restoration project (noob)

[guylikemike]

Hi all,

 

Have been advised this is a seki kanekado blade and am thinking of resorting, polishing and sharpening it bit need to balance out cost. Can anyone advise me roughly of the price of restoration and total value of the blade/sword. Would really love to see it fully restored and enjoy it.

[Stephen]

cost is in the area of 1000 to upwards of 4K depending on togi. Being its a seki stamped blade you could go with someone like David Hoffhine, one of the better lesser trained polishers. Id not worry about replacing the wood saya in the gunto mounts as its just a showato blade.

 

so having done that youd not likly recover cost if you were to sell it.

 

Id just uchiko the blade once or twice a week and you'll see a great improvement in the polish over time. Why do you want it any sharper than it is?

[guylikemike]

Thankyou, I guess I'll have to train myself on how to Polish, being a first blade i just wanted to do as much possible with it,the sharpness isn't necessity but would like a good overall finish. The overall cost of polishing seems to far out weigh the overall value of the blade which is unfortunate and I really don't want to ruin the finish with some Noob mistake on the Polish! Any tips for a first timer on how to carefully restore the overall sword?

[J Reid]

You are going to be bombarded for this last post haha... amateur polishing is extremely frowned upon in the community.. Basically, do not ever attempt to polish the sword or any sword. If one day when you are more knowledgeable on the topic and you decide you want to learn some basic polishing skills- dont tell anybody here. Haha. Also practice on junk blades or repros/ chinese stuff... As for your desire to restore in general.. completely normal for your first blade. Read the FAQ and you'll discover most noobs feel this way but that you should probably just sit on it..

P.s. this package is generally in good antique condition overall.

[Stephen]

PS sound advice JR, leave it as it is. All Noobs want to do what you want to do. Go to sword shows and see true Nihonto. Then youll appreciate what you have is what it is a piece of WW2 history.

[guylikemike]

Thanks guys! Would probably of ended up with a rusty remover and emery cloth of it weren't for this forum! Appreciated

[Grey Doffin]

You could attempt to polish the sword but it would be much easier to simply set some money on fire. Accomplishes the same results.

Grey

[Geraint]

Confucius say, "Man who set money on fire lose the money. Man who polish own sword lose the money and sword."

[Alex A]

And finger :D .

 

Alex

[Stu W]

Value ... from those very limited photos - 600-750 USD.

 

Regards,

Stu