rid of them. Its a bit annoying.

Could you imagine walking into a Ferrari dealers to look at a car and the dealer taking you straight to a small scuff on the back bumper and saying "look at this". That's not the way to sell stuff. Though they have been honest and ask folks to enquire,.

Summed up nicely Colin, its a mess. Amazes me that they never get to the real issue and look like they never will.

Your right about the couriers, Brian. Trouble is, politicians don't seem too bothered either, didn't get a reply when i wrote to the local labour MP, One day we might have to use expensive arms shippers for overseas purchases, just a cost we will have to put up with.

Ive had a few that have started to come apart. Just tease it apart a bit so you you can put a bit of glue in, being careful not to split all of it open. Wrap some chord or elastic around it and let it dry over night. Dont use loads of glue. Some folks will split it apart in its entirety, clean of the old glue and then re-glue. Im in the do as little as possible boat, that will do enough to hold it.

Both blades are on one paper, its a real daisho. as far as I'm aware. Naotane is a well known top notch smith. Price is up for you to decide, all il say is a Naotane daisho is going to be expensive. Those blades cant be judged from those images. ideally, you need to see them in hand. I would if that was my price bracket. They mention Kizu, look into it. Koshirae. a pair like that need high quality koshirae, the skys the limit. If you do buy them, dont cut corners on craftsman and quality fittings. Finding antique tsuba to fit wont be easy, Maybe, you should just look for a daisho with fittings, if koshirae is a big deal. Though you may have to compromise. Finding a pair of genuine daisho swords with koshirae will be kind of impossible. Though you might come across some very good swords, but not a real match. Bit of a money pit throwing money into a koshirae, better finding something already done. (thats my point of view)

You need rice glue, dont use wood glue. Re-glue and wrap some elastic around the saya to hold it whilst it dries. Keep the blade away from it until it is dry. Its common, sometimes the saya has to be split to clean the inside of the saya, hence they don't use strong adhesive

This came in from the Arms and Armour society, some of you will know Matt Easton. Its a case of doing what we can, i did write to parcelforce but did not get anywhere. will try with DHL. Again, as far as aware UPS are still shipping, folks need to be exact with filling in any shipments. As the letter points out, the concern is others will follow, l have a blade that still needs finishing in Japan, seems to me they need to get a move on with finishing it. What a country, depresses me that law abiding folks like us have to put up with this. email below............................................. Dear colleagues in the blade trade, Some of you will know me, but for those who don't, I run an antique arms & armour company, fencing clubs, and work on replicas with the Royal Armouries and others. I therefore have to deal with the import and export of swords on a day to day basis. I know that all of you do too. This matter affects all blade trades, from antique auctions and dealers to the movie industry, to museums and fencing clubs. Last year we saw Royal Mail/Parcelforce suddenly change their rules around the postage of blades very suddenly and this threw everything into turmoil. This affected many of us, and after a lot of lobbying and getting into various media such as the Antiques Trade Gazette, they did revise their policy slightly after a couple of months to permit blunt blades, fencing weapons, antiques and a few other categories. Many of us switched to using DHL, UPS and DPD, who all shipped blades for account holders without the sudden threat of changing the rules again. Some of you have been using these other providers for years, even decades. Yesterday we found out that DHL is now putting a block on shipping blades over 8 inches long. Given what is happening now with DHL, and given what happened last year with Royal Mail/Parcelforce, I would anticipate similar actions from the likes of UPS and DPD in the future, so this affects us all. Various of us have been in contact with our DHL account managers and had this policy change confirmed now. Apparently the decision was made by 'the board' (the UK board), and their message below implies that anything over 8 inches is a 'zombie knife' (which is of course incorrect!): Their message: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ I propose that those of us who have an interest in trying to overturn, or at least modify, this decision by the DHL UK board coordinate a response. Or at the very least, send our individual responses and keep each other in the loop. I think there might also be mileage in engaging with trading bodies and organisations, for example LAPADA, which some of you might have the best contacts for. If you want to be part of this, please let me know by return email. Parcelforce or UPS could also revise their rules at any time. Regardless of whether you use DHL or not, I think that this is a sign of things coming down the pipeline and it would be better to be as prepared as possible. For those of you using DHL, I have also obtained the email address for the DHL UK Managing Director, Ian Wilson - exec.customerrelations@dhl.com - who is the person in charge of customer relations and complaints. You can of course send direct letters to him there, or join our coordinated effort. I have currently sent this email to a BCC list so that people's inboxes don't get spammed, but if you would like to be included in a group discussion then please say so by return email and I will look into that. Please feel free to forward this email to anybody you think it will concern. We need to start coordinating and building some media support if we are going to protect these sectors. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Best wishes, Matt Easton

As far as im aware, they are not the last shipper Try UPS

Wouldn't put me off, old swords change with time.

Ive been told and read about that Jean, but not sure it will end up dark enough. Though will defo look into it more and maybe do some tests to find out. Cheers.

The dark patina is what i want for the brass cannon, when i eventually get around to it Colin. Seen some firm online that makes a product that will achieve that colour. This is an old cheap cannon ornament, i am not recommending this for tsuba, at all. But yes, thanks Colin, thats what I'm after and good to see the variation. On a level with antique bronze or thereabouts.

The Complete Guide to Brass Oxidation: Causes, Prevention, and Cleaning - MFG Shop Imagine the tsuba hanging in some room with varying temps etc, sulphur from coal fires etc. No surprise to me you will see tsuba with differing patina, especially if sat on a wall or whatever

Thanks Colin, that's great to see.

Lots of reasons, Jean. There was a thread on this subject years ago. A smith may make two swords for a customer, one gets chosen, the other sold off unsigned. Just one example of many. A forge was often overstocked and swords just sold off, as is, for one reason or another. Heard stories of modern forges being overstocked, swords at varying states of completion. Signing swords wasn't always top of the priority list, swords being signed was not always a necessity for anyone buying a sword

Disagree with that one Jean, there are tons of unsigned Shinshinto blades.

What John said. Though with what you say and what we see, my first thought was something like Jumyo.