Ebay Auction - Fake or Not?

[Humbleshogun]

I stumbled across this ebay auction that has brought about some questions. The blade is heavily rusted and almost appears to be artificial. A original rust coating is visible below the artificial one. Was wondering what others thought about this.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... h_SO:SI:IT

[stekemest]

I don't think it's fake, it's just in really bad condition. Mike Yamaguchi is an experienced seller who, according to my experiences, can be trusted.

[kusunokimasahige]

real...

 

and very interesting!

 

dammit........ i want to bid but me no have money!

 

KM

[roninjje]

the orange color in the hi is old lacquer. It's real, and tired from the look of the hi.

[sencho]

I don't think it's fake, it's just in really bad condition. Mike Yamaguchi is an experienced seller who, according to my experiences, can be trusted.

 

100% agree... Mike is a good guy... he clearly states.."The blade is rusted, sold as is, ideal for polishing practice. "...

 

I have had nothing but excellent experiences buying from Mike.. he is honest and tells it like it is...

 

cheers!

[Humbleshogun]

Thanks for the reply and i'm glad to hear it. This was one of those maybe auctions and I thought it would be safe to double check.

 

Although the shape and taper appeared to be in line with the description, the off orange rust added some doubt.

 

Any idea how a blade can get to this condition? Overly exposed over a long time in a humid environment with no care or attention?

[Stopper37]

But why would you want it? It is $216 already and very likely to rise much more by sunday morning. Besides it is beginning of the month, I noticed people tend to willing to bid more (bloody hell, I was out bidded 3 times the past 2 days trying to get myself a yari..... sad thing is they outbid me by a merely a few dollars everytime).

 

I wouldn't be suprised if the rusty wak fetchs 400USD and you still have to pay to have it polished knowing full well some of the rust pits can be too deep to be polished out......

 

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can get a wak in OK condition for 600-800, once not too long ago I have picked up much nicer wak blade from Stephen/Larry for under 200, check pic.....

 

To practice polishing, you can use a modern katana anyway.....

 

BTW take a look at Stephen/larry's old for sale post, there might be somestuff left in lower price range.

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

This sword is legit. If you check on the seller's history you will see that all his customers are happy.

 

Max

[Stopper37]

Not questioning if it is legit, just not really worth buying and spend big bucks to polish it. Can't see any flaws neither. I guess the seller might be surprised be how much the wak can fetch himself....

[kusunokimasahige]

of course a lot of bigger collectors/dealers want this stuff since you never know wether or not there is a jewel behind the rust.......

 

so it should easily fetch 700 US$

 

KM