Alex A

I'm not so bothered about flaws etc these days, especially in Koto, but price has to reflect this.

I suppose you have to take into account some folk will enjoy the battle scars and see them as a bonus, even as bad as they appear to be. Bit too much for me though.

Good to see, some serious looking dudes in there!

Sad news indeed, RIP John & God bless.

Alton, we are all fools when we start off in this hobby.

See what you mean

Really is getting to me all this, the last time I tried to post a sword abroad it was a polava in the post office! I was greeted by two ladies behind the window, the first of which started with "nah, ya cant post that, its ta big" I checked online, it was not "ta big". She started to measure with a tape measure, she clearly was not used to a tape measure, which was annoying. The other asked "whats the value?", I said just insure it for the maximum, she said "oh, what is it?", I said an antique sword (being honest). She said "don't think we can send that", I then gave her a copy of their prohibited goods list and explained it was ok. You really do need to be geared up and ready for these episodes lol Felt like I was in there an eternity, the folk behind looked tired of waiting. So glad this is not a regular thing.

Hard to say from just that one photo if it is O-surage or not. Hard to say if the hamon is ending at Hamachi? Nakago to me looks like its been coated with rust cure, but again that could just be the photo.

Some amazing pieces of art so far, so much to learn from. Sebastien, I know nothing, but I know quality when I see it, really like that Kozuka with the Ishime texture. For any newbs browsing, check out the Nanako texture in this thread, take Brians Kozuka and the tsuba that Hamish presented for example, then compare to a cheap Nanako fuchi kashira or tsuba your likely to find on Ebay and see the difference in quality, puts things in perspective. Good to see quality folks, thanks for sharing, appreciated.

Hi Grev, I had a set of Ox menuki like that with NBTHK, Ko Kinko was the verdict.

A spin off from another thread. Anyone got some good quality to high end fittings they wish to share? Good close up photos and a short write up. Be good to see, and educational.

Thanks for sharing Paul, I can see why this other caper can become addictive too. Some good close up shots, first time ive seen hair on fittings Be good if someone could start a thread were folk can exhibit their high class fittings with good close up shots, so folk like me not in the know, can see what its all about. Edit, in fact il start a thread, hopefully we will get some contributors.

Hello Steve, pity about the saya, hows your metal work skills?

Unji, rare smith is that, I can only find 4 in the index of Japanese swords, 1st to 4th generation, Bizen, pre 1428.

I stopped using Choji when I read the advice quoted below from Aoi, figured Tsuruta San knows more about this than me. Now using Express gun oil again in moderation, was using sewing machine oil but don't like it, the gun oil forms a finer film and doesn't form droplets, but I suppose best not to start this one up again . ​ From Aoi,s page........ Special notes "1. Generally, Chyoji oil has been used to treat Japanese swords. This is a sticky vegetable oil traditionally used in cleaning swords. It promotes ozidization of the blade that will result in rust in the future. In our opinion, and based on our experience. We 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."

And another.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12978-choji-oil-a-bad-idea/?hl=mineral&do=findComment&comment=134779

Hi Greg, the subject of oil as been covered extensively, if you do a search you will find many opinions.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14894-choice-between-these-two-choji-oil/?hl=choji http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12978-choji-oil-a-bad-idea/?hl=mineral&do=findComment&comment=134779

Hi Greg, i didnt have a Shirasya either, just oiled it and left it standing on its mune in a suitcase in the wardrobe out of the way. Pity its the kissaki end, good luck with sorting it. Just to add, when i had this problem i switched to a more gloopy gun oil to help try and stop any more damage. Im not saying load it with oil, just be a bit more particular in that area of the blade until its sorted out. I suppose if its really bothering you then you could store the blade as mentioned in my first paragraph, again until its sorted. A real pain in the ass situation, keep a close eye on the swords for faint marks folks, this problem is a sneaky one.

I had the same trouble a while ago, very annoying, a good sword in good polish and I was a bit reluctant to get involved as it was a fair way down, maybe 6 or 7". I spoke to a saya maker that I know and he said that he might be able to sort it without splitting the saya. I marked where it was marking with some masking tape and posted off the saya only (I don't like posting blades), he did the necessary work without having to split the saya, he had the tools for the job (better ones than me anyway). Store the sword safely out of the way if you do this. All good now, no problems, hope that helps.

Hope you recover your swords swiftly!. When all this is sorted, do please let us know his name, hopefully it will prevent it happening to someone else in the future.

Karl, we are aware of this, we are talking about the original OPs post and whether or not the sword is LIKELY to receive Hozen or not ,the general conclusion is unlikely, although it is upto the OP whether or not he wishes to pursue it.

Lets face it, its not like were short of authentic Tadahiro examples to go off and purchase. Its a good job the NBTHK/NTHK do not include SPECULATING in their appraisals, or do they? If I were to buy a Tadahiro sword, would I want one with any discrepancies WHATSOVER?............ I would want TYPICAL work, .NO i wouldn't want an unpapered sword that makes me want to SPECULATE. Ie, he was drunk when he signed, he was ill when he signed, he hit is thumb with an hammer the day before, it was part of a CODE, he was trying out a new style that particular day etc etc. I don't mind Karls input (although i do not agree with him and think he may well be here to just wind folk up ), it brings out some very educational responses from various folk and will answer questions for the new folk. Reading through these type of threads as also made me question stuff, so in a way helped me learn and stay interested. I do think dealers should be careful when they are selling swords, Take Aoi for example, they clearly list gimei as UNRELIABLE SIGNATURE All good fun, and educational thread.

Hi Karl, out soon.so a quicky question. Using your *CODE*... Let me know which HIZEN smith uses a tiny tiny stroke in ZEN (hardly any stroke), as in the sword in this thread, and show me other examples of his work... Best.

Best wishes to all for the new year!

Ok, so were all in agreement...Karl... I mean John (sorry )...wise not to spend any money on shinsa... ... ... ...code Well, no less bizarre than a ninja on the roof!