Rich S

My wife's church group uses Zoom, but it is limited to 40 participants on the free version. Maybe different in the UK, but I helped her set it up and it works well. Rich

Brian Might want to add that currency converter to the "donate" dropdown. Just a thought. Rich

Here is a good currency converter. https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ Edit: I didn't notice Stephen had already posted it. You can enter the amount in your currency and covert to South African Rand (near bottom of choices). Rich

Read Brian's post under Izakaya/ stimulus checks. He gives the two best ways. Also there is a link at the top of the main page that says "Donations". I'd read Brian's post first. Rich

All NMB users, members and casual users: Please consider making a donation to NMB. It has never charged a membership fee, but it takes money to keep it running. A lot of small donations, whatever you can afford in these harsh times, will be appreciated. A lot of small donations = monies to keep it going. That way we can all continue to enjoy and learn about Japanese swords and related topics. Thanks. Rich

Robert - Not with Nihonto stuff, but I am starting a "Covid boredom" pocket knife collection Rich

Very nice in it's simplicity and symmetry. I like it. Rich

Paul Love the mice! A very nice tastefully done koshirae. I agree with the others, no further restoration needed. I've tried to put together a marriage set in gold horses, but have no sword/saya to mount them. I admire your patience. Rich

It's not VPN, but no problems with Firefox. Rich

I wonder why the saya koshirae fittings don't match the tsuka fittings? Pretty koshirae in any case. Rich

Oh no! My computer has been exposed. Now I'll have to run a full scan with my computer anti-viral program! Don't know if it's been updated for Covid-19? Rich

Ken Only the ears;the least appealing part Nice Tsuba. Rich

Shouldn't be buying on ebay anyway! FAKES, FAKES, more FAKES. Rich

The Baltimore arms show has been cancelled due to Governor's order no large gatherings over 250. Rich

Mei is legit IMHO; however the blade is not up to Emura's usual quality. Maybe a late period sword by a "new-ish" student? Rich

I'm wondering since this is an estate auction co. if they didn't just pull the info off whatever documentation the estate owner provided and have little/no idea what it means? Rich

Chris I agree, some similarities to Ichiryushi, but what about that gold paint. Not a true Kinmei - I guess someone just painted it it? They don't mention the actual mei translation in the auction and say he is one of one of the finest sword makers in Japan (are they implying he is still making swords?). Also to my poor eyes the third Kanji is a bit too bulbous and the saku is too widely separated in parts.. The entire auction description just seems sort of strange, like someone did a little online research but doesn't know much about Japanese swords. As said above, I hope I'm wrong, but very suspicious. Also they show the start of my Nagamitsu page back when it was on Geocities (long time ago). Lets get others opinions. Rich

I hope I'm wrong, but the mei doesn't look right to me. Rich

Great looking work. Rich

Brandon wrote: "Not sure if anyone collects pocket knives, but the fakes have gotten pretty much identical to the real ones. I've heard that a lot of the fakes are mostly made from the left over parts to assemble & sell at a fraction of the price. So essentially buying the same knife from the same plant, just 1 is approved and the other isn't. So I've been told, pocket knives were never my thing." I've been a knife collector for 65+ years. The above is true, also fakes from China are so good they easily pass as originals. Example: VG10 steel was developed/patented by Takefu Specialty Metals of Japan. It takes and holds the sharpest edge I've ever seen. It is used for the top line Japanese chef and sushi knives. Mcusta of Japan has made VG10 core damascus laminated bladed folders for years - just outstanding. I recently saw a VG10/Damascus laminated folder on Amazon US that is made in China. I took a chance for $23! Received it and it is as near perfect as any folder I have. Good VG10/Damascus blade, mounted beautifully, works smooth, even the interior liners are polished. I guess the Chinese aren't to careful about patent law Anyway the knife is top flight and will be my pocket EDC with my SAK on my belt. Sorry for the digression from the topic. How can anyone go without a pocket knife?? I feel naked without one. Rich

Try these sites: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/index.html http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_tsuba.html http://meiboku.info/guide.html Lots of stuff on translating Kanji for swords and tsuba Rich

Curran You may well be correct, but all blades that I've seen in this type mounts have been low grade poor blades(some old/some newer) Rich

IF (?) memory serves (doubtful); back in ancient times I asked about a wak I had in same type mounts on Chris Bowen's email sword list. I think someone replied it was a local/regional administrators sword badge of office, not a tourist sword. All this may be the fault of an old man's lose of brain cells. Rich

Is it only a certain ryu that teaches using the hand on the back of the blade? Never seen that before. Rich

I guess they/you do whatever works to mount the tsuba. Rich