Ryan

It was an inch or so up from the habaki if I'm not mistaken, I added a couple photos of that exact spot and checked it carefully. Fairly certain it was a dog or cat hair.

Awesome, looks like I've got my work cut out for me!

Heres a couple more.

Would love a copy.

Hello, I am very new to collecting Nihonto and would appreciate any book recommendations you guys might have to wet my feet a little and gain some basic knowledge. Any suggestions?

Looking forward to seeing it restored to its former glory. How did you acquire it?

not seeing anything like that. Must have been a dog hair lol.

This spot? It doesn't seem to be a depression of any kind only a mark on the surface.

Congrats on such a beautiful collection.

I sent him some close ups, thanks!

I'm in NYC periodically for my work, who would you suggest meeting with? Once again thank you all for your input.

Yeah I'm in Baltimore

I worked at the tip with a solvent and that seemed to help a little. I think most of that junk is adhesive from the tape which held the saya together for 50 years give or take. I was told to try using zippo lighter fluid on it so I'll give that a go. The blade was immediately oiled (excluding the nakago) when I found it.

Here are a couple extra photos that show the blade's issues a little better. I really appreciate all the information guys, the waitlist for a finish polish with Dave is 18 months so I have plenty of time to check other avenues.

I acquired a high end shinshinto blade most likely forged by Kurihara Nobuhide along with a split shirasaya and only one half of the wooden tsuka. I would like to do this blade justice and have already reserved my spot in line to have a polishing done by Dave Hofhine and would like to take care of the fittings in the mean time. Can anyone recommend capable craftsmen to replace the shirasaya/tsuka? Any input is appreciated. Please forgive my ignorance if I have misused any terms as I am very new to the world of Japanese swords.

I think you're right, thanks for verifying that edit: I have included a few examples of authentic signed nagako by Nobuhide

I was lucky enough to acquire a blade forged by Kurihara Nobuhide dating to 1864. I happened on it purely by luck and all opinions so far have been that it is authentic but more eyes can't hurt. The blade has been hidden in a closet for more than half a century but a good finish polish should get it well again. I was told the horimono is similar to the deity Marishiten's name but wasn't an exact match, any ideas? Thanks! edit: I have more photos if anyone is interested