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I was born on a small farm in Penna. oldest of six. I am a Vietnam veteran, stationed in Japan, (21/2 yrs) during and after Vietnam war. Used the GI bill to attend college where I received a Masters degree in Social Work. Was the director of social services and admissions to the NYS Veterans Hm in Oxford NY. I am now retired. 
I have had a strong interest in swords since I was a young boy. Saw my first real Nihinto in Daytona Beach antique shop in 1971. I immediately became fascinated with Japanese swords. Saw some swords on display while stationed in Japan. Furthering my interest. But thought I could never afford one, they seemed to terribly expensive! 
once my professional career got started my wife and I became interested in going to local estate auctions. Low and behold Japanese swords would turn up in estate sales. Still knew very little about them. Bought my first book Yamato’s The Japanese sword. Soon figured out the majority were of WW2 era so bought Fuller & Gregory’s book. Because I was the only one interested enough in Japanese swords and learned to identify WW2 from ancestral and learned to read enough Kanji to identify the maker many of the local auctioneers & pickers would contact me when a J sword came up. Has been great fun and exciting at times. Have found a few good ones. I at one time had over 50 swords. Most were WW2. Sold most, many to my fellow Karate students over the years. Today I only have 6, 3 Gendito, 3 Samurai era. 
I am on a limited budget these days and swords do not appear much these days. That said, I still get a couple of calls a year to look at a Japanese sword.