Brian

Peter, Since when do we not have a chance of it being gimei? :lol: :D I would say try it. Looks like a nice blade, and if it comes back as gimei, then I can buy it at a good price :D Some other Tsuguhira (Tsugihiro?) here: http://www.nihonto.us/OMI%20NO%20KAMI%2 ... KATANA.htm http://www.satcho.com/Nihonto/Nihonto.htm Brian

Yep..I expect the blowtorch (if it is ever used, and I doubt that too) would only be used on a very fast pass or 2 just to get a minimum of heat like the boiling water. There is also the copper blocks method that withdraws the heat. But the true way is the wooden blocks that Guido mentioned, and a very keen eye. However it is all a moot point anyways...as we are not going to try it ourselves, and will leave it to the experts. This is like most of that Jackass movie stuff....don't try this at home folks. Perhaps Andrew our apprentice togishi will comment if he sees the thread (or Mr Pedersen?) Brian

He coulda made a fortune selling it on eBay. . . . . Brian

Well..the Keith Nobuhira Austin tanto found by a member recently was one. Not Juyo of course, but a really good find. I think there was a write-up on a sword in a recent JSSUS newsletter that also came from eBay, and I think there are more. But this isn't of course justification for eBay speculating, as for every one good deal there are hundreds of bad deals. But there are some out there. Barry, thank you very much for proving my point exactly. The reason there isn't (and will never be) a list of recommended sellers, is that few are totally consistent. What is a good seller for some, can be a bad experience for others. I have had a few bad comments about just about every dealer and seller. Yes, there are sellers that are more trusted than others, but who writes the guidelines as to what makes a good seller or a bad one? I have bought swords from some of the more popular sellers and wondered why certain flaws such as fukure etc slipped out of the photos shown. Sometimes shipping has been a bit high compared to what they paid. Doesn't make them a bad seller, but who is the judge? Some of the sellers with bad comments, I have had fair and honest service from. Basically this is a call that I can't make, and hence ask about a seller if you like, but you will have to make up your own mind whether to deal with them or not. If we post a list, then ultimately we become responsible for the actions of that dealer and what he does. Brian

Jeremy, I don't think the samurai would use swords for "cutting" as such. Remember they were weapons, and used for battle and to protect themselves. I guess during a campaign they would use the sword in whatever condition it was, but I expect they would have had it repaired as soon as feasible. A bend in a sword will restrict it's ability to cut as the geometry is off, and it would likely bend further. Btw..I expect any of the polishers on the links page (Moses, Bob Benson etc) would all be able to sort out a bend. Brian

Hi Jeremy, At least 4 of my out of polish blades have a slight bend or kink in them. I don't let it get to me too much, as oneday when I can afford to send them for polish, I am sure they will be straightened. I wouldn't dare try it myself, as I am scared of hagire. I don't think there is anyone in Oz that I would recommened. Straightening is a job for a serious professional as the pitfalls are fatal (for the blade) Brian

Tell Carmen that if he can positively identify fraud like this, then the best thing to do is go bid $1,000,000 on the item himself so that no-one else buys it. The seller can't give neg feedback, as he is a criminal anyways. Hope the buyer (katanluv?) isn't going to pay him for this. Brian

Oh man! I just have to post the pic for those who didn't go there and see this one. Some South East Asian fishing spear head maybe? Brian

Hi Casper, Nice to have another SA'frican on board with an interest. Please don't mistake the replies for trying to discourage you. It is just that, as a forum dedicated to the subject, we have a responsibility to give advice that is correct and suitable for everyone else reading it, and emphasizes the correct route to follow. I do understand that many buying their first sword will look for a cheaper piece, but it is only logical that the standard advice is to save up, buy books, look at good swords, and then buy something better. It is just the logical and proper advice to give. If you know that, have thought about it, maybe done some of that, and then decided you still want to purchase a cheap item at first, at least we did the responsible thing and we can proceed from there. So please don't see it as negative advice What I would advise is to get hold of me via email, and I will send you details of the new Jhb based South African Japanese Sword Society that a small group of us have just started. There you will be able to see some swords and get some hands-on experience. We can also see what is available here or elsewhere that you can pick up for a good deal. Regards, Brian

Not 100% sure of this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-sword-26-k ... 0244684379 I see it is the exact description used here: http://www.swordsmanandarcher.com/Japan ... #131093978 Different pics though. Have email the owner, but auction only has a few hours left. Be careful if you are watching this one. Brian

Guys..play nice..don't make me delete more posts C'mon now..we are getting there, let's make disagreements polite and light hearted? I know you can do it. Back to the topic, which I am sure Darcy won't mind if it diverts off to colour calibration and such... Those of you who have photoshop installed might (should?) have something in your pc control panel called Adobe gamma. As Darcy mentioned, it is not as good, but helps a lot. Check..maybe you have it. Might even be available for download? Makes a huge difference. As for me..I'm colour blind anyways...so I am pretty lost :D :lol: Brian

The forum's official position is to discourage newcommers from hitting eBay, and will always be the position. You must be prepared to lose a lot and will be conned a few times. That is not to say that most of us don't use eBay (some buy and sell...some just sell) but it is really a case of "do as I say, not as I do" Stories of finding a hidden treasure or the proverbial "sleeper" don't mention the countless bad deals and money losses. If you do eBay...don't cry when you get junk sometimes. Not much to discuss really..it is all pretty logical and well known. Brian

Hate to hijack threads, but since it's Milt's...I think it's fair :lol: http://www.justsnipe.com 5 free per week. Only way to win I have proven many times that sniping saves you money and wins auctions. I know we hate snipers, but if you are serious about winning, you have to do it. Brian

