Nihonto Message Board

Strider · Jo Saku Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 75

Has anyone had any dealings with an ebay seller Komonjo? They seem to offer a lot of rusty blades that thay call project pieces. It seems that all the pictures have the same color of rust and discoloration and that "the blade does not justify professional restoration " Are these fakes? Thanks, Scott

Stephen · Oyabun Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 955 Location: Des Moines

drop us a link for his auctions

pcfarrar · Sai Jo Saku Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: UK

I think he means historian333 on ebay. I've personally bought a few project blades off him. One was a gimei sukesada tanto that polished up very nicely and as far as I remember everything else I've had off him has polished ok. Pretty much all of them I've sold on or traded. Nothing really worth keeping.

sencho · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject:

That is Mike Yamaguchi.... historian 33... out of california..... I have bought from him before and have found him extremely reliable and efficient...

I have noticed some of these "project" blades as I check his web site and ebay site quite frequently.... He doesn't make any bones about it that they are rusted, poor shape, project blades for perhaps practice polishing... he is quite up front about the fact that you are paying for what you see and "Caveat Emptor" applies!! (although he does not say the Latin words!!)

I do not beleive that Mike would knowingly sell a Chinese fake or any other fake for that matter. He is not that kind of guy..... If he was even suspicious of it he would not sell it, or would state very clearly that he was suspicious!!

It still amazes me however that people will pay 100's of dollars for a rusty old peice that is not worthy of restoration

...... cheers!

Of yes... Stephen ... here is the link....www.komonjo.com .... and ebay http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfg.....FSQ3aMESOI

Stephen · Oyabun Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 955 Location: Des Moines

Yes i know mike via ebay quires hes one of the good guys, did not make the link in my mind...oldtimers ya know....also check the link for Yakibas auctions below in auction some nice stuff there.

pcfarrar · Sai Jo Saku Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: UK

The wak he's selling at $500 isn't so bad. Looks like a Bungo Takada.

sencho · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

Yep Pete,

I was looking at that too.... I love that hamon..... 6 days to go though..... may go way up..... Mikes site is getting popular...

I bought a wak from him too

http://www.superyachtlogistics.com/senchomasamitsu.htm

you can see it here if you are so inclined.... I got it for a great price (much less that 1,500) and Mike has told me that it it does not pass shinsa I will get a 100% refund..... anyway, shinsa or not, I really like this sword, so I probably won't be returning it to him.... he he he...

Cheers

Stephen · Oyabun Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 955 Location: Des Moines

Wakazashi, with a different Tsuba and new same and menuki + foil on habaki that would be a nice set. I don't mind the battle cuts at all.

Skipper the wak you got from him is very nice also.

Brian · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject:

I've bought from Mike too..known as one of the good guys. I would trust his auctions, and he does seem to get a steady flow of these "project blades" maybe out of Japan that tend to fetch high prices on eBay (by high I mean a few hundred $'s)
I have noticed a trend where lower stuff fetches higher prices on eBay, whereas better stuff goes lower. It seems everyone wants to find that diamond in the rough that no-one noticed.
He does accurately describe them, and no-one should be very disappointed at what arrives..especially with all the pics he takes.

Regards,
Brian