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Marius

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Everything posted by Marius

  1. Barry, I agree on the pitfalls, but one can: 1. get proper uchiko (e.g. from Bob Benson) 2. apply it carefully (in fact Bob attches a document on how to use it to avoid scratches) Of course a moron will do neither 1. nor 2., but then again, a moron will try to remove a rust spot with sandpaper and possibly polish a sword himself. Hence, I do not think that your argument is valid.
  2. Gents, this article is not about how to remove oil. It is about how uchiko can enhance the sword (show its "true face" if you will). Of course, poor uchiko (to be bought as part of those cheap sword care care kits) may damage the sword, just like the application of too much pressure during "uchikoing". But that is another matter. Provided we have good quality uchiko from a polisher and we know how to use it (gently), its application should result in a sword where you can see more activities, including steel particles. This is what Kojima is claiming and this is what we should discuss. Of course warnings like "crap uchiko will damage your sword" and "too vigorous cleaning with good uchiko will result in scratches" is absolutely OK here, they are in fact really needed.
  3. An article on using uchiko on polished swords. Easy to dismiss it as advice that results in damaging a fine polish, but since the author is also a nihonto afficinado, who has handled hundreds of swords (including many important ones), his point of view seems really worth discussing: http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/uchiko.html
  4. Period is most likely late Edo. School is difficult to determine.
  5. As for the second sword - to determine if it is real, you need to remove the handle to let us see the nakago (tang). First, remove the pin from the handle (if there is any) Then remove the balde from the handle (do not do it bu grabbing and pulling the blade) Here is a tutorial how to do it:
  6. Brian, you mean Kaifu, I think?
  7. That discussion belongs in our Izakaya, no? BTW, I love Opinel folding knives.
  8. I think this is a better explanation, indeed. Now what was the name of this monk who was was so ugly?
  9. The object looks like a kiseru case. The man could actually be a woman - Oiwa (from Yotsuya Kaidan). However, how the kiseru case fits in, I wouldn't know. Unless it is not a case, but something different. Also, the person is bald, while Oiwa is traditionally depicted with hair. although she is clearly loosing it.
  10. Mark, Leeds is not Tokyo, so you should be fine oiling your blades only once in a few months. I live in a similar climate and I don't oil my swords at all. I have never had a problem with rust. They are all in shirasaya, of course.
  11. Out of Japan, from a dealer of low level stuff, big name, no NBTHK paper. Draw your own conclusions
  12. Kikuchi yari were straight, so this tanto wasn't one. Lovely blade, BTW.
  13. Dave, Yes, I am reasonably sure. It is ubu and has no kerakubi. I understand that your question is due to the atypical shape (one side being flat), but a modified yari would most likely look differently.
  14. Here is a curious blade. A 15.7cm ken, signed Hoki no kami Fujiwara Nobutaka, 3rd generation (Enpo era 1673-1681). The first photograph shows it next to a 19.4cm tanto. Ura has a flat surface, unlike in standard ken.The flat surface has a hitatsura hamon. I wonder what was the purpose of making such a diminutive blade... Enjoy
  15. May I remark that it seems just slightly suriage and machi okuri? Then again, hard to say without the sword in hand. An excellent offer, BTW.
  16. @Jean apologies, haven’t seen your post and posted my comment unnecessarily.
  17. Glad you are not offended read this for starters: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html
  18. Why would one bother reading a „signature” on a Chinese fake? To wrap up: nakago has neither a proper geometry, nor finish. The signature is scratched with a sharp tool, not applied with a chisel. Sorry to be brutally honest (I really don’t want to lecture you) but these things are obvious even to a beginner. Oh, and I will spare you any comment on this abomination of a mounting. My advice (which is being repeated ofthen here): buy some books, see some real swords. Learn. Same applies to your friend. If you fail to do so and go out to buy a sword, you will spend money on worthless trash, like this one here.
  19. This is not a proper nakago.
  20. No hope. Sorry. This is a cheap fake.
  21. This is a tricky one and those eBay pics do not tell everything and might be misleading. I see what seem to be casting bubbles in the sukashi walls. The iron looks brittle in the last picture. Must be seen in hand and scrutinised for traces of tools (chisels), evidence of folding or for tell-tale signs of casting.
  22. Guys, this is not some cobbled together koshirae. It is a high quality item, manufactured by several artisans and very time-consuming and expensive to make. I dare say that the koshirae alone is almost worth the asking price. A splendid set.
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