Alex A

This can be deleted, thanks all

Cant say ive seen that design very often, at all, though what do i know. Thanks Dale, would be nice to pull them together.

Congratulations Okan. Look forward to seeing your website and your items for sale.

For me, there are two ways of looking at this. Either a link to history, a real link, but that isn't happening 99.9% of the time and is unrealistic for many. Or You accept such a medley as above, for display. I have one now, nothing matches at all apart from the Brown ito, sageo and the fact im content with what i spent and how they look. Its not as though the ghosts of the past will haunt me over it, as they did the same. Will point out, no theme on fittings, plain and simple. all fitted out late Edo. (apart from sageo lol) Would rather have something i like and put together for display, rather than another cobbled together overpriced concoction that someone writes "daisho". Own personal opinion is a lot you see was put together in the early 1900s. and beyond, no way of knowing without provenance/proof. Have to say, Brown ito is my favourite, maybe that comes from Shogun. (original)

Nice one Lewis, be good to see it polished, whoever you use.

For some of us that are "sat on the fence". so to speak, about the mei. I may have missed this Lewis but what about the sword actually ticks boxes so far regarding the sword itself? Open minded regarding the mei, have to be as don't have enough references and always a chance a fake mei is added to a legit blade, which happens. Is it booked in for polish? window?. I assume it will need full polish anyways as cant just be left with a window if you want to resell it should it turn out gimei. Can anything be seen?, sorry if this has already been covered so far, just that there doesn't seem to have been much emphasis.

Cheers Geraint, did come in handy. On a side note, ended up buying one of those cheap wooden sword stands from 9 circles, £43, didn't want to spend much so does the trick. Black Painted hardwood, glued it together yesterday, more than adequate for anyone wanting a cheap stand

Think there are old threads for newbies by the older dudes that didn't turn into bickering contests. Just in case newbies a bit lost in all this. Im lost, lol From memory, basic less bias advice.

The sword arrived today, no complaints about OCS, they were very good and will let them know they did a good job. I was at work but luckily and unluckily (whatever way to look at it), the Misses was off to sign for it. Tricky situation again but so far so good, though it has been logged, no doubt

No doubt they have been down this road once too often., Colin

I agree, though edit and staying out of it lol

Worth a try Tony. As the old saying goes, if you don't ask you don't get.

Reading all this. all i am seeing is folks arguing over different points of view. Which to sum up for me, let folks earn their own point of view and stop it with all the bickering. If they ask, advise, if not leave them to it.

Hi Mike, i bought a koshirae online, not exepensive but it kind of matches to one i have so have a Daisho display. The only trouble is the tsuba isnt a good match and it rattles a bit. Ideally, reckon i need a tsuba 6.5 mm or two really thick seppa. Actually considering making my own seppa, doesnt look too difficult.

Do you trust the cutting test inscription?

Wow, that's very good of you.

Oh, i missed that. My pc and eyesight. Saying that though, yes i still think the koshirae as a whole is worth that. The tsuba could be sorted out at home but we would be getting into an whole different discussion about how to do that. Actually, i dont think the tsuba is too bad, after taking another look. Would ask the seller about it and get better daylight pics to be sure. Also, forgot. The Menuki might be decent, i cant see them.

The koshirae is nothing special other than the tsuba is a decent one, alone worth say $250. All the parts are there nothing missing or broken (i presume). The koshirae alone worth around $400. With the sword, even though tired, i think its a steel at that price. Though my point of reference is the UK, where at an arms fair i would be surprised if you got all the above for less than £750 on a good day. On a bad day sellers would want £1000+ as prices seem silly here at the moment. The sword needs to be checked for serious flaws like hagire etc etc. The blade needs further review, measurements and better pictures, should say. Its just a decent package for folks wanting a cheap sword.

Dont know it its just me that thinks this but when i look at the tsuba we are talking about, does anyone else feel like there is a very tiny amount of dry kind of surface rust that needs a bit of attention? Nothing serious at all, just looks like its crying out for a TINY bit of oil on a cotton bud, obviously avoiding the gold. Or whatever folks do.

What length is the blade? Difficult just from images. Ana appear to be punched, not drilled and the nakago seems to have a patina that fits. Its tired, as in not much steel left on at the hamachi. The steel has that Mino kind of a dark appearance of that era but that could just be the photos. Just observations. Easily worth what you paid. Actually, with the good tsuba and koshirae, id say you did very well. Even if Gimei and a serious flaw like Hagire, which is of course what you have to expect for a sword at the price you got it. In the UK, $400 doesn't get you what you got, at all.

One day, might give it a go, thanks

Also bear in mind that some folks struggle with unsigned shortened swords, even if Nanbokucho or earlier.

I just have a vision of getting to the desk and having **** over it, that would be my luck.

Tony, i see the logic. Though i guess not for me. Don't like airports at the best of times and the last thing i would want to do is bring a sword back with me.

PS, Jacques. If you taught what you know with respect instead of coming across as belittle folks, i wouldnt have found it so funny. This thread just another example You really need to work on that With respect.