Buying first nihinto

[MissScratch]

Hi there! Im considering purchasing one of these Nihonto blades but would very much appreciate some feedback on them before i put out the money. 
 

Attaching photos of 3 blades, 2 of which are supposedly "signed" and the other one is a Mumei.
 

Many thanks in advance! 

[Franco D]

Hello,

 

Much more detail would be helpful?

What are your objectives for buying a Japanese sword.

A place to begin might be asking for mei translations and opinions on their validity in the translation assistance forum.

 

Regards

 

[MissScratch]

Hi there! Primary objective is to own a "good quality" Japanese Sword. I just dont want to spend money on something that is a fake or poor quality..

[Franco D]

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45691-need-expertise-and-advise-please/?do=findComment&comment=473503

 

Edited August 18 by Franco D

[MissScratch]

Hi, Franco D! Afraid the pdf you posted cannot be found!

[Franco D]

Hi, that PDF article is already posted on this forum. I'm going to try to find and link it here.

 

See previous post for link to article.

 

Budget?

How old?

Tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto?

Signed, dated?

Tradition? School? 

Papered?

Polished?

 

 

[Rivkin]

Personally nothing strikes me here as good/outstanding, mei cut is a bit unusual, shinto pieces, though its just a first impression. Unfortunately, the closest sword show is quite a few months away... I would say look at aoi art and a few other beginner friends sites and see if there is something you like. Fishing among out-of-polish blades is a fun sport but not for beginners.

[Franco D]

37 minutes ago, Rivkin said:

Fishing among out-of-polish blades is a fun sport but not for beginners.

 

As I look at these swords I'm reminded of something that all beginners should be made aware of which is that there are events called shinsa/judgments held periodically in the US. . In these shinsa swords can pass or fail becoming certified/papered. In days past the failure rate often hovers above 50% of swords submitted. Swords can fail for any number of reasons including false signature and or condition. So, what happens to all these failed swords? Unfortunately, many find their way back into circulation.  

 

 

[Brian]

Dead straight, almost no sori. Hmmm. Not a really appealing sugata unless you are talking Heian. Maybe made for a sword cane mounting.
Unless very very cheap I would pass on that one.

[Cola]

In all pictures the swords seem very out of polish, so it's hard to see the beauty or the flaws. Having a sword properly polished is very expensive; possibly more expensive than these swords.

I would pass on these.