Alex A

Think it may have been an ishido sword. Anyways, yes it happens. Possibly more on blades with more exaggerated curve when shortened, never really thought about it Not a great example below, but get the idea. The one mentioned above cut a lot more of the mei off.

You know what, do remember one on Aoi a few years ago with most of the mei running off the side. Thought it was a bit weird, but never really give it much thought since.

That's fantastic.

Could do with a pic Mei can appear cut off in various ways after shortening.

With what's available you have to assume its gimei. and price accordingly.

Good job, impressed,

To me, judging by the nakago it looks old, not Shinshinto. Ana appear old and the varying surface to the nakago appears genuine. From what ive seen of most Shinshinto trying to be Koto, they never pull it off that good. Cant really tell from those images but looks to be Mitsu Mune, so taking that in plus the hada etc id be looking to see if it fits a shortened Muromachi Shimada sword or any others. Good luck with your research and possible purchase.

Ive always associated the use of foreign steel with rather bland looking hada, but maybe thats because ive never really looked that much into the smiths work that were involved with it.

Its like modern art, interpret that question how you want?

Aye, i get that. Was lately drawn to a Tadayoshi wak that was a notare/gunome With such ideas you need to think of resale, i guess many wont steer away from the typical. It seemed cheap, perhaps that's the reason why. Anyways, the sword above you would struggle to re-sell.

Hi Sam, used a tiny amount of Parker Hale Express gun oil since i started collecting, no issues.

Kind of acceptable on some old blades, in moderation, depends.

I dunno Stephen. Its an horses for courses thing My personal take on this is that there are better modern oils For me, its akin to cooking with lard lol

Usually dark patches in photos like that indicate core steel

My advive Dont use Choji oil, use a decent gun oil (as backed up by Aoi Art, they should know, see below) Dont use Alcohol. Wiping an old thin oil film off, not maple syrup or the like. Maybe you guys need Alcohol because you are using choji, dunno. Just use soft cloths. "Special notes ; 1. Generally, Choji oil has been used to treat Japanese swords. This is a sticky vegetable oil traditionally used in cleaning swords. It promotes oxidization of the blade that will result in rust in the future. In our opinion, and based on our experience, we do not advise you to use Chyoji oil. We suggest that you use high-quality machine oil on your sword. This is the same type used when maintaining guns or sewing machines, and it is the only oil that we use with our swords at Aoi Art."

Must say, well done Grant. Nice to see a sensible approach from a newbie with realistic expectations. Briefly, if you want old at a reasonable price, expect a worn signed tanto or wak in shrasaya by lower tier smith, maybe mumei with or without papers. Occasionally see them, expect to pay around £1200 upwards Sometimes see signed late Muromachi Tanto at reasonable prices. I picked up a signed Muromachi Mino Tanto here in the sales section a good few years ago, a few tiny chips but in good polish. $650. Needed a tsuba and re-wrap. You need patience and lots of time trawling sites, i will warn you though, it can become addictive. Lost count of the tuts and comments i received from the Misses whilst on such quests. A great way to learn. Being brief, as mentioned above, lots to consider and compromises involved. We have a few experienced genuine sellers here, that wont rip you off. Good luck.

Are you sending it back ? Sometimes with care they can be straightened, trouble is if you try it and break it off then i guess its your problem.

Do various antique arms forums. Surprising really the amount of help that folks new to the hobby receive here, truly noticeable compared with other forums. Folks readily sharing lots of time and the info from books that they paid a lot of money for, i don't see a lot on such other forums. Newbies very lucky here, some take the ****, some ungrateful , that's people i suppose.

One has a Sarcopenia appearance, thin limbs like it needs go gym.

Aye, I'm coming around a bit now to the notion this nonsense will get sorted...................hopefully Don't take bad collecting news well lol

Its the same with antique guns Colin. Can easily import them with UPS but apparently exporting isn't quite so straight forward

Hearing that don't make me any more confident about buying more swords, sad to say. Ps, might come across as overreacting lol, but no, just being prudent. Don't like what i see via those that govern us. Can just imaging some narrow minded soft ass know it all down at HQ intent on banning pointy things.

It wont matter whether they are "antique" ok or not as i expect more couriers and airlines to jump on the bandwagon So yes you can own them but no you cant post them, so as said in another recent thread the field of sale will narrow, should you want to sell. As in, someone willing to drive to your house kind of a sale What happens when the likes of Aoi art cant get their swords to be delivered here, they go via EMS and usually Parcelforce finish the job. Also as said in the other thread, folks that wish to ship swords abroad will be forced to use specialist shippers which are expensive. Shippers that get your sword to the designated airport. Its up to the buyer to get his arse to the airport and sort the pick-up out, no more sitting on the arse watching tracking and wating for the courier to arrive. At extra cost an agent will sort the extra hassles, if required. Pissed off but had an idea it was coming. Will try hang on to the antiques for now but feel the need to start selling my knife collection. Just to mention also. Your not supposed to post antique firearms with the post office, but folks do, without hassles.

Game over for me, Too risky hanging on to stuff that one day i cant ship Most will go. as from tomorrow.

All i will add is that good and "collectable" items can be found for affordable prices, even for folks on a tight budget. Takes a little time, patience and education. Its not just learning about swords etc, its about learning where to look and how spot something suspicious. If anything looks too good to be true then, as the saying goes. I surely believe there is no need to accumulate junk on any budget, that's from experience. Think too many threads lately involving "cookie" tsuba , iffy swords and uneducated sword searches are having an impact lol You don't get into any type of collecting without educating yourself a little, that's kind of dumb and a recipe for buyers remorse.