Rich S

Brian and all - As the "grandfather :-)" of NMB, all I can say is that Rich Turner and Brian have turned it into THE site for learning/discussing Nihonto regardless of the posters level of knowledge. We need to teach the "newbies" (like me) or the study of Nihonto (at least in the West) will die with us. While I read most of the posts but post little; some (actually a lot) are way above my limited knowledge, so I am still learning and hope to continue to do so. Kudos and great thanks to Rich T and expecially Brian. The NMB is great and fine just the way it is. If it ain't broke; don't fix it. And yes, I consider myself still a "newbie"; after years of study I can finally say "that's a pretty sword or tsuba" or "that's most likely a Chinese fake or just a piece of animal dropping". Sorry to disagree with you Peter B, my old friend, but I think NMB is just fine. Rich S

Yes, pretty sure it is a sanmai- See my page at: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba/sanmai.htm Rich

Brian is correct about the soldiers knife. Also the kiridashi is a carpenter's knife (or used by some sort of wood craftsman) - I have two; they make great workbench knives for close tolerance work. Rich

Nice, but the minty Emura should get a place of honor :-) Rich (lover of Emura and Nagamitsu)

Ian - It would be nice if all museums followed that policy. Unfortunately most don't (at least not ones that I know about in the US). Rich

I am a life member of the National Knife Collectors Assoc. (which means nothing now). Back in the late1980's they directors decided to build and run a National Knife Museum, which they did. Raised millions, bought property and built and staffed it. It ran well for maybe 8-10 years, when they found out how very much it cost to keep it up and running, it was closed and all the collections (given/willed by collectors) were warehoused. Then they worked out a deal to use the 2nd floor of a big knife retailer's store. That worked for a couple more years, but the deal finally collapsed. All the great knives that had been donated and/or willed to the museum were sold off to pay debts, etc. Now the NKCA is a collectors organization in name only. No museum and many folks very upset/disappointed that the collections the club had be given were basically lost - not preserved. I think that is what they mean by "museum collapse". I had my collection going to them in my will; needless to say, I have since changed my will. On a similar note, many museums will have de-acquistion sales to get rid of items in their collections (regardless of source) that "don't fit" anymore. I bought two lovely Luristan bronze daggers that way. Rich

I agree about most museums not being knowledgeable enough to preserve/care for Nihonto. As an example from a side line - I'm a knife collector; use to collect vintage 19th C bowies. I bought a book about Civil War (US) bowie knives written by a curator of a museum. It was so full of errors that it was totally useless. I took a black marker and x-ed out the errors - he had pictures of knives by companies that weren't even in business until the 20th C; also some cheapie Imperials that use to be available in 5 and 10 cent stores. Obviously he was an "expert" since he was a museum curator - yeh, right Pass your collections on to other knowledgeable collectors, not to museums. Rich

Ed - Sorry no pics. My digicam died a long time ago and just haven't had the need for an other one. TantO- Yes, still can call it a tanto IMHO. I've no idea what the mark means, sorry. Guess I'm not much help to anyone today Rich

It's used for bonsai (bokuwari or hanakiri tanto) - or I guess anything else that needed cutting :-) See my page at: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/unji.htm I've had a few of these; most were poorly made, but I still have one that I believe is traditionally made showing hada and hamon which goes all around the tip of the blade and is in good quality mounts with kozuka. I suspect that these were made for a variety of uses and quality depending on the status of the buyer. Rich

Antti - Good idea, but I think some links from Wikipedia to Jim Gibert's and other great tsuba sites might be a lot easier to do. Just a thought. Rich

Really nice looking sword. Thanks for sharing. Rich

Yes, the NBTHK papering process moves at between snail pace and glacial :-) Rich

Yes, please close this thread. Everything possible has been said. Rich

While I agree about not using uchiko to "polish" swords, I have found that using it on swords not in good polish does tend to somewhat enhance the hamon. Won't use it for swords in new/excellent polish. I keep my swords dry (low humidity and constant temp in house); this makes oiling unnecessary. I've kept my swords dry (but check them occasionally) for years with no oil and see no evidence of rust or tarnish. On the other hand, back in the old (I really mean old) days when I did lightly use choji oil and put swords away that some developed what I call choji staining. That's what stopped me from using choji or oil. Just my perspective on the topic; not advising anyone to follow my example. Rich

Thank you sir for the info. Most useful and interesting. I found on another site that the blue and white paper steel just refers to the paper the knife is wrapped in (if that info is correct). Still no idea what SK steel might be. Here's the info I received from Ken H on BladeForums: "Both White Paper (shiro gami) and Blue (Ao gami) steels are madeby Hitachi Metals. They are named after the color of the paper they come wrapped in. Both are high carbon steels. About 1.0 to 1.2% carbon, with 0.1 to 0.2% silica and 0.2 to 0.3% manganese. The blue steel also contains 0.2 to 0.5% chromium and 1.0 to1.5% tungsten. Never heard of SK steel as a steel type. There's an SK Steel, an Australian Steel Company. It is true that Nagao is the only remaining member of the original Higonokami Guild of Miki City now I think in the 4th generation. And while many people/companies produce Higonokamis only Nagao with the Kanekoma label is authorized to actually use the Higonokami trademark name." Found this page about SK steel. http://www.knifeup.com/sk-5-steel-guide/ Rich

