Militaria show - Hands on experience

[ehk]

This Sunday I am visitting the Militaria Show in Ciney Belgium (biggest militaria show in europe) together with a friend of mine. I have never been there but hear lots and lots about it.

 

I am not visitting this show to buy Japanese swords but while I am there I thought it might be a great oppurtunity to start and get some needed hands on experience. (I only have books being a beginner) Could you lads give me some advice on how to get a bit of expereince/learning if I do come across Japanese swords?

 

Thanks!

[Stephen]

intersting, let us know whats there, via cell phone.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Rick,

Ask questions; you'll get experience and learning. Spend a bit of money; you'll still get experience and learning. Spend a lot of money; you may get too much of the wrong kind of experience and a painful learning.

Grey

[loui]

Stephen came up with a very good idea that I have done before, if I know someone going to a show they will send pics of blades and signatures via phone or other media, allows them to get a good idea of the authenticity and price.

 

louis

[ehk]

Thanks Stephen, Grey and Louis,

 

I will have to get a bit creative with making photo's as I don't have a cellphone with a camera. (company I work for forbids them) But the friend I am traveling with most likely will have one that I can borrow. Will take a camera as well.

 

I already heard from a NMB member that usually on this show there are dealers that sell Nihonto. So am looking forward to have a look at them.

[ehk]

The military show was really worth going to. It is to bad I did not get the time to make photo's of the Japanese swords I saw. The show was to massive and there was just not enough time. There were Nihonto sellers there (swords over 18.000 dollars ) and of course some evilbay sword sellers as well. All in all a valuable experience even tough as a beginner you feel very uneasy looking at a sword. You want to determine for yourself if it is good or not, or trying to see things in the blade while knowing very well that you will not be able to do this for another 2 years or so.

 

I had a few talks with the Nihonto sellers and that was really good, it keeps you motivated, they even let me hold a sword (I did learn the basic etiquette of holding and passing a sword, that helped ) Also I ran into the chairman of the Dutch To-Ken society there (I applied for becoming a member of the club/society few weeks ago) and I am not a member yet (the still need to decide if I can join) but he invited me to the next society meeting.

 

So it was a valuable trip!

[John A Stuart]

That's what it's all about. Lucky you. John