Polishing costs?

[Strider]

I know that this has probably been discussed many time before, but how would I go about having a wakazashi blade evaluated to determine if it was a good candidate for proffesional polishing? Does the price vary in relation to size? Do you send them off for an inspection/appraisal? So many questions. Scott

[mfarrar]

If you post some pics we should be able to see whether it is worth a polish.

 

Price depends on the length of the blade, and on the polisher. Where abouts do you live? There are a number of good polishers in the USA, and Europe. If the blade is good you may want to send it to Japan, though this can be costly.

 

Rough costs Japan: $70 per inch, US : $55 per inch

 

Another thing to factor in to the price is Shirasaya & habaki if you need them.

 

The 3 main things to consider when deciding on polishing are:

 

1. The financial investment, how much you have invested in the sword and how much will it be worth after polishing. Will you have spent more money on the blade than its worth?

 

2. Can the sword take another polish, is it healthy enough?

 

3. Does it need polishing? (Can you see the detail in the blade already? Is there active rust that needs removing to prevent damage to the blade? Do you want to submit the blade for papers?)

[Ken-Hawaii]

Scott, if you're living near a togishi (polisher), it's best to bring the blade in for him/her to evaluate. That way, you can get all the pros & cons at one sitting. Nearly all the togishi I know are more than willing to polish almost anything that's brought in (let's face it, they have a living to make, too). But there are a few notable exceptions who won't agree to polish any blade they don't deem as worthy.

 

Mark's suggestions are well-taken, & I would add a couple more. Does the blade require any reshaping or straightening? What level of polishing does it need (shiage [final] only or a full shitaji)? And does the blade warrant waiting possibly 6-12 months to be polished? I've paid in excess of $100/inch on a blade I successfully submitted for origami.

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

Hello, if it is a Mumei Wakizashi it may not be worth the cost of restoration. If you post some pictures we can maybe give you a cheap oppinion.

 

Max