Alex A

The dealer will refund him, they are ok like that.. Once they get the sword back, which should be tomorrow. He awaits their response regarding UPS. All this just shows you cant trust some dealers. You can spoon feed them details and some will just ignore you and do it the usual way. Obviously not got their head around the issue here yet. Wouldn't mind but i sent a direct mail asking them about delivery a few months ago on a sword i was interested in, he told them at the start of the purchase. Different staff dealing with it maybe.

He has just heard from the dealer. The dealer says the package was sent on the 1st Aug and EMS have returned to sender. Seems they are on the ball with regarding shipping swords to UK. Now if the dealer does not want to ship via UPS, or cant for some reason. Its effectively GAME OVER.

Just learnt that the dealer sent him a tracking number with EMS. Oh dear, they were warned and did state originally that they were using UPS to UK. Told him to tell them, if they can stop delivery before it leaves Japan, do it.

He is in a better position now then if he had let it be sent as "antique". Listed correctly with all the appropriate details to back it up, invoice, dealer info etc etc. Also, told him to add info about himself, age, why he is importing it, Member of Arms and armour society etc etc. All helps, agree, cant get it wrong in this day and age. Apparently its being sent via UPS. I know folks have had issues here with UPS but my experiences with them have been great, but that was for antique guns, not swords. Always feels like bit of a Russian Roulette scenario, whether it gets handled by someone in the know or you end up unlucky. I'm hoping it goes well, as I'm importing a tanto when its ready. Whether its my last import or not i don't know, kind of ******* off with it all now. Anyways, fingers crossed.

Hi Michael. Don't remember seeing that email or a link to that guidance note here on the board. Just checked my emails, don't think i received it. will need a re-read when have more time but very useful. Hopefully, will add some good news to the Brit thread if his tanto turns up without hassles. We will see,

Hi Brendan, never heard of the 1954 rule Where did that come from? Was your sword imported via EMS/Parcelforce by any chance? Hopefully, being a shorter tanto, may have less hassle, wel see

Recently speaking to a collector in the UK, he was saying the dealer in Japan wanted to state "antique" on a modern sword that he is importing. Quite surprising really, the dealer should know better. Perhaps not familiar with UK lately. I get why they might want to do this and would understand the importer kind of agreeing with the idea. Told him honesty is the best policy with customs. If they ask for proof of age then it could go pear shaped, especially when looking at other import disasters over the last few years. Said this was the description to use, from Darcys write-up TRADITIONALLY MADE Japanese CULTURAL ARTWORK BY (smiths name) And add customs tariff number which is 9705.00.00.90 Just in case anyone considering the idea,

I'm told the dealer received the permit, took 6 weeks.

Bought a similar Saotome from Eric some years ago. WOW, scary prices on those types nowadays. 25_Tsuba Saotome 3 — Owazamono

I know its an horimono thread, but if folks like dragon carving, good example here. Dragon tsuba signed Hirado-Ju Kunishige - Sold Archive - Nihonto Message Board (militaria.co.za)

For a minute, was thinking about Kuwana blades. Though not the same. Kuwana blades (ksky.ne.jp)

I imagine that its just very small areas of the surface that have failed to patina or eroded patina. For reasons such as wear and handling, rust flaking off and what not.

I'm not very savvy with money Lewis. Though i think i did open an account a few years ago and never used it, possibly a different company. Will look into it, cheers.

Agree prices have remained the same and now is a good time to buy due to the weaker Yen. Ordered a tanto to be made and agreed on a price. A little concerned the Yen rate will have changed by the time its made and i will be hit with a kick in the nuts lol

Thanks Thomas, il pass that on.

This used to take two weeks tops, have a friend that's been waiting 5 weeks. Anyone else noticed? and know the reason?

Surely a sword should have a polish that is satisfactory enough after polish without having to attempt to enhance it oneself..

For me, the risk outweighs any potential reward. Horses for courses as always.

I was thinking what Bazza/Piers mentioned, a wall gun. Never seen one up close but saw a mechanism for one at an arms fair a while ago, it was massive, especially compared to the standard sizes. This one. price was a lot cheaper at the fair. A Flintlock Mechanism for a Wall Gun (garthvincent.com)

I dunno John, guessing very few in the UK. Quite a few stores sold wall hangers back in the 80s. Just thought id take a look, forgot i have a Ninja sword too, thats actually pretty decent made with a 440 Stainless steel blade. Sadly under UK law now then i guess ownership of my first sentimental swords is now a bit dodgy. I know this site is for real Nihonto but as a kid barely into his teens, they made a few xmas days very special Ito actually not too bad lol

Edit, thought someone had added seki gane but now ive got the glasses on.

Also the patina of the nakago looks fake. Mei is on the wrong side for a Tachi. Nut and bolt mekugi peg is a new one, never seen that before. Ps, these always get called fakes but i don't think a lot of them were meant to deceive. Back in the 80s most folks just wanted ornamental wall hangers, these sufficed. In my eyes , many are not good enough to be called fakes. I still have one, kept it for sentimental reasons, blades not even magnetic, must be aluminum or something

Guessing that they were done as a quick and shoddy way to tighten up the fit and stop things rattling around, with regards wrong thickness seppa. Though just a guess.

Its difficult to help with a price because you give us so little info. Never seen a Koto Katana in koshirae, in the state its in for less than £1200 in the UK. Whether that helps or not, dunno.

Original nakago is what i meant, Jean