Info needed on the classification on this sword/blade

[Runt]

Hi All, I'm new to the forum. I have a sword in my possession which I was considering to buy but need more info on it to determine if I'm paying a fair price (Asking price is ZAR 30,000 or US$2000) (Don't think this is worth close to that). Any help would be appreciated.

I don't have much info other than the images I took yesterday on inspection. I can see the tip is damaged. 

 

My intention with this purchase is to buy something worth investing in as art / an heirloom to pass on to my son one day. 

(I doubt that this piece meets those standards but would like confirmations from someone knowledgeable in this field)

 

Thanks in advance for feedback and apologies if this is posted in the incorrect area.

 

The Saya is Dark blue lacquered but very badly scratched. 

[raaay]

Name please it is the rules on the board , sorry but you need to invest in some books on the subject , before you venture down the road of buying Japanese swords , because like your previous post this is a Chinese copy ,

[Runt]

Thank you Ray. Apologies for not posting a name.

 

This was an opportunity with the owner emigrating and selling in a rush. I have not committed to purchasing luckily as I know there is a great amount of copy's doing the rounds. 

 

Kind regards, 

 

Danie

[raaay]

 

Danie

 

good news , take your time and make contact if possible with local collectors , I am not sure there are many in your neck of the woods ! but the NMB will always try and help out.

[Runt]

Thanks Ray, There definitely aren't many hence my outreach here. 

 

I'll definitely do my research. Do I inform the owner of these that they are copies or just tell him I changed my mind.

 

Cheers

[PNSSHOGUN]

Up to you, he probably knows if he's trying to flog them as originals.

[Brian]

Danie,
You are lucky in that this forum is run out of South Africa
Yeah...just about all swords you find here will be fakes. The owners and dealers buy from eBay and then think they are selling a real one. I only come across one or 2 real ones a year.
If you are looking, import one from a member here. Or I can ask around. There are a handful of collectors in SA. One guy in Pta with masses of them.
Contact me anytime you have any queries.
Tell the guy it's a fake. he won't believe you..and will likely argue or take offence, but been through that many times and at least it is up to him how he sells it later, he cannot claim ignorance.

Brian

[Fuuten]

Also, cause I didn't see it posted while scanning this topic. Keep an eye on the for sale section as for +-2000 USD you'll see better items pass weekly. And welcome, this is a good place to learn!

[16k]

It’s the kind of blade you’ll find on eBay for about $200, so your seller is a con artist. Great cutter, but 100% made in Longquan, China.

 

Run away!

[Greg F]

Geez they couldnt even line the hamachi up with the munemachi.

 

Greg

[16k]

  On 11/30/2019 at 1:05 PM, Greg F said:

Geez they couldnt even line the hamachi up with the munemachi.

Greg

It’s done on purpose. Most Chinese katana are like that because of their habaki.

[Greg F]

I havnt seen many like that apart from the occasional sword posted here. None of my chinese made swords are like that.

 

Greg

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 12/1/2019 at 5:39 AM, Greg F said:

I havnt seen many like that apart from the occasional sword posted here. None of my chinese made swords are like that.

Greg

I agree. There is definitely something not right about this blade (the offset machi; the look of the nakago) but the blade tip is nicely shaped, unlike the standard Chinese blade. Maybe it's a modern-made blade by someone not Japanese, but it doesn't match the "normal" Chinese fake.

[16k]

Sorry, but you guys should go look at the stuff of someone like Tsunami Dragon. Now, the Yokote are well defined and offset hamachi are frequent. This is typical 2018+ katana. They even use hazuya now.

[Greg F]

From my very cheap low quality display sword up to a high quality(for China) sword made by simon lee and many in between none of mine have offset machi. Lucky i guess haha.

Seems silly to go to the effort of a hamon and polish lines etc and not line up machi and fix habaki. Just my opinion.

 

Greg

[Dave R]

  On 12/2/2019 at 6:06 AM, Greg F said:

From my very cheap low quality display sword up to a high quality(for China) sword made by simon lee and many in between none of mine have offset machi. Lucky i guess haha.

Seems silly to go to the effort of a hamon and polish lines etc and not line up machi and fix habaki. Just my opinion.

 

Greg

 

 It's to do with how the habaki is made. Most Chinese habaki are cast brass and without a machigane, to compensate for this they cut the machi at different levels.

[16k]

Yes, that is the reason. I’ve seen countless like that and own a few.