Me too Wow! Is there a colour photo anywhere? Brian

Now back to our regular programming, I have reinstated the post in the hope that someone can assist James. Thanks James for keeping calm and level headed, and to those who are trying to help. Regards, Brian

Lee, I come back after working the whole weekend to this? You are out of line. The assumption that you were blocked from anything is bull. I am the only one that can block anyone, and quite frankly you were not even on my radar to notice..never mind "block". You told me your pass wasn't working and what it was. I accessed your account, changed the pass to exactly the same thing you said it was, and you told me you could then log in? I think you either were typing it wrong, had caps lock on, your isp had dns errors, or some other randon internet bug that we see so often. I changed nothing. So please don't give me bull about you being blocked. I have only ever removed 2 people, one by request. No-one is blocked except known fraudsters. Perhaps you don't have a static ip, and your isp allocated one that was too close to a blocked one. (Unlikely) As for "cliques" or whatever...I see plenty of beginners receiving help from great individuals. We don't always check every thread every day. Sometimes someone else has made our point, so we don't reply. Sometimes the question cannot be answered by anything else than "seek shinsa" as none of us is qualified to appraise swords online. Sometimes, believe it or not, no-one has the anwer. It happens. Myself and the mods are doing a tireless job trying to make this a beter place for everyone. I am sorry if the "terribly high price" you pay for this (free) forum makes you feel despondent. Frankly, I see things improving all the time. Lots more responses, and even the "rude" posts are starting to get backed up with solid facts. Those we are working on. Do you think we sit here daily letting the forum run itself? I still know very little about Nihonto myself..so if there is a "clique" I am not in it. Some days I think the real "clique" is actually a group trying to stir up trouble by emphasising a situation that is tiny in comparisson to how many posts and members we have. Why didn't you post your requests on one of the other few dozen forums dedicated to helping newcommers with free advice? I am sure they must be out there if no-one is getting help here. The list of helpful members is too long to even begin typing here. If you choose to ignore all of those members and try and stir up some more non-constructive criticism, then I do suggest you take your requests elsewhere. Looking at the post that seems to have started your ranting and raving: viewtopic.php?t=2932 You had six pages of opinion, including very good ones from people such as Darcy and others. When some of the top guys suggest it is close enough to submit for shinsa, that is a damn good result for an online opinion. But reading your replies when you didn't get the answer you were obviously expecting, and wouldn't accept anything less...well what can I say? I urge anyone to read that entire thread again. Having just done it myself, I am surprised I didn't "block" you then. I think I will correct that immediately. Welcome to the 3rd removal of the NMB. If you want to make the forum a better place, don't be part of the problem. Brian

Absolutely wonderful as always! I shouldn't post when I have just worked a 12 hour work show and am barely able to keep my eyes open, and was going to say what a silly guess I made, but your reply came in first Darcy :D These aren't a replacement for formal kantei (as I have said many times) but obviously there must be something good about them if we get so many atari. Well done to all...even if we had to "nudge" you all to have a go The answers are always the most educational thing too....like a mini article on the smith that will remain archived for the future. I'm going to have to come up with a small prize or incentive sometime for these. Well done all, have to go pass out now. Brian

Max has emailed me a complete reason and explanation for not releasing any info that is completely valid and understandable. I would ask everyone to be patient with this one, as it is incredibly complicated and serious. Nothing worth waiting in suspense for either, so let's let this one lie for now and hopefully more can be revealed. I'll open it again if and when it is ok to do so. Thanks for your understanding. Brian

If I am going to be wrong, I may as well be totally wrong :D I am going to take a stab here and say that this might be a shinsakuto blade copying the mid Kamakura period blades. Condition is very good, and the hada looks very refined and subdued. I'm ok with being laughed at :D Brian

Hi folks, I don't want us to make this a seller bashing thread please. This was about the sword, and its description. That has been resolved for potential buyers, and I think that is sufficient.. if there is anything relevant to add, pm me, but I don't want this to get out of hand. thanks, Brian

I think the lack of responses was due to many wanting to see what they went for and maybe put in a bid without too much publicity :D This was a truly bizarre auction I think. Who would put large lots like that in one auction? Wierd! 38 pairs of fuchi/kashira? 395 menuki? 70 tsuba??? I think there were some bargains there (where was my registration confirmation email? ) and some not-so-bargains. Here are some highlights: http://auction.igavel.com/Bidding.taf?_ ... F948236383 http://auction.igavel.com/Bidding.taf?_ ... F948236383 http://auction.igavel.com/Bidding.taf?_ ... F948236383 I think 70 tsuba for $2760 was a steal! You only need to find ONE really good one in there. Ah well..expect to see some of that stuff on eBay or at the shows very soon. Who here scored a deal? I think the swords went cheap too. Brian

Just a bump for a very worthwhile exercise Can't believe so few attempts? I will have a go after the weekend when I have more than 10 minutes at the pc No shame in wrong answers folks, just a chance to learn. Brian

Nico, Afraid I deter people from getting into the price of current auctions too much lately to prevent any influencing of live auctions, so we won't get into the value too much here, but from past experience watching his auctions, his reserve is not a huge amount under market values, so I don't expect a huge bargain imho. Looks like a nice blade, but the origami is not from the NBTHK or NTHK. Don't have too much time online right now, so haven't checked the pics too closely though. Brian

Why would it be a problem? I like other forums a lot too, and you know our own forum has waaay less rules than others, so the more info that leads from this, the better for everyone. Anything that helps is fine with me. Brian