Real or fake?

[aabderson]

Hey all. Just wanted to get your thoughts on the authenticity of these blades before I buy. You can never be too careful.these days. In my opinion, I think the wakizashi is real but I’m not sure about the katana. What do you guys think? 

[aabderson]

[ROKUJURO]

Alex,

the photos are not sufficient for an evaluation. I cannot comment on the KATANA because I would need good photos with details. Anyhow, it could be an older blade (= older than 100 years).

I like the WAKIZASHI blade which seems to be in NAGINATA NAOSHI style - not saying it is one.

The TSUBA (orientation is wrong) seems to be cast, so no collecting value.

Generally, photos should be:
 

- well focused, not foggy or blurry
- made with a dark, non reflective background for good contrast
- made with light from the side (may not apply for HAMON photos)
- made from directly above (not at an angle)
- made with correct orientation (vertically tip-upwards, especially NAKAGO photos and TSUBA) 
- without HABAKI but showing the MACHI and NAKAGO JIRI 
- made in high resolution to see details
- showing details (magnification) like BOSHI, HAMACHI, HAMON, HADA, NAKAGO JIRI etc. or the fine work on TSUBA
- presented as cut-outs so very little background is shown
 

If you cannot supply good photos (..."these photos are all I have from the dealer...."/..."I do not have a good camera but only an old mobile phone...." ), DO NOT POST BAD ONES. They will not be helpful.

[Rivkin]

They are both real, unless a smartphone somehow learned to capture ghosts. Katana needs nakago picture, preferably boshi as well.

Wakizashi looks like a remade naginata and sugata wise it has potential. Need good pictures.

[Bruce Pennington]

I have doubts about the first sword.  Closer, more clear photos are needed.