16k

Well, I have two already. Now, if you want to fund me...

I would have it restored too. Looks worth it.

Man, I’ll never cease to love those blades!

Thank you Stephen. EDIT: Okay, have seen them and have to admit it is intriguing. I'm not convinced it is the sword because I’m sure you can see a lot of things that aren’t there in an unpolished sword AND the bohi goes against it, still... intriguing and certainly a very nice sword that would justify a polish imho.

Chu Nagura stage...

That’s what he did actually, Jacques. As said in the other thread, this blade is signed by a Meikan More from Hizen. Pierluigi was puzzled because there were many geometry mistakes and the ko shinogi was wrong, the Yokote not defined. He studied and researched Hizen smiths of the 18th century and came up with a sugata close to mine to rectify the geometry. He also sent me a schematic with what he was endeavoring to do, with an alternative way in case he was missing material as the sword had seen many previous polishes.

Well said Bruce! i don’t think an amateur should try and polish a blade. But being self taught or Japanese trained, the only thing that matters in the end is the result. but let’s not forget we’re in a hobby where traditions are often rules.

Thank you Stephen!

Damn, can’t see any of those videos!

That is cool. I think it has a place here.

I don’t know if this is because the blade is tired in some areas, but some picture make me think of matsukawa Hada.

I don’t think he is, Robert. His gallery doesn’t exist anymore at least.

154 views and no replies? I guess you guys are as baffled as I am!

Yes, I first heard about him when I knew nothing about swords. I was visiting Robert Buravoy’s gallery in Le Marais, Paris, and he showed me two swords he was selling. One was a Tadayoshi. The other, I don’t remember. He told me they were just back from polishing. Now, at the time, I had read about Hada but never seen a real sword. He showed me the Sword and it was just marvelous. I guess I was definitely hooked on that day. Then he told me that his polisher had just passed it would be difficult to find a new polisher as talented as him in France. I learned the name much later.

As far as I know, Pierluigi sold them some genuine antiques and THEY modified them. He ceased his business with them upon learning that.

Muromachi too. Can’t say much more.

T’oran seems like a good description to me.

Man, I wrote Patrick Sabatier!!! (Facepalm!)

Keep them coming, guys, they’re a feast for the eyes!

Hi Geoffroy, i know of Massimo. Never heard about Patrick Sabatier though. As I said in my intro, I know I took a risk, both by using a guy I’d never heard of and by posting this thread. I did it purposefully. I’m a teacher by trade. I guess it is in my DNA to give talent a chance and I like to find new people and help them show their skills. In the end, I think the result will be the best judge. If it is bad, we’ll things will be settled. If it is good, then well have a new guy. I must say that for the moment, my conversation with him and his serious take on the job, suggestions and daily updates have me pretty confident. Stay tuned as they say!

Uuuhm... of course, those threads are rather scary... To his defense, on his own website, Pierluigi never pretends to be Japanese trained, nor does he mention anything than being self taught. He makes swords but says he is a collector and doesn’t sell antiques, so maybe some less than honest people used his talents to scam others. I’ll ask him if he wants to respond to these stories and explain what happened. I know of Patrice Sabbah. My friend François has even visited him. The trouble is he doesn’t show much on his site so it’s hard to judge his skills.

Quite interesting Christian, thank you.

+3

Never heard of him. Thanks for mentioning another potential European polisher. EDIT: Found him on Facebook. I don’t know if he has polishing skills, but he certainly does a great job with armors!

I’d call it that too. Nice Hamon.