LakeBum

@ Chris I definitely agree with that. It was hard to follow names in the beginning, but after having read about 3 books, certain names and schools are starting to stick. Also the history behind why the blade has changed over the years helped a lot. Time to get my books from college out again too I guess lol. Thanks!

Ok, well I am a science/ history teacher so I enjoy the historical aspect of swords. Really I would like to be able to tell the subtle differences between schools. IE, how Bizen or Soshu has changed over time or what makes a really great blade from that school. Like a 101 on how to get better at kantei. Hopefully that at least gives you guys a direction. Thanks for your time!

I just started studying Nihonto about 2 months ago and have a few books that I have read through. Problem is, there is a ton to absorb. My question is, what areas do you wish you would have focused more on at the beginning of your studies. Kind of study this before this list. If this is somewhere on the forum, would you point me in the right direction please :D.

Oh, and the dealer said there is a 20% discount on the items for the holidays. So I guess I found some Black Friday Nihonto (at least Tsuba if that counts) :D. I guess I put it on the wrong section though, gomennasai moderators!

Hey guys, I was looking for some deals online and ran into this antique store. I sent them an email on prices for the Tsuba, they range from 300 to 500. To much for me, but just thought I would pass along my find if any of you guys are interested. The store is in Florida for you locals down that way. http://antiquegalleriesofstpetersburg.c ... llectibles

I agree with what you guys are saying too. I got into the hobby about 2 months ago but I have always been into Japanese culture. Took 5 or 6 Japanese history classes when I was in college. I'm a 30 year old teacher with all my student loans paid off but I just married a speech path with almost none of hers paid off lol. I've dropped money on books so far and I am starting to get an idea of what I might want. Just because I might know what I want, I certainly do not know what it would be worth. For me this will be a slow buy in as I go to shows and catch a few guys willing to talk shop. Basically I am going to read until Feb and go to the show of shows to look at some gendaito (prob more my price range). If I dont see what I think is a deal then will keep reading and wait for the show up in Chicago in April. The 5k nice swords are just out of the question right now unless they start serving vodka at blade shows (prob not a good idea). Hopefully I will land a principals job within the next year or 2 and then my play money will go up a bit, but until then I am happy to just be reading.

Ok good, at least I am learning to spot the obvious fakes now lol. I can't wait to go to the show in Chicago in April to learn and see great swords in person. Thanks for you time!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-samura ... 2585966c87 From the tsuba to the fittings, just doesn't look right. What do you all think?

Done Deal Brian :D

Well apparently they are sold out of the book now. I just tried to search it at paragon and found nothing .

Dang, sorry I forgot Jean and I will take your advice and read Paul's book second then! Jason

Yah I just started with 4 different books. I'm about a book and a half in. Wow is there a lot to read and learn lol. I went through the handbook by yumoto. I'm really liking the book on modern sword smiths though. I think the next book I go after is the one by Paul Martin. I have the connoisseurs book too but I think I'm gonna save that for later.

400 really is not in my books budget but what do those books have in them?

This may be a silly question, but has anyone seen any Black Friday deals for nihonto before? Not just swords but books and whatnot too! Thanks, Jason

Yah I'm not happy with myself for not seeing that. I just had an order with Grey last week lol. Thanks for pointing that out though. Jason

Some of my reading has brought me to these smiths. It has been a year since the last post on this subject, have you guys seen any new books on the subject? I am really liking the navy WW2 swords and these are supposed to be the premo of the bunch. Thanks Jason

I am with you. I really like the brass with the iron. Thanks for posting it

Thank you for the suggestions and replies! Jason

Thanks Arnold! I would just like to know if there are classes that teach Nihonto as well. Just the study of the sword not only the forging of the blade. Jason

Has anyone seen Nihonto offered as a college class? When I was in my under grad, I took all the Asian history classes that the college offered. Also, apparently there is a nihonto forge in Oregon called the Dragonfly. An American learned from a sword smith and does tutorials and what not. Anyone ever go there? Jason

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Ok, thanks! Jason

Thanks for the tip Joe! Mark, are you going to the shows in Kentucky? Stephen I would probably actually try to make it to that show but I'm a coach and it's basketball season. Whenever I learn how to teach height, I'm going to be a rich man :D. Jason B.

http://www.sosovms.com/CalendarDetail.a ... d=3/3/2014 That is the link that I found. The one that I will go to in Kentucky is either Feb or March. Jason

Ok, thanks for the replies. It just looked too clean and like nothing in my books or the websites you guys listed. Jason