slavia631

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-Japanese-Milita ... dZViewItem I have never seen a tanto like this before. Can somebody explain the strange blade fearures and geometry of this blade? I am very curious as to what exactly this is? thanks, Andrew

If you haven't yet followed the link that I added below the photo, a few more photos can be found there. And of course I will take more when it arrives. Very good point (pardon the pun) about the kissaki risk in the saya, thank you. I will indeed jerry-rig something. I am, myself, a bladesmith and have also done quite a lot of bowyery, so I can hold my own regarding metal/woodworking. I've been thinking about making a tsuka and fittings for this blade anyways, and refinishing the saya (if that would not harm it's value??). thanks, Andrew

Hello all, Okay. Thanks to your guys' shrewd advice, I passed up that $180 Wakizashi project blade that I was considering. Instead, I spent $100 more and bought this, for $275: http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Japanese-W ... dZViewItem It is obviously in much better shape than the one I was considering, and presents visible hada and hamon. Also mumei. I hope that I will be able to learn more from this blade than I would have with the other one. Can any of you guys give your opinion of this blade? Any idea how old it may be, and whether it is a good first blade? I must admit that I am a little nervous about what you guys are going to say. I hope I didn't do anything foolish. Any information or opinions at all would be appreciated. thanks, Andrew

Will anybody here be attending National Gun Day, in Louisville KY later this month? Dates are February 23-24. There are usually a few vendors in attendance who deal in Nihonto and Gunto. I went two years ago and had the priveledge of holding and inspecting a beautiful hitatsura katana by Muneyoshi, of the Masamune school. I will try to make it there this year, as I now live about 1 hour away from Louisville, and am "in the market" for a decent project blade, as you know. Just wondering if I'll see anybody there? thanks, Andrew