Comment on a Tanto

[bullpuppy]

I just got my tanto. I was not looking for anything valuable or collectable just something to have polished and that I can set on my desk at work (it helps maintain some disapline). Anyway the seller describes it as follows

 

Here is a tanto blade that is around 400 years old or more. The cutting edge is 7 1/8th inch or 18cm. It is 25mm wide at the notches and 4mm thick. From the shape of the elongated tip it looks like the end of a longer Nambokucho period blade. It is very thick and healthy with no cracks, bends, or serious problems. There are some tiny nail-catcher nicks and some light pitting in the middle of one side. The wavy temperline is visible along both sides of the edge with a tunback around the tip. There are signs of grain, but difficult to make out in this condition. There is a small opening on one side of the tang.

 

 

 

The price ended up being $202.

 

Does the seller's discription seem accurate? Not that I would be upset if it was a gunto.

 

The pictures are at

 

http://www.fototime.com/inv/AFCCC7C135723DA

 

Thanks for any feedback.

[Stephen]

it used to be a Katana, I have the feeling that 400 YO is pushing it a bit , lets see what the other members have to say, it will make a great two hundred dollar letter opener, seen in a other post your looking for the fellow who uses sandpaper to polish...at least I think its that guy....that kind of polish is ok for this.

[Jean]

Agreed with Stephen, the only thing we can say is that is a "slightly" suriage machiokuri katana

[Mike]

Almost sure it used to be longer sword, katana is a good gusse. Probably broken kissaki or something. As for age, your guess is good as mine. Mike

[Jean]

I would not say broken kissaki (boshi is visible on the pictures), probably a big accident (hagire, dent) slightly under the the Monouchi. It makes the sword either a very powerfull waki or a katana.

 

That's All Folks (Merry Melodies'Music :lol: :lol: )