Possible nihonto identification

[Muaythaimals]

Hello. I am new to this site but I am seeking some info on a recent purchase of a katana I believe is a nihonto. The nakago is not signed which I know doesn’t help at all. But I know not all nihonto were signed. I have good feelings about it. I’ll attach some photos and possibly a video. If anyone can help me determine its age/worth and origin that would be fantastic. Thank you. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Malachi,

Definitely a real Nihonto, possibly Edo period sometime, and anything else would be just a wild guess.

Grey

[ckaiserca]

Real Nihonto, but it has active red rust. You need to make sure you apply a good oil to help stop further damage. Do not do anything else to try and clean the blade. This is a project for professionals only. 
 

I use 100% Tsubaki oil for my swords. This is easily found on Amazon. Note that some Tsubaki oil offers come with something called a “Rust Eraser.” Under no circumstances should you use this on a Japanese sword!

[Muaythaimals]

6 hours ago, Grey Doffin said:

Hi Malachi,

Definitely a real Nihonto, possibly Edo period sometime, and anything else would be just a wild guess.

Grey

Thank you very much! I asked a few buddies of mine and they were saying the same thing. This was an offerup purchase for $80!! I guess the guy didn’t know what he had. 

[Muaythaimals]

47 minutes ago, ckaiserca said:

Real Nihonto, but it has active red rust. You need to make sure you apply a good oil to help stop further damage. Do not do anything else to try and clean the blade. This is a project for professionals only. 
 

I use 100% Tsubaki oil for my swords. This is easily found on Amazon. Note that some Tsubaki oil offers come with something called a “Rust Eraser.” Under no circumstances should you use this on a Japanese sword!

Thank you for that. I was thinking of just purchasing an entire kit from amazon. What is the difference between the tsubaki oil and choji oil?

[Franco D]

5 hours ago, Muaythaimals said:

I was thinking of just purchasing an entire kit from amazon.

 

Please take the time to read the numerous sword care posts with links on this website. 

Beware that many sword kits come with uchiko. Uchiko can and will leave scratches (hike) behind. 

I've been purchasing and using sword oil from Bushido swords in Hawaii for decades without issue. 

It appears that the nakago on this sword may have been cleaned at some point adding to the challenge of correctly dating this sword.

 

Regards

 

 

 

[ckaiserca]

23 hours ago, Muaythaimals said:

Thank you for that. I was thinking of just purchasing an entire kit from amazon. What is the difference between the tsubaki oil and choji oil?

Choji oil is really just mineral oil with a bit of clove scent added to it. Tsubaki oil is camilla oil. A good quality mineral oil such as what you can buy at just about any pharmacy will work too. There is nothing that you can do yourself about the rust. That is something that this group strongly advises is done by a fully qualified sword polisher. A sword care kit will have uchiko powder in it. This really wont do anything to remove active rust, and can damage the sword further. It is strongly recommended that its use be avoided. 

[Muaythaimals]

9 hours ago, ckaiserca said:

Choji oil is really just mineral oil with a bit of clove scent added to it. Tsubaki oil is camilla oil. A good quality mineral oil such as what you can buy at just about any pharmacy will work too. There is nothing that you can do yourself about the rust. That is something that this group strongly advises is done by a fully qualified sword polisher. A sword care kit will have uchiko powder in it. This really wont do anything to remove active rust, and can damage the sword further. It is strongly recommended that its use be avoided. 

I see thank you for that I would not have known the difference. Ill start looking into somw tsubaki oil. I do in the future want to send it to someone to have it polished. Any recommendations for a good polisher. Preferably in the US? 

[ROKUJURO]

Do not mix that up: TSUBAKI oil is CAMELLIA oil. Camilla is the English queen. 

[ckaiserca]

14 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Do not mix that up: TSUBAKI oil is CAMELLIA oil. Camilla is the English queen. 

Typing on an iPhone isn’t ideal.

[Muaythaimals]

Hello hope everyone is well. A little update on this sword. I spoke with Mike Yamasaki through email and he says from the pics it appears to be from the 1500s which definitely shocked me. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to take care of and own this sword. So I will most likely be selling it. Can anyone here give me a ballpark estimate on how much I could sell this nihonto in its current condition? Any input helps. Thank you