Sporkkaji

I found this small picture online but there was no information about it other than it being a very old tachi. Wondering if anyone has any insights?

I believe most museums, at least those which don't specialize in Nihonto displays but still have weapon collections use Renaissance Wax to protect them because it is so long lasting and low maintenance. I couldn't see most museum staff religiously oiling their swords like a serious private collector. Personally every six months I reapply the highest grade gun oil I'm aware of, Wilson Combat Ultima Lube in the lightest viscosity they offer. Definitely never any off the shelf Wal-Mart stuff.

If the seller had a little more Ebay savvy I think we would have had a lot more competition. He didn't have the word "Japanese" in the listing title so anyone with a search notification for "Japanese Sword" wouldn't have received an email. Also he had it ending on a Wednesday at 12:15 PM when folks are at work, a smart seller will time his listing to end on a Sat/Sun evening when more people are at home with their eyes on their computers. Interestingly one entire side of the blade is much more refined than the other with a somewhat visible hamon, yokote line etc. while the opposite side is more rough and scratched. Maybe as if a polish was started but never finished? I'll likely be listing the Seki blade this weekend, feel free to have at it.

Found one more example. I just received the two blades that I recently inquired about in this thread http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20489-need-help-with-two-blades/#and upon inspection I saw that the 'Tenshin' blade has W-stamps on both sides of the nakago. I was about to ask about them when I noticed that the topic had already been brought up.

Thanks, I'll update if I notice anything interesting once I'm able to inspect it.

Hi, first name is Cory. Thanks to everyone for the info so far. I don't have them in hand yet so all I have are the photos from the listing. Here's one more if it might help.

I haven't been bitten by the Ebay bug for a long time now but I came across this listing for two bare out of polish blades found by the seller in a storage auction and I decided to grab them ($530 shipped). One of them looks to be a run of the mill gunto with a chippy mei and Seki stamp, but it's the other one that caught my eye as it's clearly never been mounted. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on how unique it might be to find a blade with no mekugi ana? I'm guessing it probably wouldn't have been signed if there was a defect of some sort and the war may have ended before it was completed? Any translation/date assistance or other relevant information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Now that's what I call a Pepsi challenge! Awesome test, thanks for going through all that trouble to post this. I have limited experience with most of the listed products but I would definitely give a thumbs down to Rem Oil, and I've been told to stay away from WD-40 because it actually contains an abrasive. Personally I am very impressed with Wilson Combat's Ultima-Lube. Since Wilson arguably makes the world's best custom handguns I tried using their oil on my blades and have been very happy with it. It comes in several viscosities ranging from extra light oil to grease and I have found the standard oil is my favorite.

Having had experience with both, I strongly recommend that you go with the latter.

Did someone add that to try and increase the sale price, or is it original to the blade? http://www.ebay.com/itm/321296838724

Do you drive a Ferrari?

I have a star stamped Kanehisa in the second type - unlacquered ito, metal saya. Blade is dated May '45, so maybe they were using any koshirae they could get at that point? Not a Showa-to at least.

This is only the second copper handle I've seen on Ebay in the last four years or so. Machine made or not, it's a difficult spot to fill in a collection.

The mei looks nicely cut, hope it wasn't anything too special. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251373139343

I bought a blade from him once and the condition was misrepresented as confirmed by more knowledgeable people on this forum. He also has a reputation for doctoring up the items he sells and using acid to enhance his blades. There's an old thread on this board somewhere. Be wary.