Reviving old thread. I've noticed on various websites that Higonokami are listed as being made with: White paper steel Blue paper steel Triple Layered SK Steel (no idea what SK stands for) Just curious, what is the difference. I know every cutler in Japan can make Higonokami; just wondering about the steel designations. Strange, many of the knife sites say only Nagao Kanekoma factory can make Higonokami; that the company has the trademark?? Sorry if I posted this in the wrong thread. I just searched the forums for higonokami and found this thread. Thanks Rich

We tried to organize a Virginia TK several years ago, but we were so spread out around the state that we seldom got more the 2 - 5 persons to a meeting in Richmond (central location). It was disbanded several years back Rich

I like Japanese lacquer ware (urushi). Especially the high relief work and the gold flake works. Lacquer sake' cups from the Showa era (most military) are of interest also. I think it melds nicely with the lacquer work on saya and sword boxes. Rich

Klaus - Yes, super glue should be ok since it's just on a tsunagi. I thought it might be for a shirasaya; they also sometimes have wooden habaki. Rich

Don't use super glue. The fumes are corrosive and linger for over a day. I used super glue on the handle of one of my knives and it "rusted/stained" the blade even after letting it dry for 2 days or so before reassembling it. It would be better to use a water based glue like Elmer's wood glue and use let it dry for a day or so. Rich

Guido wrote: "The real problem is to sort through all those who claim to be experienced collectors and/or experts, and find those who you can trust." So very right!. Most, not all by any means, of the (now) old timers were very patient and taught me a lot (much I have forgotten . The late George Moody was my main mentor. He loved Nihonto and was willing to share his knowledge and love of them. He was the main reason I got into Nihonto. I went to the 84(?) Chicago Token Tai Kai (a week long event of lectures, teaching, a sales room, NTHK Shinsa and lots of good food, sake' and friends. I learned a lot that week about whom one could trust. George and Mark Fletcher guided me thru the sales room and educated me on what to look for and what to steer clear of. I bought two swords that week; a shobu wakizashi in full mounts by one of the Kanemotos and a beautiful en-suite tanto by a Sukesada. Neither needed polishing. Also bought my first loose tsuba from Bob Haynes; a lovely wak size piece Ko-Nara on a Saotome plate; probably responsible for my love for both schools. Bob was wonderful in teaching me a little about tsuba. These are the kind of guys who we need today. True mentors and teachers willing to share their knowledge, time, patience with us poor ignorant boobs. I really miss the companionship of folks like them. Learning even a little about Nihonto and Kodogu takes time and lots of study and having good men willing to help you along the way is important. Wish I could still do things like that and give back a little of what I've learned over the years. Alas, mother nature being the b_tch that she is has made that impossible. I can still support good websites, NMB being the best and maybe contribute a little to the discussions. We must though realize that it does take time, dedication and a willing to learn by the student - something that seems to be getting harder and harder for them to do (too much time facebooking,tweetering, texting,sexting, etc. I guess. There don't seem to be a lot of really dedicated students now (though there are some - mostly here :-). We also need to realize that Nihonto is a very expensive enterprise for most people. We need to teach the difference between poor, bad, good,nice and excellent swords and fittings. Being careful not to put down those who can't afford Juyo and high papered blades and fittings. A nice mid-range blade can teach an enormous amount to those will to learn. Those who aren't will drop away and become "experts":-) (ones we don't need). As I age I find that the good qualities of folks generally out way the bad; the tricky part is to tell the difference. My many heartfelt thanks to my teachers and those who truly care about and are willing to be patient and teach us noobs. There is just too much to learn to do it on the 'net. Must be hands on with a teacher. IMHO, Nihonto is at a turning point; hard to tell which way it will go. Well, I rambled along enough for now and it is late here; well past this dinosaurs bed time. Bye, Rich S

Condolences to his family and friends. Rich S

Indeed sad news. As a fellow puukko colllector (and I think maker) he was always great to talk with. He will be missed. Please forward my condolences to his family. Rich S

I've stored my swords for about 40 years vertically (kissaki down) with no problems. I do not keep them oiled; constant temp and low humidity make it unnecessary. Never had a sword (or any of my knives) show any signs of rust. Depends on your specific conditions on whether storing vertically or horizontally is needed; likewise with oiling. It's 13 F and 0 wind chill here! Where's global warming when you need it! Brian, sent us some warmth. Rich S

Very sad indeed. He was a gentleman and a scholar. He will be missed by all in the Nihonto community. R.I.P. Dr. Ford. Rich