Can you fix a nakago ?

[Thekirsh]

I have just purchased a sword to which the previous owner had

"removed all that nasty rust from the tang with special chemicals"

I was wondering is there a way to darken the nakago,even a little?

Is it ever done professionally?

And finally does it really matter on an average blade valued at less

than $ 1000?

Interested to hear your comments

Thanks Simon

[Mike]

Yes, there is a way to repatinate the nakago, there few past threads that are dealing this issue. Anyway it is a job for professional polisher and might cost you more than your sword value.

Mike

[Brian]

Simon,

 

Professional repatination of the nakago is often done by qualified people. I am sure someone will provide you with some links. It is done when a nakago has been cleaned such as yours has, or after a gimei is removed. I think a lot of sword polishers offer it as a service, but it can come with a hefty pricetag.

I don't think it is something you can attempt yourself. There are various (and some bizarre) formulas that do the rounds occasionally, but they are hard to come by, and can be risky. As to whether or not it is worth it, that depends on the sword in question. You would have to decide for yourself if it will enhance your sword, or if it is worth it. On a military gunto, maybe..maybe not. On an old sword then it is usually worth it if the sword is a nice example.

I would think that a decent job would easlily cost $500 to $1000, but the result is very good, and can sometimes not be easily detected. Some amateur jobs can be seen a mile away. Do not attempt to use any gun browning or bluing solution. This is a bad method that does not resemble an old patina in any way.

What sword is this?

 

Brian

[Thekirsh]

Thanks for the information,

I will post a photo of the nakago when I actually take possesion.

Simon

[Bungo]

there is such a thing called "plum brown ".....never used it myself .

A Japanese dealer was caught buying that stuff while visiting the sword shows.......just a little gossip, take it for what it's worth.........

 

milt THE ronin

[Ed Harbulak]

I have patinated small bare spots on a nakago using an antique browning solution of the type used to brown muzzle loading firearms. It does provide a good rust color which on a gendai in other wise good condition, that is, crisp file marks, would work fine. It will not restore the kind of fine pitting, covered by ancient rust, found on older blades. Several applications are required, applied at the rate of about one a day. Four to five days should produce quite a decent color. At least the nakago would not look like it had just been "cleaned". Good luck, but as with anything related to nihonto, you might want to let someone who has done this before examine your sword and suggest how best to handle your specific problem.

Ed

[bdgrange]

You can buy gun blue and browning solution from a gun store and expriment with the color you want and mix or apply one and then the other. Kind of like using nagui powder and mixing.

 

regards

Bill Delagrange

[bullpuppy]

I am considering removing the mei from a sword myself. Is it really necessary to do put false surface rust?

[John A Stuart]

Take this for what it is worth. If you are removing the mei to send to shinsa, then, you suspect the sword has some potential. If so, then it should be done professionally. If not, then why remove it at all. You know it is gimei and that should be sufficient. Old browning solutions are a way to force rust and would be a different patina, not bad looking to be sure but not exactly right either. Again if you see a potential to this sword then this as well should be done by the pro who removes the mei. Good luck if you try yourself, it is already damaged and if a small investment and not an uncommon example not a great loss but a loss just the same. John

[bullpuppy]

I really didn't mean that I would remove it. I would have the polisher remove it. I restore old single shot rifles as a hobby and I know how to apply various types of rust blues.

[John A Stuart]

Oh I see. That is best. However an expense for an average sword. John

[bdgrange]

Bob Benson in Hawaii removes mei and patinates.

Submits for NBTHK shinsa as well.

bushido Japanese swords

 

regards

Bill Delagrange[/u]

[S.Haugtredet]

I have a question about rusting nakago. Why is it kept like that, and why is it importante to keep it rusted?

I`ve always wondered about it and never asked, thought it might be time when there`s so many with good knowledge in the forum

 

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi Haugtredet.

 

Rust helps to fix a date and genuinity. When black it's no more active and so it should be referred to as "patina". On many antiques of different nature "patina" is a must for the overall beauty of the object and for his datation.

 

Just my 2 eurocents.

[kusunokimasahige]

By the way, about Nakago....

 

i found a yari auction with shortened nakago, and if i win it i'd like a smith putting an extension onto the thing.... to make it into a pole yari again

 

is that ever done?

 

are there known examples of shortened nakagos even with swords, which were lengthened by (contemporary) smiths??

 

KM

[S.Haugtredet]

Thank you for answering my question Carlo.

 

Have a nice day :-)

[Stephen]

a nakago brought back to normal size, Jim K talked about it when I showed him one of mine that was cut to remove the mei. he said it was done in Japan alot and in a hundred years no one would know the deference