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Matt D

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  1. Matt D
    Thank you for your input. Given that the marks are so straight and long, I’m pretty sure they are scratches.
  2. Matt D
    Thank you everyone for the input. The blade came with those scratches. My main concern at this point is not making it any worse. I wonder if I can brush the inside of the saya with a rifle cleaning rod with a nylon brush.
  3. Matt D
    The attached photos show scratches on a blade forged in 1980’s. My first thought was they came from usage, but the saya, koshirai, and tsuka ito are in such pristine condition, I doubt if it’s ever been used. The koiguchi also lacks the wear that I would expect from drawing and resheathing. Are scratches such as these likely from usage (iaido practice), improper cleaning, crud in the saga, or some other reason. Does anyone have any other thoughts?
  4. Matt D
    Thank you Bruce. I would like own one these blades someday, someday… To me, part of the allure is that they were such good swords from a functional perspective.
  5. Matt D
    I understand the steel and the construction of the laminate. However, one thing I’m still not clear on is how the blades were shaped. Were they hand hammered or was machinery involved? Also, the articles seem suggest that water was the quenching medium, under carefully controlled conditions. Is this correct?
  6. Matt D
    Thank you Bruce. This is really helpful and interesting.
  7. Matt D
    Bruce, I am not currently looking for one. I was just curious about them.
  8. Matt D
    Thank you John.
  9. Matt D
    1. Are all Mantetsu swords “Koa Isshin”. Or are Koa Isshin a specific type of sword made with Mantetsu steel? 2. Other than the use of a laminate made from modern steel, were there any other differences in the way these swords were made? Were machines used? Were they quenched in water?
  10. Matt D
    What is the criteria for receiving an NTHK-NPO paper? Are there any limitations on era, smith, etc?
  11. Matt D

    Changes in mei.

    Matt D replied to Matt D's topic in Nihonto

    As I understand it, Kawachi Kunihira studied under a second master in the mid-eighties. Perhaps his mei changed after that. Any thoughts?
  12. Matt D

    Changes in mei.

    Matt D replied to Matt D's topic in Nihonto

    Here’s a shot of the nakago of both swords which were made by Kunihira Kawachi. Both of these swords were on reputable sales sites. I don’t have any reason to believe anything fishy is going on. Nevertheless, the mei seem different.
  13. Matt D

    Changes in mei.

    Matt D posted a topic in Nihonto

    How common is it for a swordsmith’s mei to change over the course of his career? I ask because I came across nakago photos of two different swords, done by the same modern swordsmith, with mei that look quite different. One of the swords is an earlier work.
  14. Matt D
    I think I see it in the ninth photo from the top.
  15. Matt D
    Where is the hagiri?
  16. Matt D
    But what about koshirai of a shisakuto that was made in the last 40 years? The blade is in reasonable polish but has some saya wear. I have no plans to train with it but I would like to preserve it
  17. Matt D
    I’m interested in answers to Gerry’s question. Many of the shinkasuto don’t come with shirasaya.
  18. Matt D
    Thank you
  19. Matt D
    What is the best material for applying oil? Is there a particular material that works better than others?
  20. Matt D
    Does have any recent information on Miyairi Yukihira's disciples? I came across an article on the Richard Stein website that was written by Tony Thomas that had a decent amount of information, but it was written 25 years ago. Has anything more recent been published or posted somewhere? In particular, does anyone have any information on Korehira Watanabe or Shigehira Watanabe?
  21. Matt D
    Thanks Ray. This board is definitely a great source. I’ve been looking for a single site with information on active swordsmiths but I haven’t been able to find anything like that, even on the NBTHK site.
  22. Matt D
    Is there a website that has a current list of living, registerer swordsmiths in Japan? Also, where can I find results of recent contests?
  23. Matt D
    Thank you Brian.
  24. Matt D
    What are the best sources for sword oil and other supplies? The larger online retailers all seem to carry the same sword cleaning products. Those kits are fine for my non-nihonto training sword. But for Nihonto, where can I get the better quality stuff?
  25. Matt D
    Great advice! Thank you to everyone.
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