bloodycarrots

New question. Does this price seem fair for what is on offer? Also, why is there a hard line on the tang of the long sword? Was that bit of metal added to the tang after the fact to lengthen it? https://rva-katana.com/products/antique-nihonto-daishou-katana-early-edo-unsigned-and-wakizashi-late-muromachi-signed-bishu-osafune-sukesada-not-verified

I’m wary about buying from Japan. The long lead time and shipping this is not an insignificant amount of money. Have you done this? How was the experience?

What would be a good site or place for my budget, no more than $3-4K? Unfortunately i will not able to make any of those shows this year.

I don’t know if there are any sword shows near me. But based on google there are no dealers near me that I could visit. Closest is RVA which is over 4 hours away so that is a bit of a hike. Are there any events coming up in the Philadelphia, PA area or know of any dealers nearby?

Maybe a better question would be where should I go to find a piece? My budget for this one is right around $3500-4000. I’ve been looking all over (using the links provided here), but I’m getting a bit lost in the sauce.

I’ve been doing research but when it comes to actually buying I have no experience, which is why I came here to ask questions. What all should I be looking for in order to spot a fake?

I'm looking to buy my very first sword, and i don't want to get burned. https://rva-katana.com/products/antique-nihonto-late-muromachi-katana-in-koshirae-signed-hisayuki-unverified?_pos=17&_fid=2e79cd254&_ss=c They claim it is an antique but, I cant be sure. Any help is appreciated