Klop

PM on FK

Ed, if you don't want an imprint of the vice's jaws in the blade, clamp it in a folded piece of leather (or something similar). Another trick besides the hot water in a jar is to clamp the blade in the vice and gently heat the handle with a hair drier / heat gun. Not red hot, solder can melt again :-) Depends on how stuck it is, and for what reason; simple friction, expanded corrosion of the iron tang or some sort of glue or pitch. Good luck! Eric K.

To all of you out there, happy holidays!! Best regards, Eric K.

And there I was, expecting to see a $ 4000,- project piece based on the subject of this thread... All them abbr's sure are misleading nowadays. Kind regards, Eric K.

Dear Darcy, thanks for the link, signature differs on various points. The shū is so different that if mine was intended to be a gimei I think it's poorly done. Best regards, Eric K.

Dear Steve, thank you again! Best regards, Eric K.

Dear Steve, Thank you, now I see it, the spacing between the characters is smaller at the end, where I thought I saw two it is actually just one! Best regards, Eric K.

Dear fellow members, For this wakizashi I think it says : oite kiishu shigekuni saku(or tsukure) kore Can anyone confirm/correct? Thanks again and best regards, Eric K.

Dear fellow members, Earlier this week I picked up a kozuka (buffaloes) + kogatana, the mei in the blade I'm not sure about how to read; my guess would be: Go shu ju - and then the troubles begin... ichi or kazu? yama and the last character, I'd expect "saku" but it looks different than in the book... Can anyone confirm/correct my attempts? Thanks and best regards, Eric K.

Hi Uwe, don't worry, i am well aware that this is not nihonto and certainly didn't mean to suggest or ask that, just wanted to share for enjoyment. No doubt it is of sumatran origin, the forging is typical indonesian. Probably spoils of the Aceh war that came to holland. Best regards, Eric K.

Hi all, I recently came across this Sumatran sword of which the shape rang a bell :-) Thought you might enjoy this resemblance as well. Not sure if this blade shape was inspired on Japanese swords or developed independently by the sumatrans (this is late 19th century so well before gunto appeared in Indonesia), I guess the latter. Kind regards, Eric K.

Hi all, thanks for the congrats! Very happy with my prize, kudos to Brain for the organisation and Jason for the prize I won ( I pm'ed you)! Best regards, Eric Klop

The page looks great, and the purchase of the article via Paypal works like a charm! Happy Holidays, Eric K.

Dear Brian, I understood that sales topics are not meant for discussion, but since you asked the question I'll answer it; Lately I see a lot of comments in the line of "good deal, someone should grab this...". Various members make these comments on various items offered for sale. Just as now I sometimes feel personally addressed in these cases. Am I that someone? Should I really grab it? On the other hand, why is someone who doesn't know my position telling me what to do? And if it's really such a good deal why don't they do it themselves?! Then in my mind the translation of these statements is that the one making them actually means; -I like it a lot but can't afford it myself -I like it but just not enough to spend the $$$ requested, or -I like it but already got something similar so this does not add enough to my collection. I guess that is what 's happening here; al lot of people will like these arrowheads very much but can't or won't spend the money to acquire them. It's been said before; swords etc are luxury items and there still is a crisis going on. $ 500 for a lovely piece of old metal or a months rent, tough choice... Speaking for myself regarding this lot; I'm more into fullsize yari than mini-yari but if I had unlimited resources I'd buy them all in the blink of an eye! And some tusba and swords while I'm at it.... But reality for now is that I'm cursed with great taste and limited budget. So that's my side of the story, probably resembles yours and a lot of members very much. Best regards, Eric K.

"a sword to die for". that's probably what those 2 men mentioned in the nakago thought as well Best regards, Eric K.

glad I could be of service To be honest I was thinking of a late edo /meiji decoration set because of small size and the rough filemarks, I'd expect "serious" arrows to be smoother. Best regards, Eric K.

Hi All, I saw these arrows, including one with a heart shape (boars eye) cut out. Professional seller says Indian, but I must say these tips look Japanese to me. Not that I am interested to buy, just curious. Any opinions? http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=6186 Best regards, Eric K.

Love the axe! I'v got it's brother, lots of markings on it. I was told the shape is a compromise between a felling and a splitting axe, not too thin and not too wedgy. Kind regards, Eric K.

Hi Malcom, yes, I saw. This piece however to me looks like it has age, the handle is honoki and top section of the handle shows signs it once had a better fitting saya. Blade looks laminated and this shape I've only seen as a drawing in Knutsen's yari book (not the old one) so it drew mu attention. Unfortunately no hamon visible, but it doesn't look like recent chinese fake to me. I'd say it is Japanese and handmade, but beyond that no clue about age or purpose (boysday?). So despite the feedback% and low end other items I decided to ask for more pic's, hoped the tang would tell more. I must hand it to seller; he claims this to be original and with his replica tsuka and other he does state they are repro. Kind regards, Eric K

Hi all, What to think of this? I asked for pictures of the nakago but seller doesn't seem to be willing to get it out or show it. If I were to spend this kind of money I would like to see all the important bits... http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-kind-of-Spear ... 4ac4a27091 Kind regards, Eric K.

Gents, thanks for your input. I like the temple-theory best because it seems that the finish of blade and nakago was done with care. In a rough yari (as in, produced hastily and cheaply) I would expect the smith to make rough kerakubi and be done with it. In this case a separate habaki had to be made = extra effort and material. Boar spears are usually short, wide and with some form of stop to prevent too deep penetration - at least the european ones I've seen in pictures, don't know about Japanese hunting. I'm sure this piece could also kill a large animal. Best regards, Eric K.

Hi all, Anybody who knows what this is? Japanese and old, okay, Looks like a ken, but then with yari-size nakago, however no mekugi-ana? I'm lost http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-JAPANES ... 3cce81d893 Best regards, Eric K.

Hi Pete, Thanks for your detailed information, it sure helps! Now I know I have a nice-looking plate which is gimei. Fortunately it wasn't expensive so no loss there. Kind regards, Eric K.

Hi all, I recently acquired this shibuichi tsuba, size 6,75 x 6 cm thickness 4,5 mm. A friend provided me with input that the Kao looks like Yasuchika Tsuchiya, see printscreen from his book. To my eye the work looks delicate, individual chisel marks in the leaves etc can be seen. But I have no idea if this is truly the work of the artist mentioned. In short, I don't know what I bought Usually not a smart move but I couldn't resist the offer. Any opinions on age and Kao/ artist are most welcome! Thanks, and merry christmas, Eric K.

Ian, Great tip, thanks! White insides on brown eggs, that's just one of those things one sees hundreds of times and never give any thought. Eric K.