Listeryoyo

Btw... I was told by Tsaruta, the main guy at Aoi art in Japan , that he preferred a thin layer of light sewing machine or gun oil over choji oil for preservation. I asked him about history , etc, and he replied that some more modern inventions were better. He said to make sure it was clear, not a dark hue as it could shade the steel over time. He suggested choji contained "organic" content that dried faster and can gum up over time. That's what I gathered from his limited English response.

Thank you all. I do store it on its back, not to one side . I will use 100 % isopropyl , but only a time or two per year and reapply a thin coat. Other times is usually only wipe and re-apply. I use Ren-wax on some antique guns. Has anyone ever used on a nihonto for long term storage?

I have a late nanbokucho period kizori school blade. It is in longer term storage in the shirasya. I carefully remove the old oil using clean microfiber cloth and denatured alcohol about every 4-5 months, and reapply a thin layer of zoom clear oil. I really never use uchinko. I store it flat, in the Shirisaya in a seldom used closet. Soon after some home remodeling it will be on a rack displayed prominently. Each time I examine it it seems like I notice a few more rust blemishes. After looking through a magnifying glass they are tiny pin like dark spots. It looks like tiny old spots that , maybe, I hadn't noticed before.but perhaps had been there before. It kind of drives me nuts that I'm doing something wrong and I could be the moron ruining a 650 year old hozon blade. Any feedback ? Does anyone ever convince themselves they're creating a problem when there isn't one? Thanks, Big Dave Liss

I know this post is probably stale, but my 2 cents. I'm an economist by profession. It's all good. I bought a house in an area that has the best school district around. Highest property taxes in multiple counties. Every time people overpay for properties in my area I welcome it. Prices for real state remain rock solid for my area. We need people who will pay wtf prices for a blade like this. One day (before the next recession) you'll welcome this interest in your wheelhouse. Dave

I certainly appreciate your input. If I could ever take a decent pic I would add more. For a newbie it is nice seeing your website links as well. I'm sure I'll spend time on them. Would most agree, like Peter, it looks gimei? Jittery, not smooth, rust a little too orange? Thanks much Dave Liss

Wanted to always ask about the first katana I ever purchased. I paid little for it , but it has always been a favorite of mine. It was sold as a shinto gimei (Kanesada) , but I could always tell it was a very well made blade in good shape. Early I I had hoped the sig may be real. But my hopes faded once I started learning some of what to look for. Even though I never overpaid, I always wanted to know what signature was I looking at here? Any thoughts will throw good karma your way! Big Dave