Alex A

Agreed Adrian, the reserved price is now more expensive..The problem with putting a reserved price on an item is that it actually puts people off. People think of ebay as a place to find bargains. When they see a reserved price it turns the bargain hunter mode in people off. Ive never sold any item with a reserve on it. Alex

HaHa, Mariusz, lets just say il stick to the rules when everyone else does.. Alex.

In my experience, shill bidding is rife on ebay, if i see something of interest with bids on it i always check the bidders history with that seller. 7 times out of 10 they have an history. You cant blame the sellers, ebay and paypal fees can mount up to a ridiculous amount. Sellers need good prices for there items, otherwise theres no point. Alex

Dont think to bad of the sellers who up the price, ive done it myself, so has half the UK. Sometimes you can have an item on there for months on end. To get people interested you need a ridiculously low starting price, a price that you could never let an item go for,a reserved price costs too much. If an item you are selling is near the end of an auction with a price that you cant let it go for then simply get a pal to bid a fair price on it.This can back fire and your item can be left unsold, but at least you have not given your item away.Im not talking about bidding stupidly high prices on items, just fair prices. People should know what there bidding on and stick to there limits. Alex.

I have an item coming in to the UK this week, praying it goes smoothly. Sometimes i think you just need a bit of luck with the old customs folk, depends who deals with it and what kind of mood there in Alex.

I looked at this sword a short while ago, i thought it was good value for a flawless, signed blade in koshirae with a hozen guarentee, i do like the cucumber style tsuba. I hope you get the higher papers but if not then even with the hozen papers then i think you have made a good purchase. Alex.

It does seem unfair that Bungo blades have this reputation, are we talking about blades that where made during the waring period?. Bizen smiths, amongst others also made lower quality blades during this period to supply the lower ranks. I suspect a samurai of that era would be looking for a strong and reliable blade, if artistic value mattered so much on the battlefield then i suspect that a warrior may have taken a paintbrush and pallet instead :D. . Alex.

Where better place to pick up a katana with nice fittings, such as this. Alex.

Hi,i couldnt tell you much about the signature, sorry, but i have shown my misses this post Alex..

I think you done well Adrian, especially if you came in on budget. Alex.

Thats what i thought Jean, looks like someone as used KRUST or similar on the nakago and maybe on the blade...also the habaki looks like its got some black sludge on it. I know you shouldnt clean nikago, but is there a choice here? Alex.

Hi Adrian, i can tell your happy with your first purchase, the white gloves say it all . I like the fuchi kashira, and ive always been a fan of ribbed saya, but i am curious about the blade, how tired is it? any pics.. Alex.

Thanks Thomas, thats cleared that one up. Alex.

300ish E profit, a good days work i suppose...This blade reminds me of one of the blades my freinds dad had before he died, his son still has them. His dad used one of them for martial arts. Its nicely signed "seki ju takashi kaneshige" and in modern koshirae.The blade as grooves, such as this one, a long blade with long nikago, its showa stamped. I was told at the time the blade was not traditionally forged with it having this stamp, i couldnt see any grain allthough the blade was in ok polish, the hamon was gunome, allthough with no activity and not very clear. His dad was told the blade is 1926..I was wondering, is there a chance the blade could be traditionally forged?..I told my freind it wasnt, and at the time he wasnt too impressed. I know nothing of blades from that time but to me the blade didnt look handmade. No pics im afraid... Alex.

Where wife and swords are involved, honesty is always the best policy ..and Jean, a fortnight!, you lucky man you. Alex.

Adrian, i have a modest collection, no Amakuni or Amafuji in there!, if it was worth a great deal than obviously i wouldnt give them away. We have been over this before, dont put too much emphasis on values for average blades, from what ive learned there only worth something when someone wants to buy them, and that can take an awful long time and be a lot less than you think. So, that is why i dont consider them to much of an asset, much more of a financial bit of exuberence at the time of purchase ..In that case there more sentimental to me than monetry and for that reason i dont consider them to be much of an inheritance, more of an hinderence. Funnily enough, an old mate rang me to see if i knew anything of ww2 blades about a year ago, his father had passed away and left him 2 swords, his father had placed a value of £900 on each, he was offered £200 and £350 by a dealer, so there you go. Alex

.I understand your point Adrian but i suppose it can get complicated. Obviously im hoping to leave my family something more substantial than a bunch of swords, thats my passion and once bought i dont really see them as an asset, believe it or not. If its money you want to leave to your family then the swords should be sold well in advance by yourself,if possible and if need be. (sorry to get deppressing again, its the night shift). The family wont have a clue, no matter how much effort you put into advising them, there most likely to be ripped off. Id love to leave them to my son but if he as no interest when hes older then theres no point, there better going to a good home. Have you ever wondered why a lot of these items stay in such good condition, now you know... Alex.

Hi Paul/Chris, yes, bit of a silly question now i think about it. :D.. Alex.

Haha, Jean, there yours, but dont be mailing me saying there gimei lol... Alex

For me its the future care, once there paid for, there paid for.. It would be a shame to restore a blade only for it to go to ruin in the future. I wouldnt pass them on for someone to make a quick buck, id rather give them away to someone who will appreciate them and look after them, but then again maybe thats wishful thinking... Alex

Agreed Jean, and by the way, im coming back to haunt my son if he dont look after my blades lol . Alex..

Its sad that someones pride and joy could end up going for nothing. We dont own things in life, we just borrow them for a while..crikey, im geting depressing lol, thats what working nights does .. Alex.

Cheers Brian, im glad i found that out, clueless with tsuba, sorry Jean to go off on a tangent with your post...Cool tsuba by the way, sukashi do look the best, in my opinion.... Alex..

Hi Jean, why shouldnt you remove the red rust on sukashi tsuba?, i presume you mean on the inner sides... Alex

Do most modern smiths use machinery thesedays for the hammering? Alex.