Gunman

ty for mentioning Jean

but if i am not wrong i think this nakago i.e is polished right? http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/image/09040-3.jpg if it is, why most blades in aoi are like this i mean polished ("losing their value")

You have a start but spend some more time with the book..... of course you want a blade with with hamon and activities, but which ones? which type of hada do you like? Do you like a fancy hamon or a more subtle one? Go online to Rich Stein's site or depending on the book you have, pick out the characteristics you like most. What shape of the blade do you like, there are changes over the years. Spend more time picking out those things that you like, you will end up getting a sword you like more than rushing to just get one. There are several sites to help see those activities you want, try http://www.nihontoantiques.com/sword%20details.htm click on jigane and jihada and hataraki. Even on Rich Stein's site he has characteristics of blades. try to find examples, even on Aoi's site. Look at those characteristics and see what appeals to you! Keep making that list, of course swords that have it all will be more expensive. While koshirae are important and add to the cost, would you prefer a sword in shirasaya or one that is mounted already? my opinion is I want to concentrate on the blade, I can always try and find koshorie for a quality sword. But that is my opinion. You may have a different opinion. All swords have a history and if they are papered it will give you a starting point to research. I still make the recommendation to look more and get more specific, you made some decisions, keep at it. Think of it just like you would when buying a car, style- interior , color, type of radio, etc etc are all things you would consider into the decision. Do the same thing with the sword. I know you want to own a sword, trust me, I understand but spend some more time understanding what you want. Maybe you may want to buy another book or 2 to help in that decision. I just think you will be better served going slower and making the most informed decision. For example, When I was last looking for a sword, I like a nice mokume hada with nioi hamon. I like a more subtle ko gunome hada but eventhough subtle, there can still be lots of hataraki like ashi, inazumi (sp?). Certain schools have these characteristics namely Bizen as one. So that helped me narrow where to look. I like the shape of an older blade, a blade with fumbari (narrows down from the habaki to the kissaki). I like a bit of sori curvature. If you aren't sure what the book is saying find examples on the internet and see if one thing appeals to you more than others. This is just my suggestion but I think the more advanced collectors would agree, take your time and figure out what you want, just like you would when buying a car. You may not be able to buy a Ferrari but there are aspects of that car that you do like that are in cheaper models. Same idea in choosing a blade. Funny thing is that when I have bought a sword, it spoke to me, some I didn't care for and others just appealed to me. I got a sword or 2 to begin with (spent very little money) but then took more of my time to understand what I like and as I said before, everyone likes different things. There are plenty of blades out there, so don't worry that one won't be around. Get those basics down, you won't regret it. Best of luck. will try to study more mate thank you(just for the record i wait 2 more books xd) thank you a lot had no idea about this(and many more i guess) so if a sword is papered (about age etc confirm) it is still bad to be polished like new? they prefer rusted like tangsw i guess? any links/pics for not wanted red dust and dark patina to see differences?

lets hope this part is as easy as Italy m8... and they dont need a more "serious"paper for dimensions etc etc... will print many things from pc when i decide heh... just before 1-2 days i started reading a book and has info about types of hamon,activities etc.. but i think my priority are those things. going for katana having NBTHK paper (hozon for my money) having original mei (forgot how its called and read it today heh) no rust in nakago etc the one from tokensugita had koshirae also(no idea if its decent but its a good thing) i focus on the blade tho and as far as this budget allows having a history or a smith with history ofc traditionaly made from tamahagane (=nihonto? )

You get them. I can't think of any reason why a seller would keep them. regards Kevin nice to hear that. in here http://www.tokensugita.com/ there is a katana code KA057 give me opinions plz.(if its mei,about smith if its worth buying i would say.) or get something with 4.5-5000 euro from aoi-art (6xxx euro with customs etc)(they got in touch with me and prolly i can trade with them too if police goes my way lol) like these: http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08262.html http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08383.html http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08033.html also about the kanteisho from aoi its something like "papers for the sword's history" from aoi, and they still give them or no? p.s:now plz dont go and buy all the swords i want lol :D

thanks m8.. ur link tab changed my mind i guess.. i am thinking of buying from esho pin EU what about this site? http://www.tokensugita.com/ is it secure to buy from there?? (also inderested in aoi-art)

thing is i emailed them yesterday also not sure if they gona answer... well i got around 7-8k euro total and i think i gona spend near 6-7 for the sword with import costs also so around 4.5-5.5keuro for katana maybe. Nice thinking Brian u got a point here. gona ask them if this paper works or a copy of it. but in case they need original i may need to have aoi or someone else to send me something signed and posted before katana... if any of u talk with someone from the site would be appreciated if u could ask them if they are willing to do this paperwork thing and send it. i am bit disappointed (btw import gona cost me +22% or 25%, 2 questions i made i got 2 answers from customs lol) PS:If u order a papered katana u also get NBTHK papers or they keep them?(in NBTHK papers there are things like period made,smith,name of sword etc right? also dimensions. this would help. also will ask them if a copy can do the job till i receive original NBTHK with katana if i dont ship NBTHK papers seperately.

ye had bookmarked the import/export tips, ty tho, but importing from a site with many exports as it seems no need to give them tips i guess. i just need to know if they can provide me with this paper waiting for some help guys

Hi all guys i am new to Nihonto world and want to buy my 1st blade at the upcoming months(2-3?).. already ordered 2-3 books to read some info. I wanna ask something important for me cause without it i cant order katana.(was thinking to buy from aoi-art as it seems to be very nice site) After going around with the law(i am from Greece) i see that i need to take a license for owning the specific katana i will choose to buy together with some other papers. The thing is when i finally choose which katana i want(with your help maybe? ) i will need a signed paper(from a local authority police or something? in english if possible) from Aoi-art(or other site) with all characteristics of the katana (name of blade,smith,age/or period i guess,dimensions,if the edge is sharp or no(sharp ofc) and that this blade is an antique) and posted to Greece seperately before katana (with my own costs ofc) so i can take the license to import the blade cause they need the characteristics for the license. anyone heard something similar? (ofc i will pay them the sword while they keep it, i just need them to send it some days after the paper i need) i already emailed aoi-art but no answer yet, would be appreciated if someone from Japan could find out something? or even better if there is a member from Aoi-art reading this. thank you for reading George S.