Tanto or Wakizashi?

[bobjim]

Hello, I have been offered a chance to get this blade, but I was wondering is it considered a tanto or wakizashi? The length is 20 inches total, and the cutting edge is 15.75 inches. Also do you think that spot up by the kissaki is a fukure? And if so do you think it can be polished out? Also can you tell me what the kanji says?

 

Thanks, aaron b.

 

Photos:

http://img294.imageshack.us/i/bsqbvlwwk ... uevn3.jpg/

http://img199.imageshack.us/i/bsq2cqegk ... sevpz.jpg/

http://img710.imageshack.us/i/bsq5wegkk ... evos3.jpg/

http://img688.imageshack.us/i/bsq97wcwk ... mevno.jpg/

http://img707.imageshack.us/i/bsqqbmkkg ... 3t453.jpg/

http://img413.imageshack.us/i/bsqlvegkk ... evcnf.jpg/

http://img691.imageshack.us/i/bsqsngcwk ... qevvu.jpg/

http://img294.imageshack.us/i/bsqbczqbw ... keevo.jpg/

http://img514.imageshack.us/i/bsqbgzwcw ... iyeuu.jpg/

http://img689.imageshack.us/i/bsqbk8wcw ... jceve.jpg/

http://img535.imageshack.us/i/bsqboegkk ... evov3.jpg/

http://img442.imageshack.us/i/bsqbr3qmk ... qevvu.jpg/

[mdiddy]

Maybe a sunnobi tanto. Still kinda long. Kanji says Yoshihiro. Needs to be appraised by someone in hand for your other questions IMO.

[Mark Green]

Aaron,

That is a Wakizashi, I would think. Or like Matt said, a very big tanto

It looks very tired, and used from the pics. I can not tell if it has hamon or not?

 

Get more, better pics. No sure if that will change much.

Mark g

[Stephen]

looks very tired, almost as tired as I

[bobjim]

Too tired to go through a polish?

[raven2]

Too tired to go through a polish?

 

Unfortunately I would have to say yes.

[reinhard]

Kanji says Yoshihiro.

 

It's MASAHIRO actually, but it doesn't really matter anymore.

 

reinhard

[Brian]

Too tired to go through a polish?

The blade....or Stephen?

Spending big money polishing worn blades doesn't make too much financial sense. I would rather save for your next upgraded sword, and keep upgrading until you are looking at papered and good blades. Now if I could just follow my own advice.....

 

Brian