A tanto followed me home

Brian · February 5

Odd how things work out sometimes.
Spent 2 days at the Vegas Japanese sword show, and knew my budget wouldn't allow any purchases. So resigned myself to this being a trip without any purchases, was ok with that. Lots of good stuff, but I don't have thousands to spend.
So did SHOT Show, Antique Arms Show, Japanese Sword Show and loved every minute. But aside from one or 2 cheap knives for the other collection, didn't buy anything.
We then head off to New Orleans to see what it's like. Interesting and very cool city. Sword and weapon stuff is over....time for some R&R.
Lying in bed one evening, something makes me open Craig's List New Orleans just for fun. I search Japanese sword, and up pops a single advert for a tanto. At $400.
Bit out of polish, mumei, few stains and scratches...but looks real and ok.
So out of interest, I mail the guy. Next morning he responds. He's a few miles outside the French Quarter where we are. I'm still not seriously asking, but I continue the discussion back and forth. He wants to meet in a safe place, but I don't feel like spending a lot more Uber money as I'm already 5 times what I planned to spend.
One thing myself and Nix hadn't crossed off the NOLA list yet was to go to a bar, have a drink, and listen to some music.
Oddly, the guy mentions that he's helping a buddy out and playing drums at a gig in the French Quarter that night at a bar. Hmmm....2 birds, one stone?
So we meet him at the bar later that afternoon, have a drink each, listen to a few good songs by his buddy's band.....and buy a tanto. Lol.
He got it years ago from a bunch of estate stuff, and had no interest. Was glad it went to someone who would appreciate it.
Nothing fancy. But still in decent polish. Some nice hamon activity. Stains are smooth, no active rust. Nice shape. I can't kantei it, but I'm figuring maybe Shinshinto from the nakago. Nagasa of 227mm, still 8mm thick and healthy. No openings.
Oddly, it once had kogai and kozuka. I'll fit it with some. I'll replace the kurikata that is broken, I have the replacements. Little bit of careful uchiko work (ONLY on out of polish blades please) will make it looka bit better.
I'm pleased with it, and at $400 (plus $30 for 2 drinks) I think I got a decent deal. And I came home with a nice souvenir.

DTM72 · February 5

Good deal! Easily worth $400.

GeorgeLuucas · February 5

$30 for two drinks is a terrible deal! :laughing:

Jokes aside, it looks really nice! Sounds like it was meant to be yours. Funny how items find us sometimes.

All the best,

-Sam

Stephen · February 5

SCORE!!

Mark · February 5

nice to see a "good guy" get a good deal. nice seeing you both

Winchester · February 5

Congrats, Brian and what a story and memento from your trip!!!

What are the odds, right? Cool.

Michaelr · February 5

Glad you came home with something, and a deal at that. Congratulations

MikeR

IslandBoy · February 5

Congratulations on your purchase and story. Sounds like the tanto choose you.

IslandBoy · February 5

What are people's thoughts about replacing a broken Kurikata like on this Tanto? Or leave it in the original condition?

Mark S. · February 5

Nope, nope, nope… this just won’t do. Between the chances of some N.O. Voodoo attached to the blade and being taken for drinks, I’ll have to insist you send it to me at a fraction of the price to keep you safe from further harm. :thumbsup: I’m assuming you are home?… did you get your beignets on the Mississippi?

Brian · February 6

6 hours ago, IslandBoy said:

What are people's thoughts about replacing a broken Kurikata like on this Tanto? Or leave it in the original condition?

Damage is damage. No point in preserving damage for no reason. Repair like that would be fairly standard and recommended if done well.

Mister Gunto · February 6

Nice find, and now it'll always have a cool story to go with it.

The Blacksmith · February 6

Congratulations Brian, nice find, though I am still smarting at $30 for the two drinks! :blink: I thought Norway was expensive! But the tanto (should this really be termed an aikuchi ?), is a really nice find. It will be fun restoring the bits that need it, and will be very interesting to see when you have finished. Please post it when ytou have done it.

Nice find, well done. :clap:

The Blacksmith · February 6

7 hours ago, IslandBoy said:

What are people's thoughts about replacing a broken Kurikata like on this Tanto? Or leave it in the original condition?

I personally, would most definitely repair it, and have done so in the past on a couple of wakizashi that I have had that had suffered similar damage. A fairly common occurrance unfortunately. If it is within your skill set, then fine, otherwise leave well alone I think is the rule. Everybody of course has their own parameters of what is desirable/acceptable. This could be done and be totally invisible when finished, so why not.

Brian · February 6

2 hours ago, The Blacksmith said:

Congratulations Brian, nice find, though I am still smarting at $30 for the two drinks! I thought Norway was expensive! But the tanto (should this really be termed an aikuchi ?), is a really nice find. It will be fun restoring the bits that need it, and will be very interesting to see when you have finished. Please post it when ytou have done it.

Nice find, well done.

Oops...I forgot the tax (WHY is USA one of the few to display prices excluding tax????) and the obligatory barkeeper tip.
So make that closer to $40 for the 2 drinks :laughing:
And those drinks were considered cheap. Prices in the USA are next level now. Every 711/Walgreens/CVS trip for a few soft drinks and maybe a snack seemed to cost no less than $25 every time I entered the store. I think I spent about 3 times my budget.

Bugyotsuji · February 6

40 minutes ago, Brian said:

Oops...I forgot the tax (WHY is USA one of the few to display prices excluding tax????) and the obligatory barkeeper tip.
So make that closer to $40 for the 2 drinks
And those drinks were considered cheap. Prices in the USA are next level now. Every 711/Walgreens/CVS trip for a few soft drinks and maybe a snack seemed to cost no less than $25 every time I entered the store. I think I spent about 3 times my budget.

Superb serendipity! Great story. Can you fly it back in your check-ins?

You need a trip to Japan to redress the balance. Some things are still incredibly cheap here!

The Blacksmith · February 6

15 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

You need a trip to Japan to redress the balance. Some things are still incredibly cheap here!

Yes, but the added expenditure on antiques and associated items doesn't bear thinking about! :roll: I couldn't imaginw walking round an antiques market or Sunday market in Japan!

Incidentaly, I understand that swords are licensed in Japan, does one have a collectors license, or is each blade individually licensed?

Bugyotsuji · February 6

Each blade is individually registered, and the registration paperwork stays with the blade, plus, within 20 days you are supposed to send in a written declaration that you are the new owner.

PS I was thinking more about the prices of food and drink.

Shuko · February 6

I wish a few nice tanto would follow me home ..........

Good buy Brian.

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