bone

I didn't buy it for the signature, thank goodness. And I'm not doing this to make money. I enjoy old, beautiful things. My only concern now is that the blade itself is a modern copy. If it's old then it's all good! It looks good to me but then again... *points to previous posts* Just from looking at the blade guys, does it look ok? And thanks! Steven B

Ah, I get it. So at this point the sword is just a place-holder. Thanks guys.

Thank you Grey. Very dissapointing.

Thanks Richard! On a side-note have you ever searched google for tsunagi? *chuckle* The results were less than helpful. I sure didn't bid on that one. It's sad to see one reduced to that state.

Thanks Jacques! That saved me some fruitless searching. Oh! And if anyone has any links to Sa meis I'd really appreciate it. Unfortunately you can't search this forum for a two letter word. Too bad. It's a great way to specific links.

Thank you! So there's no way it's O-Sa but it may yet be one of the 11 Sa's. Grey, can you tell me what about it makes you suspect gimei? Assuming the signature is forged, do the pictures of the blade look "real?" Thanks again! Steven B

Ah! Thanks Grey.

*dope smacks self* This should help. Can anyone tell me what the origami says? http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/ ... a/Sa36.jpg

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/boneami/Sa/ I'm trying to share the whole album. I don't yet have the sword in hand and since my reference library consists of one book, I mostly wade through the internet trying to figure it all out. Slow going. From the index I've found two smiths under that name. If it's one of them it would be the Muromachi period but I haven't found any images of one of those smiths swords for comparison yet. I'll be staying up late and getting eye strain for a while. Woot! I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying all this. Steven B

I've been told this translates to Sa. But I won't be sure until I hear it here. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/ ... a/Sa13.jpg Thanks! Steven B

Great suggestions all, Charlie. I have read the faqs and I'm working on the books. Have the Samuarai Sword Handbook. Been researching the one sword I have... *sigh* it truly is a fascinating and addicting field. But I'm having fun even as I

Thank you Ron. I do most of my hunting from the links on this site now. I do love old things so Koto always makes me itch to buy something. Glad there are sites like this to bring me back to earth. Steven B

Thanks Mark!

Please anyone, tell me why this blade looks like this? And any opnions just from the pics that it's worth buying? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:en Thanks! Steven B

Thanks Louis. Ummm, improper was pretty understated,huh? In the collecting of old things over the years I've found the saying "first do no harm" to always be relevant. Or, as a wise old man once told me, if you don't know what you're doing then for God's sake don't do it! Seriously though, is there some way to increase the contrast without having a professional polisher fix it? I'm just trying to see what's there.

Ah! Over polished is the wrong term. Thank you. It's mirror polished I guess which, as I understand it now, is improper. The few images you see that aren't glaringly bright are from the auction. As for cleaning it I use only microfibre cloth, choji and that powder in the little bag I can't remember the name of. Trying to find a knowledgeable source nearby. No luck yet. Steven Bone

Ok. I haven't done this in a few years... does this work? http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/ ... rd%20Pics/ Steven Bone

I recently purchased my second sword. There were some pics that came with the auction that showed the hamon very clearly. The sword has what seems to be an old badly done polish. It's a mirror finish though some parts are duller under what looks like a lacquer effect from old uncleaned oil. Under the light I have I can make out the hamon but it's actually brighter than the rest of the blade. (I've compared it to the auction pics. It's the same, just easier to see.) Also I can't make out a hint of hada. Under magnification I can make out bright spots on the line the hamon meets the rest of the blade. I guess my question is, is there some way to lessen the glare and bring out more detail? Thanks for all I've learned already. Steven Bone

Thanks for that John. Good learning experience. Steven Bone

I've been at this for only a couple of months. I now know enough to know that I don't know enough. (Hmmm, that made more sense in my head. Anyway...) I think it's every bit as important to be knowledgeable when you sell as when you buy. Find out everything you can before you sell. It won't cost much to wait and learn but it may cost a LOT not to. Signature added. Steven Bone

*sputter/laugh* I didn't want to say anything in case he's self-conscious. IMHO, for my case, you shall have a tough task as during my last scanner docs were unable to locate it .... And he types with a french accent.......

*eyes Jean* I haven't looked up the levels yet but I'm betting Daimyo means something like "he knows what he's talking about so shut up and listen"... or warlord. Either way it's someone I should pay attention to. *grin* Nice to see humor is acceptable cause I'm gonna have a lot of humorous questions I fear. David! Thank you for the quick response. My intrests right now are mostly centered on the sword I recently purchased. It's the second one, the first was the piece of junk I referred to earlier. Anyway I'm trying to learn all I can about the second to make purchasing the next one an even better experience. This one's signed and has been translated for me as Noshu ju ?da Kanetada. I'm trying to find out who that might be and when it's from. I'm trying to find the kanji on my own. (Of course I spent 20 minutes the other night trying to figure out what saku means so this may not be a great idea.) I'm also developing a delight in menuki but I don't really care about tsubas. Go figure. Anyway... I'm sure I'll see you guys around!

Hi all. First I want to thank the owners and caretakers of this site. Without you and the other kind people I've met so far I'd still be waiting anxiously for the latest piece of chinese junk I bought to arrive. I'm looking forward to picking all your brains! Thanks. Steven Bone