Opinions..what Do We Have Here?

[Brian]

Ok folks..

Before I call shenanigans (and I suspect I will have to) can anyone give me their opinions of what we have here.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153038848321881&set=pcb.897823956937386&type=3&relevant_count=4

What I see is an oil quenched hamon at best...and a Chinese one at worst. The "diamonds" in the tsukamaki are terrible, no Japanese craftsman is going to do that wrap. The fittings look utilitarian at best, Chen at worst. Bad fuchi and kashira. bad tsukamaki. Sugata is ok. Menuki look modern.

I have asked for pics of the nakago, waiting for a reason why they can't be given.

Brought from Kyoto personally? I suspect not, unless it is a training sword? And highly unlikely to be handmade, right? No torokusho either I am betting

Didn't want to post there until it is confirmed. But await other opinions.

[Lee Bray]

Looks like a Paul Chen with a rewrap. Hamon, habaki and boshi look very much like Chen work.

 

[Brian]

If it did come from Kyoto (and the owner is a martial artist) then I am assuming that it came from Tozando. In which case, what would it be?

A shinken has to have had a torokusho, right? Anything else, and it can't have an edge.

So mogito or Chen? I can't see this being a shinken made from tamahagane.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I would say it's Paul Chen Practical Pro Katana. Judging by the blade, wrap, tsuba, menuki and the very long tsuka.

 

Menuki

 

Tsuba

 

 

 

In overall too many identical things with Paul Chen Practical Pro. Looks like sageo and sword bag were changed. Regardless of the long tsuka I think it's a solid 300€ sword, but the current asking price is way too high even though I know production swords are bit hard to get in South Africa.

[Teimei]

:rotfl:

 

That is a Hanwei Practical Pro Katana! Feast your eyes on the synthetic ray skin  ! Even the sloppy (fake) leather tsuka-maki is original.

I do not know how much this guy wants, but you can have mine for 300$ .

 

 

 

Best regards,

[Brian]

Posted the info..await the indignant reply and storming off in a huff telling me I don't know what I am talking about.

Doesn't it always go that way?

[Shamsy]

Other than a few people trolling, discussion seems pretty respectful at this stage. It's almost like watching a soap unfold.

[Brian]

Since no-one knows anything about Japanese swords here, no-one is going to say anything. The owner obviously picked the "remain silent" tactic instead of answering questions.

[tokashikibob]

I did see what looks to be fine Nugga Wagga if you magnify the photo.

[Brian]

[Ed]

I'm still looking for that elusive damn nugga wagga.

 

Tell them these are pretty similar and waaaay cheaper:

http://casiberia.com/product/practical-pro-elite-katana/sh6009kpg

[jlawson]

The question is how much fine Nugga Wagga is required for a sword to be classified as Nihonto. Surely there is some measurement or scale that we can use to determine the authenticity of swords. Please also someone needs to alert the certification bodies NBTHK and NTHK that they are going to need Nugga Wagga detectors or persons of sufficient quality to detect amounts of Nugga Wagga. 

[SwordGuyJoe]

I did see what looks to be fine Nugga Wagga if you magnify the photo.

 

Either I am a little dense or your sarcasm is no where near obvious enough (probably more the former than the latter).  What the hell is Nugga Wagga???

[Brian]

You'd have to read the FB posts linked above.

It was a tongue in cheek comment made to me by one of the SA'fricans in response to too much Japanese used when describing the sword.

I guess sometimes the way we describe things comes across as gobbledygook to the average person.

 

Brian....if this blade does not have a Nugga Wagga.....then it is clearly a Bugga Uppa....ur thoughts....?

[SwordGuyJoe]

Ha! Sorry for dumbing down the collective IQ.