hybridfiat

Ditto, Id love a catalogue

This is hagire, a crack running horizontal/or nearly to the hamon. A fatal crack is where it runs right through the hamon. Read these pages it will help. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/restoration.html#3) http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/flaws.html

B appears to have been chisled in a hesitant manner as though the smith was thinking about the direction. A has more confidence about it, so since I have no reference to go by my guess is A is the true signature.

The term is irrelevant really, James just wants a pic or 2 of an over polished sword so he can recognise core steel. The description I could find is a dull patch on the blade but that doesnt help much. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Try http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/information.html

The aori perhaps? Certainly worth considering. Ive not seen much horse armor so I cant really judge. The crop is convincing Thanks for the help

Can anyone tell me what this represents. Its in shakudo on a tsuba of mine. I thought it was armour untill I scanned it and blew the pic up. Now Im stumped.

Im afraid this will stay with the sword. Apart from some gentle cleaning and a rewrap of the tsuka Id like it to stay as I got it. I am curious to know what the scene is though.

Wow! I am suprised. Any clue as to when it was made? I thought the handle may depict a fisherman and his lines with seagulls in the background but I could/probably am wrong.

Just a quick question, is this a modern piece? and could someone tell me what the image on the handle is supposed to represent. It came with a sword but does not match the rest of the fittings and it is the first kozuka Ive seen to handle. Thank you

Ill be in that. :D

You wont find poplar in a timber store you have to locate it yourself. Ive got some but cant garantee its sap level. Honoki or magnolia timber can be sourced but is expensive. Do some research or speak to Fred Lohman in the US about timbers suitible for saya. Frankly you would be best to get it polished and a shirasaya made at the same time. At least then it is done professionally. Try David Hofhine in the US

If you must "have a go" use very very well seasoned yellow poplar. It is as common as muck here in Oz. Its them tall straight trees seen anywhere italians or greeks have settled. ie Roleystaone where I live. It has very little residual sap or resin to damage the sword when stored. Jigoku studios does shirasayas. http://www.jigokustudios.com/Services.html

Damm! I droolled on the keyboard and shorted out the computer :D

Does the polisher have a name? Im in the same boat as many small collectors that I have a couple of swords that are pleasing but in very old or poor polish but have to weigh all the factors. I know that one has a very interesting hamon below the surface scratches some donkey left after trying to sharpen it. 1. Cost. Is the blade worth the $2000+ to have it polished 3. Who to ask 4. Would the blade benefit from a polish or is it as good as it gets. 5. Should I have it polished as some think it is irresponsible because every polish reduces it's life.

Hi welcome to the board, take the time to read all the info at this link it will explain a lot and save some angst. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/information.html

Ford Hallam and Patrick Hastings both make custom tsuba of a very high level for sale. http://www.taganearts.com/ http://www.fordhallam.com

Thank you all

Excellent. Thank you for the lesson in Japanese folklore. I agree it does look like a bucket of water. Hell of a big rat though! Never mind what we smoke down here, what were the Japanese on?

I found this on http://js-samurai-art.com/SHOP/10128.html and wondered if Goldilocks and the 3 bears had made it to Japan :lol: This looks like Papa bear spitting the dummy over whose been sitting in his chair

I have not seen the work done by Cam and James but they advertise polishing and koshira services at this site. Again I cannot vouch for their work as I have not used them nor seen the results of their labours. http://www.jigokustudios.com/

Id steer well clear of this guy's products if I were you. Keep your eyes peeled for tsuba on this site as the knowledgable members here will peer review any posting and you know then it is genuine.

An ancient suppository?

It was directed to anyone really, just design hints that may help.

I didnt want to hijack the other thread but had a question Im building one myself but due to my paranoid nature its becoming a bit of a task. It is 600mm high 1160mm long only 200mm deep and made of 8mm laminated glass. It will only have access from the top and the hinged lid will be secured by 2 steel rods that run from top to bottom in the front corners and are locked. Bolted to the wall and out of any direct light. Ill have to think hard about what kind of lighting to put inside. Any suggestions.