Please help with tanto

[RussellM]

Hi everyone,

 

This tanto is available for sale here in NZ and I'm interested in finding out more about it as I am considering buying it.

 

There is some activity visible in the blade, it is not signed.

 

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  These are the only pics that are available.

 

A ballpark appraisal of value would also be appreciated - selling price on it here is around US$850, I don't know if that is accurate or not.

 

Many thanks!

 

Cheers

 

Russ

 

 

[RussellM]

Overall length is just over 35cm and the cutting edge is 25.5cm.

 

Cheers

 

Russ

[Ken-Hawaii]

It's more than what I would pay, Russ, but it is a real Nihonto. Check out https://markussesko.com/2015/04/13/kantei-1-sugata-7/  so you can make your own educated decision.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Russ,

There's not much I can tell you from those photos that you haven't spotted. It's genuine but the blade is pretty featureless, the only bits that stand out for me are what look like a couple of rust pits and possibly a fukure. The shitodome is missing from the scabbard and the metal fittings are rusty. I agree with Ken that it is overpriced for what it is - an unsigned blade of average workmanship, maybe shinshinto era, and both blade and fittings not in best condition.

 

My advice would be to keep your money and wait for something better to come along as I feel you'll struggle to get your money back or very much enjoyment from owning the blade. If you feel that you have to have it view it in hand if you can to make sure there's nothing not visible in the photos, and try making a low offer, maybe around $500 to $600 and see where that leads you.

[RussellM]

Ken, many thanks for the link to that website, most interesting, and a great site for me to bookmark!

 

John, thank you for your comments, they are very much appreciated.  I agree with what you've said, I don't have it in hand and I thought the price was likely to be excessive for what we can see in the rather poor pics.  I've decided to leave it and wait for something better to come along.  When I do find something, I will post it here for appraisal.

 

Thank you gentlemen!

 

Cheers from NZ

 

Russ