Nihonto Identification, worth restoring?

[ribendao]

I've seen this blade for sale. I really like the way the blade curves but its not in great shape. What time period do you guys think its from? You think it can be cleaned up? Worth a buy come payday?
Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ribendao]

A couple more photos:

 

[b.hennick]

I see a lot of expensive restoration work ahead. You risk things not turning out well. At best you MIGHT break even. 

[Shugyosha]

I’m assuming you’re talking about a professional polish?

 

it probably isn’t worth investing in an unsigned Shinto (that’s my guess) blade as they aren’t particularly desirable. you need to factor in the cost of a shirasaya and new habaki too. 
 

There are some kitae ware (one of which is perhaps a fukure) and these will only get bigger with the polish and there’s always the risk that the polish will reveal or create other problems. 
 

For me there’s too much risk and too little potential reward. I’m guessing that for the cost of this blade, the polish and the extras you are looking at something around $3k for which you can get a nice papered blade, in polish. Check out the sales section on here for comparison.

 

 

 

 

[Toryu2020]

Someone did a hack job on that nakago - the blade looks tired. Save your money, buy polished and papered blades...

-t

[SAS]

Possible hagire (crack in hardened edge) which is a fatal flaw, not worth putting money into imo.

[ROKUJURO]

The TSUBA is cast and has almost no value.

[ChrisW]

That possible hagire has me worried, it looks pretty bad. The nakago looks pretty dog-eared as well.

[ribendao]

Thanks guys. You all pretty much confirmed what I had suspected. I wouldn't mind if it was a little rusted but the possible hagire you guys pointed out has pretty much steered me away from this blade for sure.