robinalexander

Thanks Geraint appreciate the enlightenment..I really should have thought of that 😮 it all adds up. Cheers Rob

Ciro the blade looks really nice to me. The nakago however looks 'odd' even a bit new? Looks quite solid with quite pronounce 'clean' edges (like a piece of bar steel) the nakago-jiri also looks wide, cleanly cut and angular. The mekugi holes appear largish and clean. Dont wish to be negative and you should not read too much into my observations because I dont have the experience other members. Did anyone else notice these things or are they quite normal? Rob

Looks like successful bidder actually paid 550,000 Yen.....around US $5K.....blows me away. Might hold ontk the 95's until Japan relaxes it's import laws a little 😉 Rob

Must have missed something....what did it sell for? Rob

Geoff, I am also under the impression that, unless exceptional, they shouldn't sell for more than $900 - $1200 (at very best) ......but I'm talking AUD. Rob

And a couple more minor variations in castings.

Chris is correct Greg, you will struggle at that price unless you want to search, wait and then get really lucky. Be carefull buying something around that price (or for less), lots of good fakes, replicas and "fantasy" swords out there for not much money. If you happen to come across something that meets your current criteria then you could just run it past NMB members before hand (if you can) because I am sure you will get honest opinions (still only opinions though). Rob

I agree with Bruce appears to be a nice honest example from the photos. Interesting 'W O' scratched into the habaki, you have to wonder if that is period (i.e. adding interest/story?) or post war scratching made by a previous owner (?) Rob

I dont see a problem with members providing their own personal opinion on what they think a value (range or specific) could be. For most, pricing is a big part of collecting and I cant believe one members opinion could be construed as being the 'collective opinion of the Board'. This type of information is particularly helpful for new collectors and members. Having said that, the NMB should not be a general pricing sounding board for commercial gain ...like everything these days (unfortunately), the provision of this 'information or opinion' just needs to be balanced and provided in the good faith by the member on a case by case basis, if they choose to do so. Just my view. Rob

Hi Volker, For me, this is a very nice complete package and der hamon sehr schon. 👍

PS....the blade is measured from the tip to the mune-machi which is the small notch in the back of the blade (not the cutting edge) down nearer the tsuka (handle)

Hi Glen, Yep, what John said above. You pics are all very good in terms of subject matter but in order to get some honest opinions from those more knowledgeable, they will definately need to be clearer and maybe larger. Especially, the mei (kanji) on the nakago. Are you sure the blade itself is 85 cms (33.5 inches)? Nice hamon. Rob

Hello Bruce.... found it, now all I have to do is find the owner

Ouch.. just sold for US $1450 with no returns accepted....somebody will be dissapointed 😯

Hi John, I think Gethin Evans (Menpo) might have one the same as yours. At least, it is very close. He put a number of them up a couple of posts ago on this thread (fantastic collection Gethin). Reproduced shot of Gethin's attached.

Thanks John and Jean, this cements my view. I like many others look at Ebay in addition to many other sites and I would just encourage people who strongly believe something to be an obvious fake particularly where it is 'supported' by eaually rediculous and untrue statements, to report it to the business that operates the site. If we all do that then maybe...just maybe ...one day they will listen and do something about it. Rob

Thanks Tom and Paul. Dave, leaving others bits out at the moment, in regard to the blade do you think there's anything incorrect with the ... 1. (lack of) lining up of the Ha-machi and Mune-Machi, 2. the exceptionally pointed nakago-jiri 3. the rough file marks on the nakago 4. The strange shape of the Ha- machi 5 and the very 'almost vut not quite 'aged nakago Rob

Sorry to post things that may be fake (rather than good stuff) but it makes me really angry when I see sellers describing swords that, some would consider, not genuine. Noticed this sword at.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/384240327437 Now I am far from an expert (no, REALLY far), but there are a number of things I see in this sword that, in my mind, don't equal "antique" "Origin Japan" 'WW2 1939-45' etc. The seller has 100% feedback so that makes me cautious. I have been wrong many times in the past, most recently with a fake 95 (looked genuine 🤔 but clearly accept the concensus ). So do you think its a rip-off low down fraudelent listing or a genuine gunto in all respects? Rob PS ...I have absolutely no desire to purchase it.

Does that help.

Spot on Neil ! Rob

Hi Bruce and David (congratulations, nice package!) I have a similar 'mon' on the habaki of a mumei Wak... possibly Muromachi. I think I can say with some confidence that, in my case, its not their to make the habaki lighter 😁. But seriously, I have done a little reseach and have arrived at mine possibly being Hisamatsu although there are many similar mons the tricky thing is they have varying sized centre holes. Some same as external holes and some much smaller. I dont want to hijack the separate Mon thread but I did notice some similarities with yours when I saw it. Rob

Hey Kaz, like I said first up..I just dont know why you want to do that. But if you really want to play/experiment then buy something like this and go for your life! But give the real blades (whole blades in any condition regardless) a miss. Rob

Hello Kaz, Not outraged but I just dont know why you want to do that. Are you going to bury it in the backyard because you have to go away fair a couple of years ? Plenty of info on NMB site re 'normal' blade rust protection/prevention measures that will still allow you enjoy your sword over that 2 or 3 year period. Out of interest, could you post a picture or two of your "wooden handle Type 95" "Showato" Rob

Must agree with Baz Rob

Thanks Geraint, both enlightening and interesting. Rob