Lawrencevanrijn

Hi, First of all, i apologise if this is a many times conquered topic. I am trying to learn more about the art, the rules and the hiastory of the Tsuba. Is there a link to familycrests, should they be made form specific materials and so on. I haven't been able to find a book on it either (not sure if one exists). Cheers, Lawrence

Yes. :-) The price is wrong. the blade looks wrong. The entire Tanto feels wrong on many levels. Then the Genuine Antique text to block it all off. I was offered a magnificent Tanto once. Newly made. It was offered to me at a special discount price of $3900. I would have bought that one if i could have afforded it at that moment.

Hi Jeff, I can check Kinokinuya here in Sydney (a village to the south of you). Can you get me the exact details to the books, and i will take a look thursday after work. Cheers, Lawrence

Hi, First i am curious why my topic got locked. Did i say something wrong? I 'studied' Kenjitsu, and i want to start to study Iaido. I did also attent classes on how to use knives (army past). Hence the interest in those three blades. I did also Fence for a long time. The combination had left me with a life long interest in the art of swords and swordmaking. Not just Japanese, but also the Spanish, Venezian and English blades. I have always wanted to get a real set, especially as i want to start with Iaido (which will require a Katana, as my Shinai and bokken will no longer suffice). I have a decent income now, and i would prefer not buying some cheap fake feeding the 'real Japanese katana fakes' frenzy. I just believe in having quality equipment at some point. This is also why i was looking at the modern smiths, as i think that i don't thjink it is right to use a historical blade to that effect. Cheers, Lawrence

Well, I wouldn't consider walking with three blades, it is more the idea to have the two swords, and to have additional a tanto that is identical in looks to the other two, even though i probalby would only use the tanto separate from when i use the Katana and Wakazashi. And that doesn't happen that ofte anyways. Just the idea to have the three the same way. As for the actual swords, i was more yielding towards the idea of having new swords forged (and also a tanto) from a modern Japanese swordmaster, when i have enough Cash accumulated. Hence the thought arose. And bumping into this place seemd like the perfect place to post the question. Cheers, Lawrence

First of all Kudo's to Richard Turner. That magnificent article on fake katana's was such an eye-opener. Now, i know that fakes are abundant, and so far my (with limited knowledge) method was: 1. only look on .jp sites. 2. Treat anything under $3000 as a joke. I know, it isn't a perfect system, but it was, until i became a member here, all i had. Now the question i have, is that i am intersted in saving up for a decent set. Tanto, Wahizashi and Katana. Is this a weird idea? I have never seen a set. (or even for sale as single items, but matching). Cheers, Lawrence