Would you buy a sword knowing that you wouldn't recoup the cost in the future?

[Gerry]

This has always been a question I ask myself especially when I'm looking at gendai blades that I really like.

 

It's always a conundrum to me when I purchase non-papered gendai blades, because there's a very likely chance that the price will go down when I try to sell them, even for non-papered Mukansa level blades.

 

 

[dkirkpatrick]

As with all antiques, you should buy what you like as you well may end up being the proud owner for a while.  If something really sings and resonates with you chances are it will with others and should still be salable down the road.  Buying purely with the idea you’ll be able to sell for same price or “worse” profit  can lead to disappointment, can’t go wrong getting things you love.

 

Doug

[Bugyotsuji]

Been there, got several t-shirts.
Can’t give a better answer than Doug. 
Buying something you love with a guaranteed built-in future profit, is a hard double-act, but you can always aim for it. If you feel able to take the hits if and when they come, even better.
Just don’t tell the wife, (until you hit a jackpot, and even then...).

[Schneeds]

Personally,  I only buy things I'm prepared to live with indefinitely.  Because you never know. Homes, cars, electronic, etc. So that's an easy answer for me

[Scogg]

I went back and forth writing a detailed response to the original question, but I decided to leave it short and sweet instead:

I simply hope for the best, but make sure I am prepared for the worst.

Cheers,
-Sam

[Hokke]

At the end of the day, ANYTHING we purchase on a daily basis outside of what is necessary for basic living is just STUFF. When it comes to stuff, if you are fiscally responsible, you need only ask two questions, which I consider a rule. Will this item bring joy into my life and can I afford it. If your answer is yes to both of those questions, IMO, then it matters not what the end value will be. 

So to answer the OP's question -  Yes, i have no problem buying a sword that I know will not maintain or appreciate in value. 

 

[lonely panet]

If you buy from a ginza shop. There is no hope 

[Robert S]

3 hours ago, Schneeds said:

Personally,  I only buy things I'm prepared to live with indefinitely.  Because you never know. Homes, cars, electronic, etc. So that's an easy answer for me

100% agree with that.  My problem is that I'm good at buying, but not at selling, so I have to be careful, especially with big ticket items like land, as once I have them, I have them :-)  With nihonto, I stick to smaller priced items that I love, and don't even consider resale.

[AlexiG]

On 2/23/2025 at 7:19 PM, Gerry said:

This has always been a question I ask myself especially when I'm looking at gendai blades that I really like.

 

It's always a conundrum to me when I purchase non-papered gendai blades, because there's a very likely chance that the price will go down when I try to sell them, even for non-papered Mukansa level blades.

 

 

My baseline expectation is that I would not recover the cost of purchase most of the time, let alone the cost of polishing if needed, saya, tsunagi, and shinsa expenses. But that has not stopped me yet from buying  I guess that is what makes me a hobbyist rather than a professional trader. Much like others have stated, I dont like selling so I buy to keep.

 

That being said, I do try to be reasonable and not sink way more than what a sword could sell for. I do shop around a lot and do try to build a good sense for the cost of a piece. After all, money does not grow on trees (in my garden at least)

 

Happy collecting,

Alexi

[Gerry]

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses, and it's very reassuring that I'm not the only person buying swords purely based on (not wanting to sound like Marie Kondo) sparking joy, ha ha.

[dimitri]

I work on impulse and with the means of my purse.

I never bought with the thought of reselling them one day.

There are just a few things that have changed since I've been on the forum and read all the posts and some that still fascinate me, I'm trying to reorient my collection. Quality over quantity, I try to have more beautiful blades to have a good basis of study and period which fascinates me the most but it always takes my favorite.

Even if I show and some are critical of the blade, for good or bad, as long as I like it, that there is a story, that's the main thing.