Tsuguhiro back from Bobby

[b.hennick]

Novices use untrained polishers - well at least not fully trained. Wven fully trained polishers can mess up a good blade. As Mike Yamasaki wrote he uses many different trained polishers depending on the blade. Each polisher had a type of blade that he does the best.

[Stephen]

Right Barry, but no comment about the blade?

[zentsuji2]

Wonderful blade Stephen,

The nie is beautiful,as is the boshi.

A lovely sword,and a fantastic test Chris ,to show foundation polish,and a heads up for showing it in the light Stephen.

I like the mounts and tsuba,i think a subtle polishing will make the black perfect,and compliment the blade.

I hink you have showed us newcomers how a blade should be brought back properly.

No cutting corners.

Thanks for sharing a stunning looking sword.

Your a good bloke and derserve it.

 

Best regards.Ian Bellis

[Stephen]

Ian thank you mate

 

Barry thanks for the PM, i went with new saya insted of shirasaya. Next stop showing David McDs ito replacement.

[Stephen]

This in from Bob, it should clear the air and if polishing outside of Japan needs to be addressed perhaps a new thread, i am completly happy with mine, and would like this be devoted to my dai sho project, Daisho so to speak as tosogu does not match or do the smiths.

 

Stephen

There are 4 people that have certificates for polishing in the US and 3 reside here in Honolulu. Myself and two that were my students . Byron Shimizu and Woodrow Hall. The three of us have polished more Juto and Tokubetsu juto than anyone outside of Japan and probably more than 75 % of the Japanese polishers. There are just as many hacks in Japan as there are in the US. Why have I been doing this since 1967 while others have come and gone? Because I have never deviated from doing it properly. I have no students now except my 13 year old son.

 

 

Your Wakizashi was polished by Woodrow Hall. Unknown to the neophyte collectors around the world he has taken several awards from the NBTHK polishing contest. The first one about ten years ago when he was awarded their DILIGENT ENDEAVOR (cash award)being only the second foreigner to win that prize. I was the first.

 

 

While getting close to 80 I don't have anything to prove so I do only what I have bought or what no one else wants to do such as a large san kaku Su yari of 78 cm with tang of 74 cm that my son and I are doing now.

 

Bob Benson

[cabowen]

Stephen-

 

That verifies what I have been told- that Bob is basically retired and that his students do most of the work presently. I have heard Byron has a real estate career now and does little to no polishing.

 

The light bulb test is a dynamic test that pictures can not properly capture. Appreciate your effort though and it is good to hear that the foundation is well done. The first few generations of Tsuguhira are highly regarded- your sword demonstrates why....

 

I hope to see it some time. Maybe when we have a get together at my place once we move in I can talk you into attending...

[Stephen]

Chris

 

I wouldnt miss it for the world.

[Brian]

Not to get too off topic, but I wouldn't call them students of Bob's anymore, since they are qualified. Partners or associates maybe, but not students or apprentices

 

I wonder who is the other that is qualified in the USA?

 

Brian

[cabowen]

They will always be Bob's students .....The other qualified polisher in the US would be Jimmy Hayashi in San Francisco.

 

I am curious as to what Bob refers to when he says they have "certificates"....Any one have any idea?

[Stephen]

Maybe start its own thread,ok?

[cabowen]

sorry....