Alex A

No, understandable. I was buying a sword some time ago, noticed a scratch in the photos and asked the dealer if he could polish it out. He told me me what I told you about removing steel and it did make me think. If these swords are going to be around for many years to come then maybe its better to just accept the odd blemish. Prevention is better than cure, do you draw the blade properly? (on the mune and not sideways), touch of oil on the blade?. As mentioned in the other thread, I would get the shirasaya checked out. Had a similar issue with one of my blades, warped saya, maybe some debris. Always move your swords out of the way when folk come around, unless you want scratches and dinked saya.

Just a few light scratches, worth taking steel off the blade?

Been two or three good deals there over the last couple of months, and that was one of them. Actually, thought it was a great deal, lovely hada and bo-hi. I was also curious about the inlay "ichi", did they tell you more about it ?, best I could come up with was a Samurai that liked to blow his own trumpet Well done, nice sword.

No, i just use it as a starter to clean up old rusty iron.

Oh right, cheers Paul, makes me wonder how they make sense of it all down there.

Don't appear too bad, would just keep wiping it with a rag, touch of wd40 to start with, not in the sukashi.

Cant remember seeing the "50cm" line before, . https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions For example, swordsticks, knuckledusters, telescopic truncheons, which extend automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device, butterfly knives, belt buckle knives, push daggers, hand and foot claws, death stars, blowpipes, a disguised knife, that is any knife which has a concealed blade or concealed sharp point and is designed to appear to be an everyday object of a kind commonly carried on the person or in a handbag, briefcase, or other hand luggage (such as a comb, brush, writing instrument, cigarette lighter, key, lipstick or telephone), samurai swords with a blade not exceeding 50cms and certain martial arts equipment.

Found this Wah https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/relief-from-customs-duty-and-vat/importation-of-collectors-pieces-and-works-of-art/index.aspx https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/imports/imps05200 https://www.taricsupport.com/nomenclatuur/9705000030.html Bit of a read.

Certainly wouldn't have it down as Edo, but im no expert.

Hi Ken, not UK, I bought it from your end, US. According to tracking my end, never left the country, from 3rd to 19th of this month. Not sure exactly Ken, possibly something to do with what was said in 1st post, but hoping not.

Having a go with EMS, see how that goes. Was just wondering what all the fakes, reproductions, etc get labelled as when they are sent? Imagine the headache for customs if using antique/tariff 9706

Was hoping to kick off the "shipping success" thread, but Bought a sword in the US and looking at the tracking it didn't get much further And as Elvis once said, returned to sender.

Bummer that Chris!.If its any consolation, i once had a tanto sent back to the sender because he didnt put his full name on the package. All depends who get on the day, and I suppose what mood they are in.

Didnt know that Peter, cheers.

Maybe they listed it as antique ? The customs state 100 years old or more. Kind of annoying really, buy a traditionally made sword from WW2 and get no reduction, seems unfair. Maybe im missing something about "art" stuff, not sure, just go off the antique/100 years old.

No, just antiques Wah

Hi Stephen, Sometimes *#'** happens and you need the money. Personally, ive sold items I didn't want to and once sold a sword for £1700 less than I paid for it. (hate to admit, but was when i first became interested) At the end of the day, just becomes the past, and you move on. When times get better, your back in the game.

Be like a kid in a sweetshop...………………………...without pocket money

Great vid, thanks

In contrast to the negative news we read about, thought it would be good to hear some good news from time to time, and hope it far outweighs the negative. That's if anyone wishes to. Type of sword and route.

This thread reminds me of the time i was looking over the mei of Enomoto Sadayoshi, noticed so many differences over his long career

Good exercise Ed. Lets face it, its not an exact science, only a robot could pull off the exact same mei year in and year out, which is what I think some folk expect to see.

New to me, never had issues to and from Germany.

Hi Kirill, im not saying this would have made the slightest difference, just a few thoughts, desperate times judging by this read. "dagger", is a word I would try to avoid, would stick to "Antique, over 100 years old, customs tariff no 9706.00.00.00" possibly add "art" This will HOPEFULLY make whoever sees it give it more attention, rather than just immediately disregard it. Darcy done a write up on this somewhere, by the way. Personally, after reading about such issues, im now thinking it may be a good idea to add some information somewhere about yourself, just to let them know your not just a spotty teenager buying a weapon from abroad, something along the lines. Mr J Bloggs, importer/collector of Japanese antiquities, aged 50, member of "the token society of great Britain, Northern Token Society and the NMB etc + passport details. . I would describe the papers fully and probably throw in the word museum piece just for good measure. it might help, might not, a bit desperate, I suppose

Kirill, do you mind me asking what the description was on the package?, just wondering.