Alex A

You would assume a student working with a teacher for a long time would pick up all the skills necessary to replicate the teachers work.. Times change, quality of materials, demand, costs etc. Think the "respect your elders", goes a lot further in countries like Japan.

Its a long time, is it a sword ? Ive not seen much difference between now and pre-covid with stuff from the US. Check the tracking and make some enquiries. If it is a sword, may have got held for one reason or another.

Nice, reminds me of Tadakuni. Its all a myth, made up by those that can afford Shodai

Obviously you would only deal with someone who is well known. Some guys have 30+ years experience.

Some guys can do good work, but then you see bad work too, from the same guy. Commercial crappy polish that ruins blades (often required by dealers to keep costs down) Make it clear you dont want the latter.

Hi JP, you been in this hobby a good while now and your wise enough to work out who is capable of doing what. As you say, we cant all send off swords to Japan for one reason or another, or even want to. Its always a risk shipping stuff overseas anyway, plenty here have had hassles Get a set time for the work, dont pay up front. Better in future just to get on with it, bringing it up here will always ruffle feathers.

Look through the dealers sites above, Aoi art, e-sword etc and get familiar with swords from each era and their differences. Look long enough and you will get to know what you like, wont take long, i expect. And as always, buy the starter books before you buy.

You would be lucky to come across good quality fittings put together for a sword pre 1900, most you see have been messed with or cobbled together later. Tsuba swapped out, re-wrap, mismatched seppa etc. Also in UK, expect to see out of polish and bad polish. Not to say all polishers here do bad work. Dont expect to see many papered swords in the UK, especially from a dealer high up the google charts. Study blades and get to know what you like before you buy and work out a budget, then take it from there. Otherwise, buyers remorse maybe. Some good swords can be bought quite reasonably but expect to compromise on a lower budget.

When you think you have seen enough, dont need any.

The Fuchi seems interesting due to its shape but this may just be the angle. Be good to see clear images of it by itself. Reminds me of a pre-edo type that are hard to get a hold of..........possibly

Thanks all for the replies, but Enough of my time and other folks time has been wasted over this helmet.🙄 Not heard from the guy so dont know WTH is going on, but can only guess. Sure we have all got better things to do, i know i have.

Thanks Uwe, here is an image without the maedate, i dont yet have one without the liner.

Thank you, appreciated

Hi Uwe, thanks for the reply. Im just looking to verify that it is authentic and not a later copy. Cheers

Hello, Ive had permission to list this Kabuto in the Katchu section for discussion as i have been offered it as part payment on the sale of one of my swords. To be honest, i dont know much about them. Its described as late Edo with more recent maedate and chord As pointed out, an unusual shape. Thanks for any help.

Whoa, easy tiger, im not saying you re disrespecting metal You mentioned copper on copper, and i was wondering about steel on copper. Maybe a Samurai that liked a drink, or had the shakes lol

Well, you said copper and copper, but the blade is made of steel.

Just wondering about the Kozuka blade Adam ?

Sometimes ask myself “why does it matter”?

Filing ?, or just wear and tear from taking the kogai in and out. Later additions, lucky to find a pair which are an identical match, or if made, you would think after going to all that bother to match, they would be made to fit without having to file existing fittings.

Sold

Cheers Brian, in hand and compared to most of the swords i have owned, you just know it was made by a very talented smith. Its on hold for a short while longer Thank you

few more

The potential buyer asked for more pictures but im not sure he has recieved them. I will add a few more here.

On hold pending payment