Andrei

I think it looks better unpolished. It adds to the character and will make a nice conversation piece.

I have no knowledge in this field, but my type 98 also has file markings. I would like to know if the ones on mine are machine made, since all the markings look parallel. Your file markings look more natural.

I just checked the nakago again, and i found these markings on the inside of the Fuchi. Does anyone know what these mean?

Also, i have seen somewhat conflicting info on whether or not to clean the nakago. They say for active rust, light sword oil is fine. So best approach would be to lightly apply just to the rust?

Steve, shirasayas look beautiful, especially with a wood of burgundy color. But in terms of the value of the piece, is most of the value in the blade? If i were to polish it, would i hang the original saya and tsuka next to the shirasaya? I hear that polishing increases value, but what if i were to remove it from the current fitting and put it in a shirasaya?

Hi Bruce, i have been looking into polishing, and also checked out the blade mentioned in one of your posts on buyee. The blade is certainly very well polished, but i don't see the typical wavy Hamon most Katanas have. Can a polish remove a hamon?

Ill consider it! Thanks.

Thanks for the info guys! Chris, you mention it is in rough shape. On one side of the blade, there is a beautiful hamon, while the other has a patina. There is also some rust developing on the tip. Do you think it can be restored such that the entire blade looks like good side? Album of Hamon: https://imgur.com/a/DBbVPMX -Andrei

Thanks for the info! That is very interesting to know. On one side of the blade, there is a beautiful hamon, while the other has a patina. There is also some rust developing on the tip. Do you think it can be restored such that the entire blade looks like good side? Album of Hamon: https://imgur.com/a/DBbVPMX -Andrei

Hi All, I come here to deeper my understanding of the history of Nihonto. I recently acquired a Katana from my grandpa, and I am fascinated by it. I posted a thread on Military swords and Nihonto discussion to seek knowledge about the wei and Kanji on the Katana. It is currently hanging on my wall, and i enjoy looking at it everyday. Have a nice day! -Andrei

Hi everyone, I was referred here by a user on r/Katanas. I received a Katana from my grandpa. I never had the chance to ask him how he acquired this piece. I am not well versed in Katana history and would like to know more about this. Does anyone know the translation for the markings on the Tang? 服郚鍛刀所造之 Markings exist in a couple places: One side of the Tang (nothing on other side) Top of Tsuka Both sides of cloth Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/mnlNMDT Edit: Users on r/Katana have said this about the markings, but the meaning on the Tang is still undecided: "The cloth tag is a name and address. These were commonly attached by the owner before the swords were confiscated. 中井利一郎 - Nakai Riichiro (last name, first name) 滋賀県滋賀郡和邇村 - Shiga-ken, Shiga-gun, Wani-mura - Wani Village, Shiga District, Shiga Prefecture The tsuka just says the name Nakai (bottom) and some numbers (top). The characters written on the saya where the lacquer has peeled are 平和 (heiwa, peace)." -Andrei

Hi everyone, I was referred here by a user on r/Katanas. I received a Katana from my grandpa. I never had the chance to ask him how he acquired this piece. I am not well versed in Katana history and would like to know more about this beautiful piece. Does anyone know the translation for the markings on the tang? 服郚鍛刀所造之 Markings exist in a couple places: One side of the Tang (nothing on other side) Top of Tsuka Both sides of cloth Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/mnlNMDT Edit: Users on r/Katana have said this about the markings, but the meaning on the Tang is still undecided: "The cloth tag is a name and address. These were commonly attached by the owner before the swords were confiscated. 中井利一郎 - Nakai Riichiro (last name, first name) 滋賀県滋賀郡和邇村 - Shiga-ken, Shiga-gun, Wani-mura - Wani Village, Shiga District, Shiga Prefecture The tsuka just says the name Nakai (bottom) and some numbers (top). The characters written on the saya where the lacquer has peeled are 平和 (heiwa, peace)." Have a nice day! -Andrei