Alex A

I have started to look at information regarding these blades, wide tachi with large o-kissaki (odanbira). From what i can gather most are unsigned and some are signed by appraisers due to orignal mei being cut off. I have already bought one shinto mumei blade and said to myself i would only stick to signed blades in the future, Now i am on the lookout for an old tachi as stated above. Are o suriage tachi of the era above more acceptable in terms of lost mei? and to find one signed, from a reasonably good smith (with papers), how much are we talking?.. Alex

Cheers John, il bare that in mind. Alex

Hi John, have you ever used this method to detect ha giri? Alex

Might be worh geting an expensive sword magnafluxed(sounds like someting from back to the future )on arrival..If anything shows up, return it to the seller. Alex

Is there anything the polisher could do to detect hagiri at the start of the process? If it where the polishers blade, would he do things differently?. Could he perhaps start with the hamon/boshi, or is the process written in stone so to speak, just a thought. Alex

Where theres money to be made,theres shenanigans..... Alex.

I suppose in battle, if a sword takes an hard knock, the bend and stress will cause cracks. Alex

Cheers Chris, out of curiosity, how are they caused,breifly, are they battle scars? or are they a fault in the forging/quenching... Alex.

Cheers Paul, i suppose a no quibble return policy is adamant. Alex

Cheers Mariusz, now i get it. The joys of buying on line :?. That would seriously ruin my day. Alex.

Sometimes difficult, and sometimes impossible to see. Jean you mentioned that the cracks where not visable until the blade had been polished. Now that as really put me off ever buying a sword in old polish. When i do recieve a blade i examine every inch of the hamon, boshi, infact all the blade with a strong magnifying glass, is this all that can be done? Alex.

Cheers Ken. Alex

I agree, if you dont buy a papered sword sooner or later you will want it to be a papered sword and thats MORE expense. Alex.

Ok. some good advice there. Alex

Google japaneses sword index, plenty of advice on kizu there, Alex.

All good straightforward advice Adrian, nothing gets candy coated on here, be glad folk have took the time to help you. Alex

Adrian, so much good advice!.. as you can see, you have already started off on the right path. well done. Alex.

Deal with reputable and honest dealers/sellers, avoid ebay like the plague and you should do ok. I say avoid ebay, because like me, your no expert and you dont need the hassles. From what ive seen in the way of blades on there, its too risky, even the write ups are vague and misleading. Alex.

Adrian, i agree, you can only learn so much from books. In the short time i have been on here i have wondered where some of the guys get there knowledge from? (quick google, joking ). The only way i can see me gaining knowlege is an hands on approach. I keep saying il get down to the meetings at the token society but work gets in the way. Is there any arms fairs where you could go and take a look, thats about as hands on as i get. Alex

What you need to remember is this, if you pay £10000 for a sword and want to sell it in 5 years time you will more than likely struggle to get anywhere near what you want for it simply because its an high value item and you dont have the reputation (or the customers) that the dealer had. If your lucky they will sell it on consignment for you and take a cut. It isnt a safer investment buying a more expensive sword :? These things can be very difficult to sell. Alex.

Adrian, they dont make good investments. :? Alex.

Ive seen signed blades in koshirae (with hozen papers) for £2400. Adrian you may want to up the budget(if possible),even at this price there not the best but its a good start. £1000 (1500$) is being optimistic.As a newbie i wouldnt buy a sword without papers. Alex.

I like that take on it Adrian, hopefully you too have learned from my mistake! Alex.

Yes Adrian, i would love to advertise my stupidity :D .. I paid £2420 for a koto blade with no grain and no papers, think it was signed kanekada (if i remember it rightly)..Funnily enough, the fittings where ok. If id have bothered reading a book before jumping in i wouldnt have bothered, so when someone says read a "few" books, they mean well. No pictures im afraid, didnt have it long enough for it to grow on me. Alex

Well summed up Adam, wish someone had gave me that advice before i bought my first one. Hate to see people making the same mistake i did! Alex.