Grey Doffin

Thanks Brian, I'm in. Grey

I am unable to log in using my name and the password I've had for years. I think I'm able to post this because I created a new account as Icant Getin. I have run into so many dead ends; so very frustrating. The procedures necessary to accomplish just this simple post were so needlessly complicated. Mark Jones has the same problem. Can anyone set me straight? If you send an email to grey at japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com I'll be sure to see it. Thanks, Grey Doffin

Hi Kubur, The Art of the Japanese Sword by Kaap & Yoshihara is very good at telling you, with tons of pictures, how Nihonto are made, polished, and mounted. Out of stock on my site but you should be able to find a copy someplace. https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b964-art-Japanese-sword-kapp-%26-yoshihara Grey

Hi Adam, I don't currently have a copy to offer but I am in the Nihonto book business and I've been told by customers in the UK that there is no import duty on books. Are you sure you have that right? Grey

Hi Niall, You would be doing yourself a huge favor if you didn't get either sword polished now. If you decide to study and collect Japanese swords and if one or the other of these swords is deemed worthy of the time and expense of polish and if at that point you decide that this is the sword you want to make the effort on, then have it polished. Right now you don't know enough to make an informed decision. Take some time to learn before you start throwing money at a project that might not make sense. Polish does nothing to preserve the sword; a light coat of oil does that. Go slow Grasshopper. Here is a care and handling brochure you should read: http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php Best, Grey

What Mark said. Grey

Hi Andrew, Unless something about the last owner is written on the tang (nakago), which would be highly unusual, there will be no way to identify the last owner. If you don't want to keep the sword you should research the reasonable retail value and sell it to someone who will appreciate and care for it. Grey

Hi, name please, Here is a short paper on care and maintenance that will show you how to properly handle and protect your sword. http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php Nothing has to be done to your sword now; it will be fine if left alone with maybe just a fine coat of oil (as explained in the paper). I don't think you want to go to the expense of a polish unless you plan to become a collector of Japanese swords or, at the very least, until you have learned more about the sword and know how to care for the polish so it isn't messed up shortly after you've paid for it. You should be looking for someone knowledgeable and honest who can see the sword in hand and tell you more about it and please stay from polishers who don't have the proper training (99% of those in the US who claim to know how to polish Japanese swords). Grey

Hi Adam, I'll start off with the horimono. Given the odd placement on just one side of the blade I would guess that it was added to a sword with serious defects to disguise. And I don't agree with the description, "done quite reasonably well". It leaves a lot to be desired. Grey

Hi Alex, You would be very smart if you didn't try to fix anything. Nothing about this sword needs to be dealt with now, and any future work should be done by someone with proper training. Well meaning amateurs have done serious damage to their swords and, since your sword may be important, you don't want to be one of them. Leave it alone, please. Grey ps. And for all of you who are quick to give do it yourself restoration advise to those who come here with a sword they know next to nothing about: please stop.

Hi guys, It has just been announced that the show, end of July beginning of August, will happen (unless the State of California shuts down again). Here is the notice: http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm Curious: how many of us are planning to attend? Thanks, Grey

Hi Mark, To add to what Ken has said, shortening was very common. If the sword was made in Koto (old sword, pre 17th century) time, odds are pretty good that it is now shorter than it used to be. This was done because of changes in fighting styles and personal preference, as well as to conform to the regulations Ken mentions. Swords sometimes were shortened to hide defects; a ha-giri close above the machi would disappear into a new nakago if the blade was shortened. Damage in battle usually affected the other end of the sword and was less likely to be the impetus for shortening. Grey

Hi Mark, The new nakago/old polished portion may be annealed (unhardened), new yasurime (file marks) are added, and the area is either allowed to develop a patina or is patinated to match the old nakago. Grey

Hi Alex, If you need advice for removing the handle or any other questions, feel free to call and I'll see if I can talk you through it. Grey 218-726-0395 central time

Hi, name please so we know how to address you, Here is a care and handling brochure: http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php You'll be doing yourself and the sword a big favor if you take a few minutes to read it. Congrats; your sword looks nice. Grey

How is it they can't tell a snake from a dragon? Grey

Hi Lowell, You can try the uchiko to see if it helps but don't try anything else. You have dug yourself into a hole; stop digging. In the future, leave repairs to those with proper training. Grey

Hi Christian, Mumei means unsigned, not fake. Stay away from ebay or you'll get burned. Buy books and study. Grey

Hi Bruno, Short answer is no. Very little of past years' publication by JSS/US is online. Grey

Guys, The Index of Japanese Sword Literature on the JSS/US website is the place to search for something like this. http://www.jssus.org/ijsl/?&display=table&table=smiths&page=1 Grey

Hi JT, Brian, who runs this joint, lives in South Africa; thus the Rands. You should have no trouble; go ahead with the donation. Thank you, Grey

This thread brings to mind something that has puzzled me for years: why do tsuba collectors put up with these stupid boxes? It wouldn't be too difficult to fasten the center posts with wood pins or cord tied underneath, or some other method that doesn't risk damage. I don't get it. Grey

In checking on a package going to a customer in Europe I have learned that at least one northern European country has told USPS to delay shipments to them at the moment. Since the US leads the world in covid infections (by a long shot) this isn't necessarily unexpected. Grey

For what it's worth (not much) my 1st impression also was that something isn't right. The placement of the yokote seemed artificial and the fact that the yasurime have been messed with is a red flag. I'm not sure by a long shot of this and will be happy to be proven wrong; I wait to hear from those with more experience than I have. Grey

Thank you Moriyama-san Grey