Alex A

Contrary to what some may say, judging sugata from photos can be the most misleading aspect, for me.

Personally, would let it soak in oil and gently go over it with a tooth brush a few times And as above.

Many carrying a Tanto/Katana combo.

Was just looking over old photos of Samurai on Youtube, there's a few on there where fittings don't match. Think maybe some were not so pedantic as we are

Strictly speaking, if you had koshirae made for both swords, then still your Daisho. But who cares, its yours.

Eric, il be honest. Think you may be pushing the boundaries of the term "daisho" Though look to be nice blades, That a Mino sword, who made it ?

In fact, sod it, il have it if still available

Aye, its outstanding. Mariusz, where do you keep finding these gems?, we need to know Never seen so many good old tsuba at such reasonable prices, as what you been selling recently

For me, its two swords used by a Samurai, with the same koshirae. Check out swords of the 47 Ronin for mismatches. Also, if someone puts two swords together and matches the koshirae, its a Daisho. Their Daisho.

Its an interesting question and don't think it can be answered better than what Ian B stated. All i know, if you have something that looks like it needs to be restored. Once restored, you never look at it the same way. Some folk cant live with even minor faults or flaws and feel the need to intervene or run a mile. Antiques ruined by the boat load, see it all the time. With serious issues, obviously something needs to be done, its the minor fault meddling that bugs me and the folk that cant live with such flaws.

Its a nice blade and can see why so many folk like it, Being honest, i find the Nioi-guchi a bit inconsistent and activity a bit erratic No disrespect to the owner, whoever made it had talent but i bet even they would say its not one of their best. Nice to own though.

Great tsuba, great price, i may have it if it don't sell on this occasion. Ana suggests it was once sat on a Yoroi-doshi, makes it even more interesting.

You deserve help Brian, its a FULL TIME jobs, 24hrs. We get to come and go, disappear for a month or whatever, you have the responsibility of running the forum. I don't get why some folks are so tight, its ridiculous.

You might get a few "blood dripping vampires" Baba, but plenty of newbs do well from advice given and also get to buy swords at a lot less than was originally paid by the seller. All evens itself out.

Forgetting the nakago and looking at features of the blade in the original link, the hamon and the masame in the shinogi-ji Kind of reminds me of Mino style Maybe look into Shinshinto Mino/Jumyo as an idea or later that worked in that style. Tricky with that nakago though, Hamachi very healthy. Be interesting what Shinsa would come up with. Interesting tanto, like it.

Thinking maybe someone has tried to artificially age the nakago but not done a great job., whats your thoughts?

Aye, cant say id be too upset about the rejection

Great result, looking at his blades online, i see why.

Lets face it, if auctions and dealers were as honest as we want them to be then profits would plummet. Still amazes me when i see vague write-ups and low res images on some dealers websites. No excuse in this day and age, they do it for one reason, deceive. Then on the other hand overly bull**** eager exaggerated write-ups You ask for better images and its like you have asked them to climb mount Everest Got reminded this week that sometimes they buy items in and then realise they have made a mistake, but the price don't change to customers, and neither does their dishonest write-up. Armour appears to have so many nuances, definitely not beginner friendly.

Better getting new folk into an hobby then putting them off, for obvious reasons. Great to learn about new stuff but no one wants to see folk sorting out their disputes in what should have been educational. Saying that though, as you mention, some good info.

Nice tanto, can we see the nakago ? Cant ever remember seeing one of these that was not modern. Saying that though, you dont see them too often. Remember SwordguyJoe was selling one some time ago, from memory. Think that was by a Mukansa smith. Yours reminds me of the sale.

Shame, the last armour thread was great (for a non-armour dude) Now im sat here thinking armour is ten times the minefield that swords are and looks a real headache in more ways than one. Also, about swords. No real way to know if a koshirae is all out original to a blade. Usually dealers that use that statement.

Reminded of Ishido.

Interesting to read. Makes me think of earlyish Ko Kinko type tsuba made from solid Shinchu, then lacquered that we sometimes come across A Samurai with such a tsuba would be walking around feeling like a Mr T of that era.

Nice sword, like your videos too.