Original or reconditioned

[Trevor]

Hi folks,

Would it be smart to have our type98 polished and a rewrap for the handle.

 

Or is it best to just preserve it as is.(few light stains on blade/handle wrapped with bandage as advised)

Rgds

Trevor

[Bruce Pennington]

That's a "that depends" kind of question! You will find collectors on both sides of that question. Some prefer to preserve gunto in their current condition, especially if it appears it's condition came from the war and not from a post-war Bubba. Some try to restore gunto to as much of their original glory as possible. I did that with my dad's Mantetsu, but I've left most of my others "as is." Ok, I've added a missing seppa here and there, but nothing more (ok, yes I've added missing sarute and tassels on them all, but nothing more!!!).(Dang, ok, I stripped 2 95s that had horrible post-war paint, and repainted one of them).

 

So it depends upon what you plan to do with yours - sell or keep and preserve. If selling, don't change anything! If keeping, it's your call. A handle re-wrap can run around $200 and a blade polish from $700 to $2,400 depending upon who does it.

[PNSSHOGUN]

You will have to refresh our memory with some pictures on this one. Full restoration by qualified professionals for rewrap and polish would be a few thousand dollars easily. 

[IJASWORDS]

If the sword is in original mountings, but is a bit messy, I would preserve it as is. Two reasons.....

1. probably worth more to military collector with patina. 

2. you can always do it later when you know more about them.   

[Trevor]

Thanks

Best left alone then.

Rgds

Trev

ps

Why no file marks on my tang?

Should I start a new thread for this question?

[Bruce Pennington]

Have you had this translated? This is quite a unique sword! It has a flat mune.

[Trevor]

Hi Bruce,

Roger in England says I need to remove the chalk so he can see the strokes.

But I'm reluctant given the trouble

We had first time.

Maybe I should?

Rgds

Trev

[David Flynn]

Hizen no kuni Tadayoshi.

[Trevor]

Probably Gimie,

But not yet discredited by Mr Roger Robinshaw.

Have a very tight handle situation.

Bit nervous about going there again unless prompted.

Rgds

Trev

[Trevor]

Hi Bruce,

Is this unusual?

Seems good engineering

But added degree of difficulty.

Rgds

Trev

[Trevor]

Hi Bruce,

Is this unusual?

Seems good engineering

But added degree of difficulty.

Rgds

Trev

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Bruce,

Is this unusual?

Seems good engineering

But added degree of difficulty.

Rgds

Trev

Sorry Trev, that turned out to be a trick of the original picture. I can see in the last picture that the mune is beveled normally. Pictures and lighting sometimes play tricks on us on the forums.

[David Flynn]

Bruce, do you mean iori mune?

[Bruce Pennington]

Bruce, do you mean iori mune?

Yes, sorry, never had that terminology down. The first pic made me think it was hira-mune.

[Trevor]

And the lack of file marks under signature?

Rgds

Trev

[PNSSHOGUN]

Normal in older blades where the natural patina has covered them.

[Trevor]

Cheers Bloke.

Makes good sence.

Rgds

Trv

[Geraint]

Dear Trevor.

 

Roger is a great person to be in contact with and will steer you well on this one.  Whatever the outcome of his examination this is a very nice piece and I would suggest you do as little as possible to it with regard to restoration.

 

As David says it is signed Hizen kuni Tadayoshi but it is also signed tachi mei which all helps toward the school.  If Robert comes back with a positive then you might need to start thinking about polish and papers but for now just a little light oil on that blade and enjoy it.

 

All the best.

[Trevor]

Agree 100% mate.

Will just calm down and

Time will tell.

I may have found a man here in my town I can trust.

Will PM some of the Aussie here for opinions on his work/reputation first.

 

Thank you all again for your time.

Rgds

Trev

This all reminds me of grandfather's axe.(Its only had 3 handles and 2 heads)