manfrommagnum Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 How long have you all waited to get your sword polished in Japan? Do they keep their word on the turn around time. I will add that I dont care who polishes it as long as it is done correctly. I have sent two of mine to two different polishers. They are long past the promise date. I feel like I have been bait-and-switched and would have been better off sending them to someone else. Mike Quote
Fuuten Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 Well depending on the workload of a polisher, plus shipping, plus the time entering Japan, then leaving with documentation and all thats stuff. It can take many months.. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 Many polishers are extremely busy. Back-logged even. It seems to be one modern sword-related job that actually keeps the artisans in Japan alive and fed. Quote
Stephen Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 SOME high end take six years, how long has it been? Quote
Kam A Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 As it is a a craft of multiple variables It is very difficult to give a true time estimate. There is a video that has been discussed here about the Deshi of Sasaki sensei that has been uploaded to YouTube. Sasaki sensei mentions a blade that has been in waiting for 20 years . Kam Quote
Mark Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 You can contact an agent, Robert Hughes has a relationship with polishers. Ask him what the turn around time would be, I have found he is accurate. Chris Bowen may also have a relationship with craftsman in Japan and he could tell you their turn around time Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 I dropped a katana off with Bob Benson last month, & he told me 18 months for a complete restoration. Ken Quote
Kronos Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 One of my swords is with Paul at present and the polisher said 6 months. He uses quite a few so you can probably find one without an extreme waiting list. Quote
Brian Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Also worth looking at: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12772-sword-polishing-service-in-Japan/ Brian Quote
Jean Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Robert Hughes has also access to the best craftsmen and polishers in Japan. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Dropped my Kama off in November where it joined the orderly sword queue, and collected it when I was back over in late March. Quote
manfrommagnum Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Posted July 12, 2015 Both of mine have been out for almost a year. One was started and the other isn't. Quote
manfrommagnum Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Posted July 12, 2015 I have to say that if someone was in posession of my personal property for over two years, I would consider it stolen. Maybe I am expecting too much, but every single business i have ever delt with in my life required them to deliver on time and they were required to know their lead time within a week of error. Someone once said that they wanted to find a way to get more people interested in nihonto. Maybe this is why they are not. Quote
hxv Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Michael, If, at some point, you get nervous about your swords being in others' possession for so long, you can always ask your togishi to return your swords to you. If they don't fulfill your wish, then and only then would I consider them stolen. Regards, Hoanh Quote
Kam A Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 I have to say that if someone was in posession of my personal property for over two years, I would consider it stolen. Maybe I am expecting too much, but every single business i have ever delt with in my life required them to deliver on time and they were required to know their lead time within a week of error. Someone once said that they wanted to find a way to get more people interested in nihonto. Maybe this is why they are not. As pre mentioned "variables" ....if you are to run a business you need to make a living as well as cover overheads etc. while it is economically preferable to have it back in the clients hands = money in their pocket it does not mean it is always achievable due to variables. If a flaw becomes apparent and needs to be rectified or the blade reveals more issues than expected (and this could be before your blade) then it takes more time, if the craftsman becomes sick/injured ..more time. As there are more problems that arise regularly then the time taken to achieve the best outcome is not always predictable. If a togishi takes an extra 12 months due to xyz then as long as I receive the best job he is capable of then I am happy. As Some togishi get established and build their reputation then naturally they will have long waiting lists as do some sayashi...I have a 2 year backlog for koshirae....this is the nature of handcraft by an artist/craftsman and not done in some sort of factory assembly line concept. Kam Quote
NihontoSeeker Posted July 14, 2015 Report Posted July 14, 2015 Ive sent 3 swords to Japan using Kunitaro sans service. All have been in different stages of restoration, needing polish and papers. Polish only takes a few weeks. The shinsa process takes the most time. Quote
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