Any Thoughts Or Advice On This Katana?

[general_piffle]

Now I've returned what was my first and only Katana to the seller I'm keen to find a replacement. Considering the sword in this link was made exactly 100 years before I was born I'm tempted to go for it. But wondered what some of you experts thought? Especially of the surface anomaly about halfway along the blade as shown in the pictures:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281809220149?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Also I've already taken the advice of this forum and have invested in a copy of The Samurai Sword: A Handbook by John Yumoto. Thanks.

 

[paulb]

Dear Joel

I note that you are based in London. Can I suggest before investing in swords you attend a meeting of the Token Soceity of GB which meets every other month. You will meet a good number of friendly, enthusiatic and Knowledgeable people very willing to help you. The next meeting will be in December.

In the meantime if the need to buy cant wait (and if It cant there are many of us who know how you feel) look at some of the dealers sites listed on here. tell them what you are looking for and your budget.

Please avoid Ebay it is not the place to look for your first sword, there are too many fakes, criminal wanting to take your money and too many down right bad pieces.

Regarding this one if it is legitimate and went for this price it would probably be ok. If it is worth a lot more there will be 100s of other people to compete with.who know more and have more money than you may wish to spend on your first sword.

 

 

edit: Sorry Joel in the early hours I misssed your name at the bottom of your post

[Geraint]

Dear Joel.

 

Have to echo what Paul has said.  Personally I would be a little unhappy about the flaws on this sword, especially as it is shinshinto.  Have a look here, http://nihonto.org.uk/index.html I am sure that you could arrange to visit and see items in hand and not too far away from you.  No huge shipping costs, no hassles with customs etc.  Also if you are a member of the Token Society you will have ample justification for importing swords when you need to.  If you have not already both the V&A and British museums have some swords to see.  Take a handkerchief, drool on the glass is considered bad form in museums generally.

 

Have fun.

[Jean]

Dear Joel,

 

I can only approve what have been said above but I shall add that almost all the defaults are located in the the hamon which is not good.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Joel,

At any given time there are probably at least 100 guys like you: beginners anxious to buy their first katana, trolling ebay.  Each of them have more money than knowledge about what they're attempting and they're all convinced they can make a smart purchase without first doing their homework.  They can't.  Collectively they will drive the price of this and any other mediocre sword on ebay above reason.

Slow down Grasshopper.  There will never be a time when there won't be a good katana at a fair price to buy, and once you know what to look for you can buy one.  But first you have to study.

Grey

[Isocyanide]

If you're dying to have a sword buy one from a reputable dealer.  You need a lot of knowledge to weed through the sea of garbage that is online auctions.

[Stephen]

agree with Paul, go to meeting for hands on experience, Ya can read alot of books but if you dont know what ther telling ya ther ya are, Look at the bigger dealers web sites, Ed takes fantastic photos and has archives  http://yakiba.com/Hageyama has top of the line swords dive into what hes telling you about his SFS. http://www.nihonto.com/, same with AoiArt http://www.aoijapan.com/ 

As well as big MO

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/

[Alex A]

Buy in haste, repent at leasure.........its true

 

Also remember that whatever you buy, one day you will want to sell.

[tagheuer]

Buy in haste, repent at leasure.........its true

 

 

 

It is so true... 

[peterd]

Hi Joel,

if you want to handle some swords, there is The London Antique Arms Fair this saturday 

PeteD

[general_piffle]

Thanks for the advice gents. Asking questions here, as well as reading online, and going to see pieces such as they have at the V&A (which I've done several times but am due another visit - thanks for reminding me Geraint!) is all part of the learning for me.

 

Eager but not devoid of reason