FZ1

Hi Lee, There's a UK-based chap that has gunto spares. I can't remember his name, but his email address is japanesewarriors@outlook.com and his website is https://www.japanesewarriors.co.uk/ Worth giving him a try for your broken/missing bits. Cheers, Jon

Usually Parcelforce Paz. If you go onto the Parcelforce tracking page and bung the USPS tracking number in, it may well show you the status (it does this for EMS parcels from Japan). Jon

Wot Grev said! Jon

Hi Jon, Mike Hickman-Smith. He has a waiting list of a few months, but the quality of his work is outstanding. He made one for me and it was WELL worth waiting for! Cheers Jon

Hi Dave, You'll probably get some good steers here on NMB, but there's also a Facebook group dedicated to polearms. It might be worth asking there too? https://www.facebook.com/groups/354351111697453 Jon

Just the stuff that UPS requested Paz (commercial invoice, etc) because I didn't think it'd be an issue with exporting. I'm probably just being paranoid - its more likely just a paperwork cock-up between UPS and HMRC!

I wonder if there's a greater focus on swords by HMRC now? I'm trying to EXPORT a sword (all the way to France!) and its been with UK customs for over a week. Some of the delay is down to UPS being useless, also their customer service are a waste of time; they just make-it-up as they go along when you ask what's happening and where it is. Therefore, I don't know the real story yet, but when it eventually gets to France (or gets back to me, or gets impounded), I'll post an update in a separate thread, so as not to hijack Tony's. I'm just lucky that I have a very patient, understanding buyer!

Just waiting for UPS to actually deliver my package to confirm a happy customer and my next donation will be on the way Brian (over a week so far from UK to France and STILL "awaiting clearance") Cheers, Jon

Hi Sean, My 0.02 worth - I think Mark and Soren have covered it well. It's pot-luck that "someone who wants it sees it", and the longer it's available, as Mark said, the more people that will see it. You'll notice that there are some items in this forum that have been available for a couple of years, but as with any supply & demand situation, the more urgently you need the money, the faster you have to drop the price until someone who's seen it bites. Also, as Soren said there have been some issues with cross-Atlantic export/import (e.g. see the thread about the UK Customs impounding some swords from the US). Hopefully, these issues will be temporary, but its fair to say that some potential non-US buyers may be somewhat reticent. Jon

Does anyone know of a Microdear supplier in the UK? (I would use Alex's cotton shirt idea, but I'm a cheap-skate so all mine are poly-cotton! ) Jon

Does anyone have any idea when EMS might start air services to Europe again?

To be fair, Christian, that's a pretty good try! Having said that, the saya pattern on the tanto does look good.

Nice find Colin, I like it (other than the tsuba). I don't know much about tsuba, but I've seen one like it before. Fortunately, I managed to find a catalogue photo (below) Cheers, Jon

Thanks Colin, I hadn't spotted that in their Ts&Cs. Yes, a meet-part-way is looking increasingly likely!

Hi All, I need to post a sword within the UK, but the highest value insurance cover I can find is Parcelforce at £2,500. Does anyone know of any carriers that will provide higher cover? Any assistance much appreciated. Thanks, Jon EDIT: Admin - if the query is not allowed, please delete or move - Thanks

Paz - Get the electronic version in PDF format; it makes searching (inc. kanji) so much easier & quicker. Cheers, Jon

Pete - To be fair, Gabe did mention personal opinions, so I don't think he's looking for objective measurement, just your thoughts, complete with your biases. The "meaning" is in seeing which smiths different people rate highly and therefore what elements/features they value. a.k.a., just-a-bit-of-fun! Cheers, Jon

Welcome Gary & Joe Lots to learn here! Cheers, Jon

Quite nice for 40 quid tho!

Please do post it Gary. Hopefully, all the hot-air surrounding cutting-tests has blown itself out and (hopefully) won't detract from the appreciation of another blade from your superb collection. Cheers, Jon

Antique bottle opener?

King Arthur will be along shortly to sort it out.

You spend too much time baby-sitting us lot Brian and not enough time buying! Jon

Thanks gents, much appreciated.

I've seen tsuba referred to as Ubu in another thread. Does this mean that the nakago ana hasn't been altered? (e.g enlarged by filing or reduced with copper inserts) Or does it mean something else? Jon