Alex A

I asked this a month or so ago, sorry to say there are no plans. Alex

Thomas, just out of curiosity, how much are we talking? Alex

Thomas, be careful, paypal will refund the buyer if they think your dragging out the situation. If they do, then you wont get your item back.. Best to get it sorted fast. If it was me, i would speak to my bank, i think your within your rights to stop paypal taking money from your bank/credit card, your being scammed.....just a thought. Alex.

Agreed, put it down to a bad day, get your item back, then move on. Alex

The fact of the matter is that the buyer can say that he did open the box, and what was inside had a part missing and was damaged...no win situation... Alex

Thomas, you need to sort this out with ebay. Alex.

No such thing as a no returns on ebay, if i buy something and it isnt as described, its going back, no matter what the return policy is....The only way a seller can get round this is if the desciption is meticulously accurate, and in that case there shouldnt be a reason for a return. Alex

Would have struggled without the 2 clues Jean, the yasu on the sayagaki looks slightly different to the whats written elsewhere for yasu.. Great to get it right for a change Alex.

It can be a nightmare shipping abroad, make sure your returns information is crystal clear, some folk i know photograph everything before posting. Some countries i do not ship to now due to parcels going missing, its as though they go by route of the Bermuda Triangle

Hi Nick, it would be worth more with papers and its a shame about the nakago however its good that you got all that information from Aoi art. Sounds to me like you really like the blade. Before you buy it, ask yourself if you can live with the rusty nakago?. Ask yourself could you buy a blade with papers and no faults for the same money? I think the fact that Aoi art did not put it in for shinsa says a lot.If you get the blade for a bargain price then fine, remember, if you come to sell this blade in the future buyers will be put off by any faults. Alex.

Hi Jean, correct me if im wrong but i think its Oei Bizen Yasumitsu. Alex.

Looks good,ive just spotted a mitsu on the sayagaki, must be learning something. Alex.

Ebay will side with the buyer, at least if the item is returned then its something, broken or not. Alex

Tell the buyer you cannot give him a refund until the item is returned (recorded delivery). Hopefully then he will send it back. In the meantime phone ebay and give them your side of the story and tell them you will happily give the buyer a refund when the item is returned. When you recieve the item back then you can argue your case with the buyer/ebay or give the buyer a refund. If you dont get the item back then its double trouble as ebay will refund the guy anyway. Alex.

Hi Nick, is there any of the paperwork from Aoi art? Alex.

I suppose one could confuse an assailant if one was left handed :D Keith, your leading me to believe you live in one mean neighborhood! Joking Alex.

Now i understand the katana kake rules ... Im an hilt to the left guy myself, call me old fashioned Alex.

Hi Keith, i see that you say a tachi in koshirae on katana kake should be blade down, is there a reason for this? I know it may just be custom, but would it not be better to protect the sharp edge? Alex

Not something i would attempt, sageo is my limit . Ive just sent a tsuka off, geting it done at a reasonable price and the guy comes highly recommended. Alex.

Hi Mariusz, ive seen a sword recently with a shoddy blade, shoddy signature, shoddy fittings, no papers! and a price tag of $10000, this wasnt on ebay. Arther C Clarke couldnt work it out... :? Its just proof that for a sword to sell it just needs to be in a posh website and attract a clueless customer with money.. Alex

I think there should be a list of good reliable dealers available (on and off ebay). Allthough nothing to do with nihonto, i am part of a world wide group that deals and collects meteorites. This organisation came about due to the numerous fakes and scams, mainly on ebay. Each member guarentees that what he or she sells is authentic and as an accurate description. I found this a great help when i first started collecting, less worry, i just looked for the imca logo in the advert. I no it sounds idealistic, but it does work and is great for the beginner. Im surprised nothing like this as ever been set up for nihontoo collectors, it all seems a bit hit and miss, especially for the poor beginner. I think something needs to be done, too many fakes, too many bull descriptions, dealers selling blades with no papers for silly money, as well as possibly gimei!, personally, i cant get my head round it. Alex

I dont know how many times ive read on here that ebay is a trap, there as been 2 recent posts on here with folk buying blades with kizu that where not included in the write up. I understand why some experienced nihonto collectors want to try there luck, but i bet 8 times out of 10 they wish they hadnt bothered. If you just want a wall hanger, a genuine blade, with kizu etc, and you pay $500 for it then thats fine, as long as thats all you want from it, dont expect a bargain for that price. You may come across a treasure in the rough on ebay from time to time (as often as halleys comet ), but you can guarentee theres a lot more folk than you with there eyes on it. If you dont want any regrets, buy something you can live with or even better, something of reasonable quality. Alex.

Personally i wouldnt worry to much about it, it isnt going to rust away and probably will be fine if you just left it alone and give it a wipe with a dry cloth now and again. If it really bothers you i would use a fine toothbrush with alcohol to remove any loose rust particles (Not rubbing excessively), then wipe with a thin layer of gun oil (almost wiping it all off again),the iron will look darker and in my opinion slightly better than it is now, the patina will change no matter what you use on it, i do this with some iron meteorites with a similar patina , it simply stops the risk of further oxidation problems, allthough if stored in a dry room that shouldnt be a problem anyway!, the original patina will come back sooner or later .Im sure some folk will dissagree, but i wouldnt pay for something it doesnt need, it is old, i think sometimes people want there old items to look new, too much..... Alex.

Cheers Paul, good exercise, much appreciated. Alex.

Ninhonto, haha, sorry! :D Alex