Alex A

Not wanting to go off on a tangent but relates to what has been said., well, kind of. The mention of different materials and how that has outcome on the final product. Always reminded of this page, with regards Akamatsu Taro smiths making their own tamahagane. http://www.users.on.net/~coxm/?page=Kimura Read on numerous sales pages that this gives their hada a distinct darker colour in this modern age, reminiscent of older blades. Anyways, back on track.

Oh, sorry, weird, missed that. Maybe not weird, but dont like tsuka wrapped in certain colours, like blue and purple. Not keen on brass/gold, Gordy fittings or saya done in stripes lol Deal breakers though, depends.

Anything out of polish, Anything overpriced Anything that is being sold by someone that dont like answering questions or providing more images.

Aye, great to hear from someone with in depth knowledge and experience on the more complicated aspects of this hobby, appreciated. Andrew, if you ever get the time or inclination, be really good to find out what life was like as an apprentice living in Japan, the ups and downs of the job.. Many here say they would love the chance but im guessing its not all plain sailing. Thanks again.

It may have been a Katana at one time, thats the impression i get anyways. Saying that though, very difficult to judge shape accurately in images.

Hi Grev, aye, i was looking into San Diego tsuba, write-ups like this, https://tsubakansho.com/2019/04/18/san-diego-tsuba/ Mine is similar, but copper of some sorts, Suaka/yamagane, not sure to be honest. Difficult to age, the design seems a bit more complex (as in depth of carving) than those described as "San Diego". Nakago-ana looks to have some age. I dunno, may be later,. Lovely patina, would look nice mounted, Saw it in the sales section here a while ago, cant believe no one bought it at the price that was being asked. Anyways, like it, cute haha

Thank you

Looks like one i just bought. What age would you give it Grev?

Some good learning in this thread about hada Id leave it open Maybe if folk could just leave it to hada

Let us know what they said

Think we need a swordsmith on the board to give us the run down now and again Someone must know one Very curious about this swords construction At the minute feels like too many customers guessing what is in their curry lol If i was to speculate, would say same ko-itame process as usual but then throw in a few more folds at the end to create these "whirlpools" or what ever you want to call them. But what do i know, just guessing.

Understand what your saying Jacques. Entitled to your point of view, i guess folk can refer to it how they interpret it. Ps, think there is only so far we can go with discussion on some subjects, you would need years of working along side a smith to get your head around certain aspects. All fun discussion though, no harm having a bash, being wrong or right, who cares. Cheers

Jacques, you cant deny there is a pattern in that jigane ?, whether not mokume in your opinion, its there . If it was the norm in Ko-itame, we would see it in all blades, which we dont. see below, any burls ?

Think Jacques will stick to his guns, as there is not tiny burls everywhere mixed in with the ko-itame. That dont change the fact the smith manipulated the steel (ko-itame) to add a larger burl pattern. Hence why someone mentioned a kantei point on a few occasions. Pity we dont have a time machine to go back and ask him how he did manipulate/fold the steel to create that large pattern in the blade, and others like Daniels blade. Maybe in a book somewhere.

Its whatever you want it to be

The "go to" guy for good quality polish within the UK, was recommended a lot over the years by those that knew him. I only spoke to him on a few occasions, seemed a real gent and was very helpful Sad to hear. Condolences to his family and friends.

Good thread this Funny too.

You have it in hand, many clues to narrow down age To help us Full length with image? Pic of jigane, Itame, masame? mokume?, dark? , rough? light? etc Nakago image? showing jiri. Looks to hikagi yasurime Slightly shortened machi-okuri Narrowing it down to one name man though, very doubtful Maybe length and sugata and the fact its maybe machi okuri will lead you to nearer You need look at the full picture, including the ana Difficult by what is available Lots of info online and in books to assist

Just looking at this page with some documented swords of the 47 Ronin. 6 out of 33 with matching names to their 2 swords. (if i count correctly) http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/ronin.htm

Hello, compare the work to that of Kaga Letsugu Just an observation but the nakago dont look real old, there was a Letsugu working in 1865. Its difficult just using the images Maybe some clear images of the blade and nakago-jiri may help folk come up with something.

Might be wrong and mistaken, but memory reminds me Mariusz was maybe selling something like this a few months ago. Not as flash as the one above though,

Maybe just tell them to keep the tsunagi, if it becomes a weirder issue that is

Some may find this interesting too, same site. http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/effectofyakiire.html

Ridiculous predicament yet again Hope its sorted soon.

Some good info on this site. Good when info comes from folk that really know blades, they make and polish them, whatever. Not like some folk that just regurgitate what is written in books over and over again and try and fit everything into convenient boxes [...} Good site, cheers.