Alex A

Is that masame in the Shinogi?, Mino ?

This might help. https://Japan-forward.com/the-changes-in-the-shape-of-the-Japanese-sword/

Not an easy exercise, unless you are really familiar with hamon of a particular smith. Didnt spend long on it, just picked up on parts of the hamon, jumped in with both feet just because it reminded me of swords like this, perhaps i will refrain from jumping in with the first thing that comes to mind. Anyways, would be easy to dismiss now, but some similarities (from memory, which is not the best way to go about it, must look carefully) http://new.uniquejapan.com/a-bizen-yokoyama-sukenori-wakizashi/

Kuwana info for those not heard the term http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/kuwana.html

Aye, for a short while i was thinking they had changed the rules and not charging the 5% with the code above (non EU), wishful thinking on my behalf.

Wow, BAR286, thats where il spend it

Are you sure whoever told you this has it correct about non-EU countries. ? Just had a quick look through all the .gov jargon and only see a reference to within the EU

That one is new to me, sounds great

Just using the hamon, il be honest, Muramasa did not register once. How does that old saying go, "the eye sees what it wants to see" All good fun.

Dam, knew it was Tenbun! Christian, i thought it was Yokoyama too, some very similar hamon, thought maybe that was the "trick"

Hi Jp, from the images and mention of a thick kasane, it reminded me of one of those stout swords with long kissaki from the momoyama period, a shape that harks back to Nanbokucho blades. The dimensions however are not in the same ball park. Reminded again about how difficult it is to judge swords from images. I dont know about anyone else, but sometimes been surprised when a sword has arrived and the nakago looks to be a lot different than it did in the images online, in a good way. Sometimes in pics, nakago appears to be that of a later sword. As for Kajihei and the mei being removed, if it were him, id expect to see it with hozen papers already and cant recall his work resembling that of this sword, would need a further research Looks a well made sword, bit of a mystery

Ok, we are trying to get it down to micro-era Il zoom in as best i can 1830-1860

With all the info, Shinshinto too

I dont see enough for me to make a decision. Nakago might be well preserved, as mentioned, file marks are there, Katte Sagari, which may help See lifeless hamon is so many swords. Looks a stout blade, utilitarian. I cant make out the hada properly in these images, think in hand would obviously be a lot easier. And no dimensions.

Seen some late Muromachi Bungo swords with tight hada and thick kasane, not that im saying its Bungo, just thoughts. Although, still reminds me of Momoyama, difficult from images

Looks like a fake mei was removed. Could do with dimensions, reminds me of Momoyama at first glance, not that im saying it is.

Suguha start reminds me of late Edo Bizen, so il go with that

A bit puzzled as to why it has taken so long to notice

Hi Jp, Difficult to come up with anything precise as points about this tanto jump schools. Im leaning towards Bizen, 1580, ish. Age backed up by the fact its seen some polishes. I like the fact a gimei has not been added.

Fair point Barry, would hope no one take a overzealous approach with anything like this, but you never know.

Hi Barry, its very fine and if used with oil and being very gentle it will not harm patina, not that patina is important in this particular case. This sword being a new sword with active rust

As its a modern blade, I would just get a rag and some oil, a gun oil with a rust inhibitor Wipe it down gently for a good good while. Where its deeper i would use a soft toothbrush at first, then use some 0000 steel wool with some oil on it. Undesirable, especially on a modern blade, your going to be left with some marks and staining, but at least will end up stable. DO NOT splash the blade, keep it covered Then keep an eye on it

He did me a good deal once, but not on Ebay. Be careful with Ebay and emailing about deals, they watch. Got another this week, thats no2, jeez, they made £1000s out of me over the years Activity on your account isn’t following policy: Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay policy Hello i$$$$,Activity on your account didn't follow our Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay policy. Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay, including sharing direct contact information prior to an eBay purchase, is not allowed. What activity didn't follow the policy Blah Blah Blah

Sums it up for me Chris, although always take constructive criticism on the chin, we all need it sometimes.

Makes a pleasant read Paul, Nice to see an experienced collector buying a "not a commercially viable" sword and giving a reason why. There is more to this hobby than trying to nail it with "a few outstanding pieces", a myriad of swords with differing details. Im ok with "good", opens more doors, like the sword you bought. Known experienced folk with great collections, but not all their items are "great", but thats just collecting. Sometimes, something attracts you for different reasons,