Alex A

15% is an hefty increase, jeez. Money seems to go nowhere these days,

As i said, don't know this smith but have noticed subtle differences in mei of other smiths, with blades made at the same time and papered. Maybe this smith has an outstanding reputation for highly accurate mei?, i don't know I guess we have been around this issue many times here. Im always open minded to the odd variation for one reason or another so don't assume a mei will always be as if machine stamped accuracy. Just to add, im not talking about mei that are miles off, just the odd stroke that is a bit oddball.

Curious Jacques. Are you saying you wont find papered swords by that smith at roughly the same time (which i haven't studied in particular) with lets say what appears to be an oddball stroke?. As in say machine stamped style?

Understandable David. Narrows the margin but Australia seems a vibrant place as far as Nihonto collecting goes so you will probably move them on there when the time comes. Pleased to find out through Michael at the Token society earlier that the UK membership numbers are far better than i would have thought, which does make me more optimistic about the future and selling swords within the UK. I don't want to ship Katana in particular abroad anymore. The last two katana i sold were actually to UK gents, i forget that. I guess i just get wound up from the negative stuff about shipping overseas and hassles with imports. The worst part of the hobby. Michael, pretty sure there are good swords out there in the UK. The trouble is limited choice. You know how it is, collect for a certain amount of time, know what you like and what you have missed out on in the past, then you have your sights on something in particular which would be difficult to get a hold of here.

Obviously not ideal but if its a sword you desire, then well, guess i would be ok with it. They do seem rare, some would have that down as an extra interesting factor about a particular sword. We all look at swords in different ways.

Cheers Michael Rayhan, On one point about Suriage. I do tend to agree but eventually came to my own conclusion. For folks wanting top name smith swords such as Tadayoshi, signed swords that have slight suriage can open doors for those that dont want to or dont have the funds for Ubu swords. In other words, there are bargains to be had for higher quality works. I am in the signed camp, even if part of the mei is gone. Best

Thats great to hear, i take it the vast majority are UK based?

Hypothetically speaking, Just wondering how folks from differing countries would get on without being able to import, especially from Japan?. Not just talking swords, fittings etc too. This isn't about UK, though what's happening in the UK has made me aware, aware that what is available here will kill the hobby for me. Looking at the well known dealer here, prices are sky high. Looking at obscure military sites, people want high prices for junk and i mean junk. Anyways, lets assume you cant personally import swords from Japan, how would you get on with what's available? The US has always been a good place to look, perhaps the huge amount of WW2 bring backs played a part?.

Think it was around 60,000Y

Good to know Tony, at what point do they hit you with the import fees?, is it via email? Cheers Ps, seems the dealer has already filled in all the forms for me regarding reasons for import, which is great.

I dont know Marcin, all i know is ive just paid around £320 get a katana here from Japan. Now i didnt think that was too bad with insurance but it did alarm others when i mentioned it. OCS being the chosen shipper, ive never even heard of them. Anyways, fingers crossed lol On a side note, had a koshirae only stuck in customs at parcelforce since 9th July, which is very strange. All it says on the tracking is awating charges, been like that all that time. Parcelforce cant help with customs.

On a side note and i believe it is what Colin eluded to. Dont want to turn this into a big UK legislation debate but eventually i fear it may effect us all, I'm talking international shipping with postal services. For me it is the ONLY issue i get concerned about. I have not opted out of collecting swords, as others in the UK may do, though wont be many more. I will say shipping is now expensive to UK and only certain couriers will oblige from Japan. To me, this is what you should be concerned about, airlines refusing swords. Shipping could get expensive for everyone. Make hay whilst the sun shines, so they say. The world is changing.

This must be the most common subject on here for turning bad. Hobby cant be dead or you lot wouldn't be getting so upset "He said something bad about my taste", boo-hoo. Ridiculous when you think about it. Though seen in every collecting hobby. Think folks need to learn how to not give a ****

Dee, from what i see, a sword gets a balance of opinions and the person presenting the sword should be grateful people with more knowledge are giving up their time to provide an opinion. Dunno whether you have or you haven't yet, but have you ever given up an hour of your time looking through books and stuff to never even get a "thanks". Books that you have paid a lot of money for and time that could have been used to mow the lawn or something. By the way, i consider real low end mass produced Sue Bizen to be a bit of a rarity here, talking about real low end disposable weapons.

Would say most stuff for sale here, sellers take an hit, contrary to what you state.

Really no need for that Rayhan, though that's how these threads always end up.

For a while now been seeing TH swords going relatively cheap, waks for like $2500, even saw a Katana for $4000 with decent koshirae. Whilst not the top name smiths of the school, they were from the school and worthy of TH. If folks shop in that price range then that's what you have to live with. Which many are happy to do so. You got to find your own price range and learn how to be content within it. Ps, Known a few highly regarded collectors and know for a fact they do own such swords, its not all top end heavy. Like i said not so long ago, a well known Japanese dealer only owns one tanto and its not worth much at all.

There you go, proof one can work out what a sword is from images, well done to all.

Edit, tired of sounding like a broken record with these type of threads.

Edit, was heading off topic about collecting in the modern world, another topic.

Instant gratification and dopamine, its an issue lol

As always, Jacques turns the attention on himself. You make a lot of folks sad with your constant whining. Brano, there is plenty enough to see for folks to come up with something, as is evident above from those taking part. Its just a fun exercise for gods sake.

Ridiculous.

The first picture was enough to put me off so stopped looking after that.

Barrister update. Traditionally made blades are ok.