Me Again - I Think A Found A Better Sword

[geronimo95]

I have a chance to go get this sword for what is an excellent price (if it is what it says it is). It's a bit of a trip, an hour drive and 90 minutes on a ferry.

 

Apparently it's a sword forged in 1941 by Kanemich

I found an example of the tang markings of Kanemich and the markings look very close to me but I'm not an expert.

 

Right away I can see better characteristics but  thought I would benefit from asking here and I know you guys love looking at pics of swords so...

 

[SwordGuyJoe]

It all depends on what is being asked for the sword and what your goals are. It is Kanemichi and he was a well regarded smith. That said, his work included showato and gendaito - though I'll be honest, I don't believe I've ever seen a traditionally forged sword by him, much less a high quality one, but I've never tried either. Now I don't want to burst your bubble, but what I see in an out of polish showato. I won't speak to the mounts as I know nothing about them. Could it be gendaito? Sure, I suppose. But not likely to be a very good one, because even in the state of polish, you'd see some incling of quality seeping through. I do not see that here.

 

That brings me to your goals. If you are trying to get started in nihonto, this isn't the sword for you. It's not traditionally made (more than likely - but that's just my opinion) and even if you'd spend the $3,000 to polish it, what you'd learn is that you'd have been better off passing. If you're looking for militaria, then this isn't the sword for you. It either never had military mounts or it did and was repurposed. If you are looking for a Japanese sword, then this is a decent option - again, depending on the price. I hope I don't come across as rude or blunt, but I thought I'd be honest and hopefully help you avoid a purchase of your goals were one of the two that this sword doesn't fit for.

 

If you're looking for nihonto you need look no further than our commercial section. PLENTY of good deals and excellent people to deal with. If you would like referrals to good dealers, this group has likely dealt with them all and could provide the good, bad, and ugly of dealing with them. So help us understand what you are looking for and perhaps we can help.

[geronimo95]

Your honesty is appreciated. You've given me lots to think about.

 

For 600$ I think it's a pretty good entry level Japanese sword but I should think about exactly what I want and not impulse buy it.

 

And terms....showato means non traditionally made sword (power hammers, oil quenching) and as such can be a good sword but not one for the purists....correct?

[Jamie]

I too think it's oil quenched.

Depends on what you mean entry level. I would think you'd want to appreciate the finer details, but if you want a WWII sword it's not a bad deal probably. You could resell for that.

A little more will get you into a real nihonto though.

[lonely panet]

move on to better feeding grounds, I think the of metal that will have to be removed to correct the shape is pointless.

 

imperial swords are a funny area, if its not in great to excellent condition move on, as there only 70 years old.

[geronimo95]

At this point my goal is to have a Japanese sword from the ww2 period. In the future I'm sure my interests will focus more narrowly and if at that point I can resell this sword for what I paid for it then I'm good with that. I just need something authentic which I can hold and wave around and show my friends and go from there.

 

So not the greatest sword but then again not a big investment either....

[geronimo95]

Not the right shape?

If I buy this I don't think I would try to fix it. I would just oil it correctly to halt any corrosion and leave it as is.

[Brian]

It had a bad, amateur (and typical) polishing job, that ruined all the straight lines and rounded off the shinogi line.

You see this all too often from people who think they can improve a rusty sword. Getting it back where it is supposed to be would cost a lot, before you even start the real polish. The tiny pitting marks show it was once covered in rust. Then someone "got busy"

It's not terrible at $600..since you can get a Chen or Cold Steel in that range otherwise, but for a collector sword it is a pass. Just to have a sword? ... maybe at $600. The tsuba isn't terrible.

[Kai-Gunto]

It has a lot of pitting. Wait for a better example.

[Kronos]

I've seen much better examples in the $600 range.

[ROKUJURO]

...... I just need something authentic which I can hold and wave around.....

Jeremy,

 

you should absolutely refrain from that! The TSUKA is old and cracked, and even if it was a cheap military item, you may not want to have it flying around in your rooms!

In that condition, it is nothing to impress friends and the mounting is just good enough for a firm rest on a KATANA KAKE! 

[geronimo95]

So what I'm hearing loud and clear is that I can do better with my money if I can just be patient.....

 

I'very been looking in your sales forum and I can see the quality of the swords but the prices are also quite intimidating

 

So if anyone has a half decent ww2 sword just lurking on the edge of their collection please don't hesitate to send me a message.

[Art Torano]

Jeremy,

 

It seems you did not understand what the other members were trying to impart on you previous post. They gave you outstanding advice.  This hobby is not about buying a sword.  It's about learning what quality, history and provenance means.  The fact you asked about what obviously are cheap Chinese knockoffs and a gunto seems to indicate you have not attended a sword show and seen and held a real Nihonto in hand.

 

Perhaps your taking the time to acquire some books and going to a sword show would be better than wasting your money.  If you really just want to have a blade to do cutting, buy a used Paul Chen on ebay, low cost and at least you know what you have.  Then as you learn what real swords are and you like the hobby, then invest.

 

Better to have a few high quality pieces than a bunch of mediocre pieces.

 

Bon Chance,

 

Art Torano

[Pete Klein]

Jeremy -- Why not save your money and invest it in a trip down to the San Francisco Token Kai in early August. You live close enough you could even do a day trip. Then, you could really see what this is all about. If you go make it a Saturday as that's when most things happen.

[geronimo95]

Art

I hear you loud and clear. I'very declined the local sword. My hesitation is purelying financial. I'very seen the sale forum here and clearly to follow your advice will require a larger investment than I can currently give.

[geronimo95]

San Francisco is a great city. August could be a great trip!