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Sorry to read 900 dollars was spent on this sword, it is junk indeed. I am quite new to Nihonto and when I started I had no clue what I was looking at and thought blades like these could be the real thing. But buying a few books and taking every opportunity to look at good blades makes you learn at least the basics to see swords like these are not even close to the real thing.

I agree with David, looks Showato.

Congratulatiojs Steve! A very nice sword.

Agree with Jacques, on really tired swords (polished many times through hundreds of years) it is clearly visible that the hamon is either gone or almost gone, perhaps not all tired blades but I have seen a few where the hamon is practicably gone. Also when a sword get's burned the hamon can vanish.

Thank you Morita San for this clear explanation / photo. Makes learning a little easier.

Welcome to the forum Marty, you will enjoy!

Part two:

Thank you all for contributing, I appreciate it. I really hope I will be able in the future to read Kanji mysel. I am glad this forum is helpful, makes studying easier and keeps us newbies motivated. Here are a few photo's made outside: Not very good photo's but it does show where the damage is.

Part 2:

I agree Martin, I have made some more photo's but have to apologize that these again are not the best. As soon as the weather get's better (should be from today on) I will make photo's outside and post them:

Thank you very much Morita-san and Martin. It is somewhat sad to read this is a rare sword as the sword has been badly damaged as mentioned. Franco, it could indeed be the same guy,he should stick to cars though I will try to make more photo's of the blade and the Mei, I am not a good photographer but I will try to get more clear shots later on today.

A little bit about the background of this blade: The blade is not mine but belongs to a friend. The blade has been badly mistreated by it's previous owner who thought he had to straighten the blade by using a blow torch and a hammer....result is loss of about 3 CM Hamon and a Hagire. As can be seen on the photo's the Mei is partly faded so I was wondering if anyone could make something of it. The blade is not in polish but if wanted I could still make photo's of the Kissaki and the rest of the blade.The blade is rendered worthless but knowing the smith might get me further in my research. Some of the photo's are the same but I tried several ways to get the Mei as good as possible on the photo's. Thanks.

Thank you all for the welcome information. I would love to believe 4500 dollars but that does not make much sense. Very interesting Gentlemen!

Thomas, these Plum Blossom "Menuki" were standard on that type of dagger right? I know that he late war ones did not have the Menuki's (you thought me:)) so this would be standard right?

I think better photo's are needed. Must have been very interesting to have done the Okinawa tour.

Thanks for the tip Brian. Most of my books are on Antique blades, I only own John Slough's book. Which one are you referring to Thomas? Nice to see you here as well

Thanks Richard, As far as my research got me so far is that it indeed looks to be quite a standard WWII Dirk, it seems to be missing it's star menuki's end the scabbard is made of wood while I have seen examples where it looks to be some kind of "leather". I have seen prices here on the forum of 225 but also seen prices over the 500 so am not sure what a dagger like this normally does. It being quite standard I would think not to much.

This not being my field of expertise I would like to ask if this dagger is original and if so what it is worth? It belongs to a good friend of mine and these are the only photo's I have for now. Thanks.

It reminds me of a Japanese medal I had in my collection once. The medal in my post is not the one I owned. The order of the Rising Sun, 7th Class (Kyokujitsu-shō): But but the medal is kiri mon.

Very nice Kozuka!

Fully agree, having learned it the hard way

Happy new year to you and all members here on NMB!!

I would definitely go for shirasaya, would be such a shame if the blade would get damaged after the polish due to the old saya.

Hello Jimmy, what a small world we live in. I was on the phone with Ron last week as he made shirasaya for my katana and he told me about you. Very nice work!

Thanks very much Chris.