shingen

Thanks all for your help, appreciate it. Will save the photos as compare material. As Brian mentioned it is back to the study board for me. Thanks for the link Jean I will make sure I will read and observe it carefully. I also bought two books today to help me out which I found in the topic here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8341 I ordered The Craft of the Japanese Sword and The Facts and Fundamentals of the Japanese Sword. Together with the 2 books I have I should have a place to start. It will definitely take a long time before I am confident enough to find and buy a true Nihonto, but it's well worth it. I hope it is OK if I ask some questions so now and then.

On my quest for knowledge I came across the swords below. Now I can't yet determine myself if they are good or not so I though to start with examining the Mei. These look a bit close to the surface (not very deep) so that could indicate fake as I understood. Could anyone help me with a translation: Sword 01: Sword 02: Sword 03: Sword 04: If it turns out to be interesting I have photo's of all the parts of these Swords. I can post them in the ebay section if anyone interested in hot they look. Thanks. Rick

Thanks for the help Jean, the seller wants at least 400 dollars for it. So that is quite a difference, I guess I will leave it at the seller for now until I get better photo's. But still hope to get the photo's so I can learn from then. If I get the photo's I will post them here.

To be very honest I am beginning to have my doubts about this seller but we will see if I get the requested photo's.

Your right Brian, I understand that better pictures are needed, should of asked for those in the first place. The photo with the blade on it does not really show anything. I have asked for better photo's. Hope I can learn as much as possible out of my topic here Eventually buying it or not.

Thanks, will ask for additional photo's first then.

I came across this wakizashi and was wondering if this is a good one and what it Approx. would be worth. I already had contact with the seller but before I continue the contact I would like to ask if this is a good or bad one. I know the photo's are terrible but it's the only ones I have at the moment. I will ask for better ones if this wakizashi could be a good one. Is there anything that could be said about this wakizashi? I have no knowledge yet to make my own decisions. The seller says that the Kozuka is not part of the sale.

Thanks for the tip Brian and Jamie, am here to learn as much a I can so will have a look at the topic you mentioned.

The below Katana has been offered to me: It's been offered for not a bad price. But as I am still learning how to distinguish these from the Chinese copies (that get better everyday, even the aging look) I would really appreciate all help. I am quite new to this so really don't want to buy anything in a hurry. Cheers, Rick

Well hereby my little introduction, I am Rick from the Netherlands, I am 27 an just bought my first Katana. I thought it be a good idea to read as much as I can so registered here, hearing this is a very good forum. I have always been fascinated by Katana's but always saw them as not affordable so never really bothered looking for one. Hopefully this will change in the future. I am also very interested in WWII Katana's as I collect WWII items as well. Looking forward to read up and meet the people here! Cheers, Rick