robsawitski

Hi Mark. Thanks for the offer. However, I think I may have already showed this to you. My wife's aunt and I drove to Toledo about two weeks ago to meet someone named mark in the parking lot of the antique mall to show them the sword. Was that you?

Hi All, Does anyone know of a good collector in the Detroit area that might be willing to take a look at a nihonto for me. About half the people online say the nihonto I recently bought has a newer gunto blade, the other half say it's an older edo blade. I know pics only take you so far. So if you know of someone reliable in the Detroit, Michigan area, I'd like to take this nihonto to them for a look and an opinion.

Thanks. I've read Yumato's book (after I bought the sword...). I'll pick up the others and give them a read. Thanks again.

Would you suggest a good first book.

Hello all, I'm a newbee to Nihonto Message Board and to Japanese swords. I've been a martial arts/ samurai movie/Japanese history buff since I was a kid (30+ years ago). This is the first time I've actually bought one, which if you've read my post under Military Swords (Is this an old samurai blade or a WWII blade?) you'll know that I got a dud (my goal was to get a real samurai blade and have it restored for a family heirloom). Anyway, I think I've gotten the sword bug bad. I've always been facinated by them and have even study their use a bit in iaido classes. This WWII sword won't be my last. I appreciate the help that you all have given with identifying my sword. It has been a huge help and has saved my $3,000 that I was ready to spend to restore the blade. Could anyone suggest a good book to start learning about Japanese swords. I'd appreciate the advise, I see that I have a lot to learn. Best Wishes, Rob Sawitski (Detroit-Metro Area, Michigan, USA)

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I can just count this as tuition for learning about something new. My gut said to hold off, but I just wanted to believe the story of the restoration guy, i.e. the blade is late-Edo period.

Thanks for the feedback. I have to admit it's a bit disappointing, but better to hear the truth before spending a lot of money. Now, can I ask what you think it might sell for on eBay. I spent $600 for it. Is it unreasonable to think I'd get the same for it - at least break even (less shipping)?

OK. I got out the instruction manual on my camera and tried to take some better pics of the sword. If you would, please take a look and let me know your thoughts. Like I said, I'd love to restore it if I can verify that it's an old blade. Thanks again for the help.

The very tip (maybe 1/4 mm) is broken off.

I'll try and take some other photos and post them tomorrow. Any suggestions on what I should photograph? I think I can save these in a slightly high compression ratio as well.

Hello. This is my first post so please forgive me if I messed up any protocals. I was referred here by some one trying to help me with a problem. I'd be get to get your thoughts on the following: I recently bought a sword from my wife's aunt. She got it from the wife of a WWII soldier as payment for helping to organize a downsizing garage sale. I tried to do a bit of research before I bought it, but all I learned was that some military collectors know slightly more than I do about Japanese swords, i.e. not much. I have always wanted to own a real samurai sword, so my heart was really into figuring out what this sword was worth so I could buy it from her. I spoke to one person who restores Japanese swords. He said he couldn't be sure, but from the pictures I sent it looked like the blade was made in the late 1700s. The fittings he told me were very poor quality, but definitely made during WWII. I spoke to and showed two WWII military collectors. One said the same thing as the sword restorer. The other said it was definetly a machine made blade produced after WWII. Taking the best-two-out-of-three approach, my wife's aunt and I agreed it was an old blade in newer (gunto) fittings. So I bought it from her for the fair amount one military collector suggested. I'd love to have this blade restored. I know it'll cost several thousand dollars to do it. I'm ok with that as I'd like to do this to have a family heirloom to pass down to my kids. I've been involved in martial arts for years and I got my kids involved when they were teens. I'd be something they would all appreciate having in the family - something to fight over when I'm dead. Problem is that I'm not convinced the blade is old (i.e. 200+ years). Would it be possible for you to look at the attached pictures and let me know your opinion on the sword. The pictures are not the best in the world, but they were the best I could produce with my 7.1 megapixel camera and indoor lighting. Thanks in advance for your time and your advise. Best wishes, Rob Sawitski