Chris Osborne

Hello everyone. Finally picked up something for myself worth posting about here. Found this beauty at the Tampa show last weekend and thought I might field some opinions. It may be that the pictures aren't good enough to make any clear judgments but it will be fun to share anyway. This piece was polished by Jimmy Hayashi and from what I remember, Jimmy said it was a Yamato blade and thought it to be a Mihara school Nambokucho era blade. Tegai was also thrown around at the show from a few people. One polisher said maybe even Enju. At any rate, I was told by many that it would likely go Tokubetsu Hozon or possibly higher........depending. Well, no way for me to know about such things but the work looks good enough to my eye, the jigane is absolutely gorgeous. No plans right now to send it to shinsa, I bought it because the work looked excellent to me and I just really liked the blade, but maybe down the road sometime it will make the trip. Another question I would like to ask is what others think about the opening that is visible about three inches down from the kissaki in the shinogi ji. It appears to have been a very small pocket that was uncovered in the polish and was burnished shut fairly good and is very small. I was told and it has been my understanding that these types of flaws when in the shinogi ji area would not likely affect the judgment of a sword, especially one this old. I didn't think much off it when I looked at the sword at the show and I don't think anyone else did either, but now that it's actually in my possession I'm obsessing over it a bit, although that's really nothing new for me. Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks all. Chris http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-1.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-2.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-3.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-4.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-5.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-6.jpg http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff314/bluestarwizard/Yamato-7.jpg

Hi Joe, I do work on many blades of this type. If you like, take a look around my site and either send me an e-mail or give me a call. My contact information is on my site.

Hi Jeremy, Congratulations on your new sword. I just about jumped on that one myself a short time back but funds would not allow it unfortunately. Moses is a super guy and very knowledgeable, he would be most happy to answer any questions you might have about the blade or perhaps point you in a certain direction to find more information. Chris

Thanks for that tip on the Microdear lens cloth Ted, I was unaware of that. Chris

I've been told by more than one fully trained polisher that ethyl alcohol is the best to use. I have no idea why that is but I have always trusted their judgement on it. I've been using it for many years no with no ill effects.

Well, I can't say for sure as my own experience is far to limited. That said, my first thoughts would be that shin-shinto blades can exhibit a bit more flamboyance that may have a greater appeal to some western collectors. Also they are newer, which means in many cases being healthier, as more of the blade is still intact having received less polishes in their lifetime. Shin-Shinto blades I believe took the back-seat for a while, now may just be their time in the spotlight, who knows.

Hi Ken, Sorry to hear about your injury I hope you're feeling well. As for the meteoritic iron, I haven't even spoken with Rick about it, although I had no idea about any issues with the heat treat. No biggie really, just thought it might be neat.

Hi Ted, glad to see you. I just joined the board so I'm still discovering who all is here.

Jon, glad to see you made it here my friend. :D

Hi Brian and thanks for the welcome. As for my work, I started polishing about ten years ago as a hobby and started doing it full time a little over two years ago. I do polishing work on modern blades by many custom smiths here in the US as well as Gendaito. I would be more than glad to do a window for anyone that needed it. Chris

Yes, as Mr. Hennick said he is indeed back in the States, Denver to be exact. If you would like to get in touch with him just shoot me a PM and I can give you his contact information.

Randy does exceptional work and is also a super guy, you would not be disappointed in using him for your project. I have sent several customers to Randy for mounting work and they have all been very pleased. His prices are also very reasonable. Chris

If you wouldn't mind revealing the smith, is it Kiyota Jirokunietsu who is making your blade? He is a super nice person so I hear and makes beautiful swords. Congratulations on your future sword.

I have been considering asking Rick to add some meteoric iron in with the tamahagane on a katana he's making for me just for the coolness factor of it. He brought a broadsword down with him to take to a panel we did at a convention here in Atlanta. It was made from 1095 and meteoric iron like the one above. It was a very beautiful blade, one of the few of that type that I would want for myself actually. Rick told me that it was used quite often in many cultures in the past for sword making.