Alex A

Sorry, my misunderstanding, maybe someones selling something on here, hopefully. Alex

Adrian, i wouldnt spend $1500 with someone who admits there a beginner. Dont rush in, take your time, read a good few books and have a think about exactly what you want. If you buy badly you will never see that money again. If theres no dealers in your country, look elsewhere,take a look through Aoi arts katana for sale just to give you an idea. Expect to pay more though. Alex.

Cheers Peter. Alex

I met Kelly on ebay sometime ago, since then i get weekly emails with auction listings for all kinds of Japanese antiques, i was wondering if anyone deals with him?. There are a few posts on here, but nothing to really go off. I was interested in a tsuba on his list a while ago, he wanted the money up front (i can understand why) but obviously i was reluctant. Alex

Hi Paul, thanks for the tip, funnily enough i have been on the lookout for an old sword. Price range was a concern for a good piece. Buying on line can be risky as you all know, you dont know exactly what you have until you get it. This post as helped a lot, i have more of an idea of what to look for. Alex

Does someone know why nashiji hada as never been matched, was Tadayoshi trying to match it exactly? If he was, but couldnt, is it simply down to a lack of knowlege or is there other factors as stated such as quality of iron. As any modern smith tried to match it, that would be interesting. Alex.

Very impressed Paul, i want one. Alex.

Glad i did it right Mike, seppa will fit fuchi perfectly. Alex.

Ive just had new copper seppa made for a wakizashi, i didnt want any fit issues, there are old seppa on ebay but for me taking a risk buying a tsuba that doesnt fit is enough heart ache, without adding to the problem. I dont think i will bother to try and change the patina, looks fine and will age in time. Alex.

Guys, i am unfamiliar with all these background things going on. If you read all these posts and see it from my point you should clearly understand why i came to this assumption. I apologise, simply got the wrong end of the stick! Please except my apology, i have ammended the posts.... ps, if the nthk or nbthk where not money making organisations, they would tell you who they thought made your blade, rarther than dismiss it.

Ernst, i thought chris and keiths replys where A1 ammended. Alex

Alex.

Cheers Chris for such a lengthy reply,very informative, much appreciated indeed! Alex.

Haha, keith, i know a sword is not made in a day , i was trying to see a swordsmith in a more human way, it all seems so idealistic. I take it they made money when they sold there swords, i can imagine a swordsmith being reluctant to throw one in the bin after 2 weeks work, as you say maybe sold unsigned, or if they thought the customer was clueless, sign it :lol: . Just the way i look at things i suppose, always looking for another take on things, knowing what i know about folk and there shananigans. Alex

On the subject of blade style, maybe the smith decided to have a change, try something new, maybe he felt a bit exuberant that day and decided to copy a blade that he had seen for a change, on the subject of bad mei, perhaps he was an alcoholic and had hit the saki to hard before signing it , perhaps he was ill or simply he felt the blade wasnt upto standard and got his apprentice to sign it for him. We are only human, not robots, forgive my naiveness, and feel free to correct me? Alex.

Another Hizen tadakuni blade, popular smiths this week, i have Tadakuni 1st wak, now thats 4 Tadakunis on here in 2 days, great blades! Alex.

Theres a lot of folk out there who buy on impulse, i jumped in with both feet when i bought my first sword several years ago. I didnt have a clue (more clueless than i am now anyway :lol:)i had never read a book, never heard of papers, i just saw it and bought it. Luckily i bought a few books the week it came, worked out it was a mass produced koto blade, then returned it for something with papers!. What im trying to say is, swords dont need papers to sell, just naive folk. "Before you buy it", sums it up fine. Alex.

I know a dealer who doesnt put his swords through shinsa, "it takes too long and costs too much", he says. Before i read all these posts i was under the impression that maybe its because most of his swords are gimei (still might be), now im thinking he may have a point. If his knowlege is as good as the shinsa team, then would it not be a waste of money?. As stated, they are only opinions (written opinions infact). There probably more important to newbies (like me) than to someone who is an expert. I suppose when im spending my hard earned cash i need something to put my mind at rest, maybe i just see it as some kind of reassureance!. From now on though im a bit more open minded, and cautious. Alex

Cheers Jean, roger that. Alex

"Han Bing slong", something else i need to look into!, cheers Jean, seems papers are not as reliable as i thought. Alex.

Hi Jean ,quite straight forward, i was curious as to why the 2 organisations differ so much in there opinions, i am aware that an estimation paper is a low scoring paper (didnt make kanteisho). Sam, yes, ive took another look, certainly says NTHK estimation paper and your right about what im talking about. Thanks again Lance, Sam and Jean. Alex

Hi Peter, maybe the subject of art might tip it in our favour. Alex.

Ive just been having a browse through the internet sites. Ive come across a few katana with 2 sets of papers, NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho and also NTHK estimation paper. Does this mean that the NTHK thought the sword was of poor quality and the NBTHK think the sword was of high quality? I am aware that they judge on different merits, is it a case of the NTHK dismissing the blade because of poor quality work and the NBTHK giving the sword merit for other reasons? I cant understand why the seller would say that it had an estimation paper when it also as a Tokubetsu Kicho paper. Apologies if this as been brought up before. Alex.

Hi, i know there as been a few uk shinsa in the past, i was wondering if anyone knows if there is one planned for 2013? Alex.

Superb!, well done. Alex