Alex A

Not the end of the world Bob, just a thread that didnt live up to its title

Thanks James, taking along a printout would be a good way to combat those blank stares, luck favours the prepared mind, as they say

Hello all, i was wondering if anyone had any uptodate info on whether or not the Royal mail/Pacelforce are still ok for sending an antique Katana overseas?. Ive been into the post office on several occasions lately and they ALWAYS ask what it is that you are sending. I had a bit of a minor hassle posting a deactivated gun last week, the woman behind the desk automatically assumed it was a banned item, which was a bit annoying. Anyway, ive pulled this off the post office website....... "Weapons Including Section 5 firearms (e.g. handguns, machine guns), CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives,and other knives that are banned knives under UK laws, tasers and stun guns. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays." It only mentions "banned" under UK laws, so i would take it that an antique katana would be ok to post? If anyone knows better, OR knows of another courier they have used recently, id appreciate the info.

Blade in the pic looks pretty straight, like kanbun shape, Saya looks curved. Do they fit together ok, or is there some kind of optical illusion in this photo.

Nothing Nihonto related although maybe if id started a lot younger that may have been a different story. Not a day goes by without me regretting buying an house in the wrong side of town many years ago, i suppose you buy what you can afford.

I used to collect oriented Sikhote-Alin, had a neat little collection of those at one point. I suppose its worth a mention that there are some meteorite enthusiasts that wouldnt be too happy about meteorite specimens being turned into swords or anything else for that matter. One story caused a lot of controversy and debate, http://www.theguardian.com/global/2012/jul/22/meteorite-katie-paterson-field-sky Interestingly, she acquired it from Geoff Notkin (meteorite men tv series), who was none to pleased about it, the piece was apparently one of his favourites

Hi John, i bought it when there was an abundance of large campos being imported into the US, got it quite cheap. One or two dealers did very well indeed, as you probably know, but seems the good times are over. Specimens are now getting smaller and the prices are getting taller, gets me thinking i should have hung onto it a while longer. Anyway, now has a good home at Edinburgh University.

For anyone who hasnt seen an iron meteorite, heres a 50lb campo del cielo i used to own. See the Regmaglypts (thumbprinting) created by ablation passing through the atmosphere,

Hey Matt, for $500 you did very well indeed. For that price i wouldnt be too bothered about the flaws or the nakago being cleaned, big 300zx fan too

Hi Curtis, keep an eye on the blade for any scuffs, blades mark easily from a saya that doesnt quite fit.

Hi Jason, you stated "as I recalled it said when hada activity crosses into the hamon" Im wondering if your confused about ji-nie, as its composed of the same particles that make up the hamon.

I would very much like to own that tanto, but alas, would require lottery funding. Are you having a bid Mariusz?

Very interesting website!, thank you.

"What is a price I can buy them at and not get hurt?" Without seeing them in hand, i would find it too much of a gamble, even at a low figure.

Grant, cool

Cheers Steve, appreciated. I was put in contact with another polisher a while ago, Mr Norman, hes at the Birmingham arms fair in February. Heading down there myself anyway, hoping he can have quick look at it whilst im there.

Nice one Chris. Is that a silver habaki i see?

Hi Peter, ive been having a few similar thoughts lately, the same reason i said "buy wisely" in Barrys thread. Theres a wealth of information available to newcomers that will have an impact on sales. Moneys the problem, but theres more to it. How often do we see newcomers asking for help on a new purchase. When it comes to spending $ you have to ask if you cant find the answer. Its a double edged sword, folk get advice, then a seller looses a sale. Ive asked for help myself sometimes, and still do, its a difficult and tricky hobby. On this site alone theres plenty of information on what and not to buy. A business i know does very well selling "plain janes" at high prices, but the key there is a certain "lack of information", you wont find no "evaluation scheme", not a shinsa paper in sight. There is a market for those not in "the know", folk that dont want to embark on years of study. Its only when a spark is fired or that first book is bought, then that certain naive person starts to ask questions, starts to look for information. Its the information and the advice available, that will sway them away from certain purchases, and theres plenty of information and opinions floating around in cyber world..

Quite right James, Nihonto is a poor "investment". We buy simply because we enjoy it, although you may well loose big time, if you dont spend wisely.

Interesting Brian, just scratched my head for twenty minutes, best i can come up with is something to do with Tanegashima

Hi Alan, Matilda looks like she worries too much, maybe she should adopt the attitude of Oscar below....

Hi Dan, i think you may need to have a re-read. I said that swords may be a better investment than a CAR in the long run, my humour : . Good or bad, no matter what way you look at it, there an "investment". An expensive hobby, as you know. For an average guy to take part, there needs to be some kind of "justification" to the spending. For me, i just see it as money spent enjoying life :lol:, bit like buying a shiny new car. I chose to persue this hobby with disposible income, that overwise would of gone on cars, bikes, etc etc. Hopefully with wise sword purchases, i may see more of the money back, than otherwise depreciated on other items, il see, not too bothered in either case. The scales have to be balanced though, cant be going gung-ho with spending in all directions. There will come a time in the not to distant future where i will sell, to move on with the hobby, as others do or go full impulse power on a new bike, il see. I work hard, so balance with lifes entertainments.

Money eh?...It is possible for average Joes (like me) to buy 3,4,5,6,7000$ swords, buy a push-iron or a really cheap knockabout (recommend 1.2 fiesta, 2004 model with lowish mileage £1200), run that for 3 or 4 years instead of buying that nice new shiny motor and spend that money on swords , the swords will be a better investment (hopefully) in the long run. The one big thing is make sure you have your own home and your misses doesnt live with you, 30 miles should suffice :lol: Only joking, not financial advice. Seriously though, most folk interested in swords will no doubt bump into the NMB site sooner or later, so, keep up the good work, if anything will get new folk into the hobby, its this..

What if we all write a polite letter?

I remember the reactions from folk i know when i first started collecting. Most of the guys found them interesting, but when they asked how much, i knew full well they thought id gone slightly bonkers . The girls of these guys thought i had become a bit of an eccentric, a geek :lol:. Judging by these reactions, its fair to say this hobby is a "niche", to say the least. With the interest in Nihonto, Koi, bonsai and now a "Japanese bronze vase", im beginning to wonder if i was Japanese in a former life :lol:. Anyone remember this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4 . My brother went through a brief spell of annoying me with it. . Even with all that, i dont think there will be any shortage of newcomers in the future, eccentrics abound :lol: