Mantetsu

[Tom Clancy]

Hi

I am in the process of buying a Mantetsu signed Takehisa 'w' stamped katana. The tang does not have the mukden stamp or any Mantetsu signature. Is this correct? This is only my second sword purchased so I am quite new to the game,

Tom

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

Have a look here

[Tom Clancy]

Thanks for that Jacques but it did not tell me if this sword was made at the Mantetsu facility. Do you know when Takehisa started and finished at Mantetsu? Also what is the meaning of the 'w' stamp.

again

Tom.

[george trotter]

Hi Tom,

I think there may be a little confusion over "Mantetsu" and "Takehisa". These seem to be separate things.

The Mantetsu swords signed Koa Isshin are not made by a swordsmith as such. They are made by a "team" in a factory and then probably signed by a specialist signer. They are described in sources including John Slough's book Modern Japanese Swordsmiths pp.94-96. Slough includes a comment on the little "W" stamp (meaning unknown). He illustrates a tang signed "Takehisa" with the "W" stamp also (on same page) for comparison, but he is not claiming that the Mantetsu blades and Takehisa blades are associated or connected in any way, other than both having the "W" stamp.

If you buy the Takehisa blade, you are NOT buying a Mantetsu blade...different things.

Hope this helps.

George Trotter.

[Tom Clancy]

Hi George,

Thanks for all your help and info, this sword is advertised as a Mantetsu by Takehisa which seems to be very misleading and caused my confusion. The seller is 100% sure that Takehisa was responsible for making some of the finest Mantetsu blades. Would there be a considerable difference in price between a Takehisa and a Mantetsu given in the same condition.

Many

Tom.

[Grey Doffin]

Correct me if mistaken, but I don't think there is any way to classify a sword as Mantetsu unless Mantetsu is signed on the nakago. The use of Manchurian iron doesn't give the blade any special attribute different from a blade made with other iron. Mantetsu blades fetch a higher price because of the label, not because of quality. If the sword doesn't have the label it shouldn't sell at a premium.

Grey

[Tom Clancy]

Cheers Grey

Is there anyone out there who could give me a rough guide as to the value of a Takehisa in very good condition with good quality shin gunto mounts.

Regards Tom.

[bluboxer]

Greetings,

it is my understanding that what makes a Mantetsu unique is not necessarily where the steel comes from (although this steel was very low in alloys and/or impurities)but the construction.A core is inserted into a high carbon steel pipe and forge welded.Below is a good article.

http://www.k3.dion.ne.jp/~j-gunto/gunto_149.htm

I think there are many Mantetsu fans that would argue as to the purported quality but I do agree with Grey that if it is not signed as Mantetsu then it is not.

Alan

[Swords]

Hi I’m thinking of buying a sword signature Takehisa how do I know if’s a sword made by 

Mantetsu signature is well implemented and dyed 1943

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 8/30/2009 at 11:59 PM, Tom Clancy said:

Cheers Grey

Is there anyone out there who could give me a rough guide as to the value of a Takehisa in very good condition with good quality shin gunto mounts.

Regards Tom.

Takehisa normally sold for $1000-1300, Mantetsu would be double.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINTY-WWII-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-SHIN-GUNTO-World-War-2-KATANA-WW2-BLADE/373517288112?hash=item56f75d82b0:g:OPIAAOSwf5RgYJtW

This one is way high.

[Bruce Pennington]

5 hours ago, Swords said:

Hi I’m thinking of buying a sword signature Takehisa how do I know if’s a sword made by 

Mantetsu signature is well implemented and dyed 1943

 

Can you post pictures of the nakago (tang).  It's the only way to check out the mei.  Here is a pic of his mei if you want to compare:

 

I don't know why sellers keep claiming his blades are Mantetsu.  His blades often have the "W" stamp, as is seen on 5 other smiths as well as on several Mantetsu, but that is the only connection.  But it's not a connection to SMR Mantetsu.

[Swords]

On 3/29/2021 at 7:17 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Can you post pictures of the nakago (tang).  It's the only way to check out the mei.  Here is a pic of his mei if you want to compare:

 

I don't know why sellers keep claiming his blades are Mantetsu.  His blades often have the "W" stamp, as is seen on 5 other smiths as well as on several Mantetsu, but that is the only connection.  But it's not a connection to SMR Mantetsu.

Here’s pictures