Is this a fatal flaw?

[Drago]

Hi,

 

I found this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/320852685726

 

Take a look at all the pictures showing the tip. Is this considered a fatal flaw?

 

Thanks.

[IchiNi]

regrettably, it is

[Surfson]

Even if the "munegiri" is not fatal, which I agree it is, all of the other flaws put the blade in the ICU if not the morgue.

[sanjuro]

Very much a fatal flaw I'm afraid. Read as 'terminal'. This blade also has a few? other problems many of which are forging flaws, despite the fact that the seller describes it as in good condition and solid.

[djealas]

$565! I suppose its worth it if you just want to study the flaws, certainly an excellent example of what not to buy. Thanks for posting it, the pictures are worth keeping.

[sanjuro]

There is nothing but nothing, to study in a flawed blade, unless it belongs to someone else. Buying a flawed blade is like taking up residence in a mosquito swamp so that you can experience the effects of Malaria! :D You may discover a great truth, but it will cost you........... big time! :lol:

[runagmc]

Buying a seriously flawed blade is one thing, and almost always a bad idea unless you can get it for almost nothing, and even then it's not recommendable. But learning everything you can from every sword you see, flawed or not, is another. When people say you can't learn from a flawed blade under any circumstance it makes it sound like a genuine Masamune with a hagire wouldn't even be worth looking at! Just because a blade has a flaw doesn't mean it can't also have some characteristics worth studying. Even severe flaws are worth studying, but as Keith said, they're not worth buying. So, to sum up fatally flawed blades: worth studying, not worth collecting