Alex A

Another F*^%%% As•¥$$€ To the ignore list

What John just said. Also, someone mentioned the nakago has been altered likely to fit a tsuka, think they may be correct. If someone wanted to add mekugi-ana to add an age appearence they went about it assways. Would have made more sense to just put them at different points down the nakago.

"Sometimes appreciation is very complicated matter." Nail on head , Jussi Cheers

Well Jimmy, read some quotes on here over the years but that statement has come from someone on the tallest horse i ever did see, more like off a giraffe or even a Trojan horse I have a little time before work so will try and make things a little clear for you. Whilst not an expert and never claim to be i feel ive seen enough in my time to have an opinion. Its no concern whether you like it or not. Earlier, i was referring to the comparison between swords and paintings, so no point going over that again. First, the only thing that matters to me in this hobby is to look at a blade and be able to 1)know its level of quality and 2)be able to work out what it is (the fun part). As for horimono, i dont like intricate carvings on polished bright blades/steel. Show me a beautiful carved soft metal tsuba and thats a different story. I would not want to own a sword solely due to a carving, its the blade/quality alone that is the interest. Obviously, im not saying there is no skill in these carvings!, although i find many lifeless. There comes a time for any "collector" to be honest with themselves and really take a closer look., answer those niggles. Narrow the field, so to speak. Anyways, been an interesting thread, be good to find out more about about why folk pick out certain smiths above others, maybe you could enlighten us ? Best get off to water the bonsai haha

Il get my coat

There are swords and there are swords, Some you just pick up and you know straight away how much effort went into it and what the smith intended. You pick up other swords and the reality is "art" came in 2nd. This is the trouble. Sometimes you watch a video of a modern swordsmith making a sword, that sword turns out beautiful and you really appreciate it as "art". Thats about the only time i forget about function, the fact its a weapon. Hope my rambling makes sense.

Jussi, for someone thats main concern is the shape and size of swords, i have to say, you really do go far and beyond what you really need to know and add a lot of interesting info here for us all to pick up on, so thanks for that. Paul, the Yukimitsu, this is what is good to find out. A blade you come across that speaks volumes. For me opens other avenues of thought, same with the Tadakuni i mentioned earlier. So many swords and smiths............... Appreciate the extra words

Thanks Paul, your consistency stands out.

Jussi, i find it interesting, definitely Just slightly meaningless without people telling us why they picked their list and adding some enlightenment, at the moment it is just lists of names.

Exotic hamon ?, All hamon types listed in a few pages in a book along with hataraki, wouldnt get too carried away. Horimono, simple carvings on a blade, mostly, and yes there are some skilled and more intricate carvings but thats the minority . Only so much you can get into a piece of steel, as mentioned. Been looking at blades for 15 years day in and day out, i dont form my opinion likely, and as mentioned this thought as always been a lurking.

This has been an interesting thread and it has raised a niggle or two that have always been lurking in the background. Going to sound like im raining on the parade now but perhaps others have had the same thought. The comparison to paintings and music, those have infinite possibilities whilst im sad to say blades do not. Metal art work YES, different geometry and change of basic material and ways of manipulating that material to come up with a LIMITED number of variations (hataraki etc), each containing whatever "artist" intended. Imagine if paintings had the same visual boundaries!!, My point being there is only so much you can get into a blade, sorry but its the truth. Not detracting from their beauty and appeal though. You cant compare the variants in paintings or music to that of a blade. My final point on this and i think its already been mentioned. You have different smiths at different times working in different ways with different materials.. Sometimes in ways that did not allow them to go out on a limb and be all flamboyant. Think this thread would be more interesting with some examples of blades by these top 10 smiths, if possible. Reasons why you think your top 10 smiths are the best. Others may be too afraid to pull out their top 10 as it does not conform with what has been written in books, this is what i would find really interesting.

Can imagine many scenarios that would make for a dodgy mei ”Sign this last bunch and as soon as your finished you can get off” Just one example Ps, not saying the mei on your wak looks dodgy, looks ok to me!

You see signed Sukesada blades with really shoddy looking mei that you would think are gimei at first glance but are papered Hozen. They are difficult to match as so many signed. Look at the blade first, everyone said Bizen after all. I think sometimes there is no need to pay for Shinsa. Awarded NMB Hozen

Hi Dave, if my misses lens are anything to go off il stick with the cotton I get what saying but not for me, some contain nylon I tried them once, decent ones and compared to how cotton material felt on the blade it put me right off, stopped immediately. Its not natural but plastic, not as soft and gentle as cotton. Im a bit picky, got a blade here with a small mark caused by the saya rubbing on the blade, it dont take much. Hence, i dont see the need to change to something i dont like and to be honest, feel that repeated use over time might effect the blade, the wy kitchen sinks go from shiny to dull over years. Micro fibre great for windows, cleaning the car etc but for me i wont use it on an antique blade of value. Anyways, thats just me, not intended to put it in the same league as uchiko or anything. For anyone interested, clean your blade and then try an old clean cotton t shirt or something and compare it with micro fibre wiping over the blade, some might see my point maybe. Cheers.

Thats a relief! Seems daft they still being picky about the 2nd bunch of items, but thats consistent with their mentality

Hi Michael, just 100% cotton Old white rags, nothing special

For what its worth, i wont use micro fibre either as i consider it abrasive. Horses for courses

Another i thought it might be, couldnt remember earlier. Norimitsu.

Yes, i think Bizen too, and on that note i will go with a Sukesada of some sorts.

I will just give one example, my own opinion and want to make it clear im no expert (as not wanting to upset Jacques) Constantly read over the years about Tadayoshi but in all honesty, i would rather own a TOP NOTCH blade in the style i like by a lesser known in that school, Tadakuni. Seen enough online and in hand over the years to form that personal opinion, and thats all it is. Thats just one smith, pulling out a list that covers every era i would find impossible.

For me, too much enthesis on top swordsmiths shadows those that are as good or better than those in the limelight. All personal opinion, and limited knowledge/experience can only take you so far.

Parcelfarce wont insure anything described as antique. Maybe try someone else like UPS or as mentioned, hit the road.

Personally Ian, that one looks easy to live with.

Shouldnt laugh, but the worry getting that through our customs might see one off Would love see their faces.

What we need to know here, does the mekugi ana hole line up ?