Louie Skebo

Sorry-, very busy here, I'll get you info this coming week. Thanks for your patience. louie

Hi All, with other interests taking precedence I'll be selling off my polishing stones and equipment, I only bought the best stones for polishing and have many, as well as many pounds of finger stones and other very hard to find polishing equipment. Too much to list so please PM me with requests. Located in Canada. Pictured are Komanagurado and uchigumori as examples. Cheers. Louie

Hey Dirk! I hope all is well. Louie

I could be wrong but it looks acid etched, might be just the light.

Like John said. This is better than the touristy garbage or even poor quality Boy's day celebration blades I've seen.

Even if a blade develops an issue in the foundation stage it doesnt mean it is "not in the clear", it just means it has developed an issue in the foundation stage. Many swords are polished with flaws and 'eyesores' but we still love them anyway, usually the merchant decides whether or not to continue with the polish based on ROI. All that being said most major issues can be detected before the blade hits the stone or shortly there after. But as Franco says cautiously optimistic is always a good approach, and I do like Richards verve, I still love every blade I buy and touch. I used to focus on papers then realized I enjoyed looking at the sword more. Cheers and enjoy your sword! I bet you wonder what is under there right....it will keep you up at night! I have about 15 like that:) Louie

Im glad this turned out for you, most times blades are written off on forums they turn out just fine. All the best. louie

Please don't all your faith in the grading system, if you submit a mumei blade 5 different times to the same organization over a period of time you will probably get 2-5 different attributions - i think this has been tested:) Of course when the blade papers to a higher ranked smith we tend to put more faith into that attribution though. The fact it was judged as being re-tempered this time around and not on the green papers does lead one to speculate certain things. As with doctors please do seek a second opinion and then just enjoy the sword and mounts...re-tempered or not. Cheers. louie

Please dont touch this blade. just oil it, do not attempt to remove the rust. even if you start "making" parts for it you could damage it. It is worthy of restoration from a cursory picture look. Cheers. Louie

LOL, now that is funny!

Hi Grey, yes of course but who knows what goes through ones mind. Is it possible that this was done to lengthen the nakago for whatever reason? If you squeeze it or pound it on the top edge it would force the bottom down, the beat the bottom and force the top up. Sounds crude - but to get a sword out the door and money in hand - desperate times...beater blades etc etc. I've asked a good friend in Japan I'm waiting for the answer. And yes it is crude but ive seen worse like Grev says. Cheers!

I know it looks like that but these are deliberate marks, large pieces removed - about the size of your thumb, those pics are of two different swords not the same one. I have seen others like that as well. Someone told me years ago about it just can't remember. Cheers. Louie

Yes O-suriage but I'm wondering about the large hammered areas on the nakago, ive seen this on several blades over the years and just wondering if a remounting thing or...... Thanks Ken!

Hey Everyone, I've seen nakago like this over the years but I cannot remember what it is called, anyone remember, and the origins? Thanks! Louie

Darcy, I see you were at my wedding, should have stopped by to introduce yourself:) Cheers. L

Oil it.

Thanks Brian, good point, also nice to see who is active as well. I've created a Facebook page for Canadian Collectors, feel free to join fellas! Louie

Let's see if these pics turn out. I think yours is not hagire.

In ottawa here.

I've "repatinated" many nakago which have been stripped by knuckleheads, signatures removed, or from reshaping or shortening for various reasons, all had no issues at shinsa. None of it is favorable but necessary sometimes.

Hey all, how many Canadian collectors do we have on here? Cheers! Louie

Rust or patina? Active rust is bad and needs to be stopped, removing the patina or natural aging is bad. it would have to be re-aged.

It looks ominous, not exactly like hagire, if it cant be seen on the other side that is a good sign. oil the blade and leave it for a little while, watch and see if the oil creeps in when you sight down the blade into the light. hagire will affect the surface tension of the oil. I have a blade with hagire and will try to show you later. I suspect it is the same effect as is seen in other areas on the blade - like a spider rust or weird scratch. Louie

The tsuba is very nice!

Thanks Chris!