Grey Doffin

Hi Malcolm, It could be a 2 piece pressure fit (tapered male & female join) but the slot in one side suggests a 2 piece threaded join. When you apply gentle persuasion, keep in mind that it can be either a right or left hand thread. Grey

Hi Xander, Nakago and tsuba in good condition shouldn't need oiling. The black patina is protective; it guards against rust. Grey

Hi ?, If I had to guess I'd say late koto or early to mid shinto but so much is unknown. Grey

Hi, name please, If the sword has no serious problems/fatal flaws (a big if) it should be worth $750. Grey

Hi Dan, The sword, which is 100% real, is signed Yamato No Kuni Junin Nagamitsu. The paper (I believe that's what you're referring to as COA) is the license every sword in Japan needs to have. It has nothing to say about authenticity, just that it is a sword and what the signature says. This Nagamitsu is most likely not the Nagamitsu you've been reading about. The wakizashi looks to be early to mid Edo period: 17th or early 18th century. Who ever the smith was, he isn't one of the important ones. Nothing wrong with that, though; looks nice. Grey

Hi Matthew, The handle is something someone in the west put together; everything else is original Japanese. This is an older, Samurai sword, not a WWII sword. If you can take a better picture of the tang with signature (rotate the orientation a quarter turn clockwise and use a raking light so the characters stand out), someone here will be able to tell you what it says. Do not attempt to clean or fix anything (looks like someone already tried to clean around the signature, which is unfortunate); well meaning amateurs often do serious damage. Grey

Hi Dan, Send me an email: gdoffin at gmail.com and I'll reply with the English table of contents attached. Grey

Hi Nick, If the mei is right and there are no serious defects, a polish by a competent togishi is warranted, plus a paper also if you like. My 1st Nihonto, back in 1983 or 4 was a wakizashi by Mitsuhira; he did nice work. Here is the listing in Fujishiro. Grey

What I said last week when another new collector asked the same question: I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Under $1K for a Nihonto will get you something that is either low to mediocre quality or a blade with serious problems. When the time comes to sell and move up, you'll have trouble recouping the investment. Double the investment and take the time while you're raising it to study. You'll know more, which will allow you to buy something worthy and pleasing to own. Grey

Yes; Goo Gone. Find it at any hardware store. Grey

Thank you, Grey

Hi guys, Can anyone tell me who has signed this sayagaki and who he is? Thanks, Grey

Hi Thomas, Yes; a legitimate sword and it looks like you have it reassembled correctly (unless the seppa (washers) are on in the wrong order, in which case I'm sure someone who knows these swords better than I do will point out). The red paint are likely numbers to help keep the parts together and they will tell you nothing about the sword's history. Grey

Hi John, All you need is white, unscented facial tissue for applying oil and micro fiber cloth for removing it. The kits contain uchiko puffs but those have fallen out of favor. Grey

Hi Sasch, I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Under $1K for a Nihonto will get you something that is either low to mediocre quality or a blade with serious problems. When the time comes to sell and move up, you'll have trouble recouping the investment. Double the investment and take the time while you're raising it to study. You'll know more, which will allow you to buy something worthy and pleasing to own. Grey