Alex A

The first one is very large, bit like the one on Eds recent post. Alex

An ancient piece of history you have there Ed, just about the time the romans decided to leave england. Ive never seen a tsuba that old before, must be good to own. Alex.

I have limited knowledge and book resources, to be honest im just glad that i gave it ago, I knew no1 was an early sword, just tried to find a match with the books i have, i could match the kissaki, but not the hamon, obviously my attemps where longshots. No 2, similar story, no3 had a boshi id not come acoss, yakitsume, if im correct, the hamon was very distinctive, basically i just searched the net for koto matches to these points, not the way to do things, but as i said its very difficult with what i have and the knowledge i have.. Alex

Tried several times to buy a copy but the site keeps coming up with "cannot validate the address", when i fill in the new member form, everything is correct, any ideas anyone? do you have any copies to sell Marcus? Alex.

Adrian, i was talking 300 people!!!!...paying $30 = 9k, the more people involved the better, works out cheeper for everyone and theres more money for the guy that wrote it. Hyperthetically!!!! 9k is more than enough for 300 printed books, or even 500 books!!!, this job could be printed high quality, for around about $4000 or less. You dont need to argue with everything i say, im trying to help!!!!!!!!!! ps, dont teach me what i already know. Alex

Matt 80 sounds like an 80gram matt paper, coated, but not glossy. I would ask to see a printed sample before going ahead, just to make sure the blacks are black. Who knows, if 300 people agreed to pay $30, thats $9000, that would pay for a class job, no need for digital. sorry, geting a bit carried away.................. Alex

Digital printing looks quite good on uncoated stock, the kind of paper you see in most cheep paperbacks, on gloss or even silk for that matter it can look real flat, the image just sits on top, if i was doing it digital i would stick to an uncoated stock, but a good quality one, just some advice. The cover basically depends on the finish you want. You can use specialist board stock that resembles a leather bound book, looks quite good and is cost affective, there are quite a lot of things you can do to be honest, they do say you cant judge a book by the cover, buts its the first thing you look at. Alex,

Been there twice, all i can tell you is that it is good. Alex.

Il leave you to it then. Alex

Adrian, before you start talking price for offset printing have you looked at the book in detail? Is it black only text throughout? or is there colour anywhere?, this can dramatically affect the price. For a good quality book of this size i would recommend the spine stitched, otherwise it may not last, and that costs. There are many things to look into and many ways to go. Anyway, i feel like im jumping the gun a bit here :? , if anyone wants any advice regarding print i will be happy to advise, simply pm me. Alex.

Thanks Grey, as expected i failed miserably, i found this very difficult. Again, a good learning exercise for me, i dont get to see many blades in the flesh so to speak and this is a good way for me to pick up on a few things, good to look at blade characteristics individually. Hopefully will broaden my scope. Alex

Its true to say that digital printing has cut costs for this type of work on short runs, however quality isnt as good or as sharp as litho printing. Even on short runs we would only do the inside pages digitally, most covers are done litho, i suppose it depends on the quality that you require. There are places in the uk that specialize is this kind of work, a typical price for 100 a4 books, black only insides, full colour cover, 500 page, perfect bound on decent paper is roughly £800. When you think about it £8 per book isnt bad. This is basic though, i like a cover to stand out, block foiled, laminated etc, obviously at a greater expense. We do get printing done abroad, in germany, only basic stuff. Personally i would only get a 480p book printed in my own country where i can keep an eye on things, i know what hassles can crop up, pdf problems etc. Printers make a lot of money simply correcting artwork, an hidden cost that mounts up. Postal prices can also mount up, 100 thick books is an hefty weight! Anyway, a bit to think on. ps, always ask for proofs, an extra expense, but neccassary Alex

HaHa, Adrian, my father was a printer, runs his own print business, my brother runs his own print business, I work at a printers in the uk that is regarded as one of the best for quality, as well as run the business with my brother. Sorry if you think i was being negative, i just know what printing a book entales, and especially overseas! infact, as i write this im stood at the side of a multimillion pound press printing a book, now thats ironic!!....il butt out. Alex.

Sounds expensive, and with more hassles than you can shake a stick at. Alex

1) RAI KUNIZANE 2) SUE BIZEN (AGAIN LOL) 3) AWATAGUCHI 4) CLUELESS Alex.

If possible Grey let it run for a few days, this bookworming takes time. Alex.

Class. Alex

Thanks Paul, good practice Alex

So tempting , even i had a look Alex

Out of curiosity, how many smiths would an army take with it to a battle?. Alex.

Cheers again Paul, here we go, dont laugh :D , this was done whilst taking flack from the misses for looking at swords, again. (used original 3 pics) 1) yamato ko mihara Masahiro(guess) 2) bizen sue bizen Tadamitsu (guess) 3 soshu odawara smith (clueless)

Hi Mariusz, agreed, as much as it may sound over the top, i am now assuming it may be possible to bend a fine tip as it moves down the saya, this sword has a very fine tip and the blade as deep sori and a long kissaki, it doesnt seem to travel well as it goes down the saya, maybe a fault on the saya. I may be wrong but just as a precaution im going to be extra careful. Alex.

Crikey George, nigntmare for the novice and double trouble for the guy who owned the sword! . A good while ago i was in sword shop with a wak looking for fuchi and a tsuba to fit. There was 5 or 6 guys spending a saturday afternoon looking at the swords in the shop, all great guys i might add, very helpful. I took my wak out of the shirasaya to show them, quite nervously, these guys know there stuff. Anyway, one guy came up to me and very politely told me that if i had took his sword out out of the saya the way i had took my sword out of the saya there would have been bother, a nice gent, he was half joking when he said it or was he . A learning curve, i suppose. Alex

Adrian, am i wrong to assume the tsuba on your wak has a bit too much movement? is this your concern? Alex

Slightly larger than the nakago, no need for a micrometer. Alex