obiwanknabbe

just a few from a few years ago.. but here ya go... oh.. and the Mei What you cant see in the pic is that the previous "custodian" ahem... cough..... used a belt sander to remove the cutting edge. David did a spectacular job in reviving this piece of history.

a few more shots...

Like a kid on Christmas morning I opened the package containing my Mano Masayasu Gendaito, sent back to me from Mr. David Hofhine, . I tried to take some good close up shots which capture some of the more interesting features. I was able to capture some, but i dont have a DSLR, so it was hard to focus on some of the detail. Even so, i hope you enjoy looking. Please feel free to comment about anything you see or ask any questions. Kurt Knabbe

Oh it is definitely Celluliod. You cant see it in the pic, but under Fuchi the material is apparent. Its smooth molded plastic. Also, I will mention as an advisory, this material happens to be highly flammable. There was a little piece that had broken off a while back that i tested (i seemed to recall hearing something about early plastics causing fires.) This stuff burns like old gunpowder. That could perhaps be used as a storage safety tip . Kurt k

While this is an old thread, i thought that I would add another data point. I have a higher grade Mano Masayasu Gendaito in marine mounts that has BLACK celluloid samegawa. Anyone ever see this before? Related, what is the best way to clean this? As you can see there are many years of grime accumulated between the ito and the samegawa. Kurt K

Bry7831, we will need good clear pictures of the entire blade to help you answer your question. Also, as per board rules, please add a full name so that we can address you properly. kurt k

Sorry my friend, you have a Chinese fake. Please see the attached file. We always recommend that you buy books before you buy blades. Its the best way to avoid getting burnt. http://jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html Regards, Kurt K

3 paypal support units sent to reinforce the front lines.. Kurt k

I think im seeing evidence of Muneyaki? Would this help point to a more specific school? Kurt K

Thanks Joe... I only have $400.00 Usd into this sword. I got it on the cheep at a NY antique shop from a guy who had no clue what it really was (to be fair at the time I was only slightly better informed). I know Masayasu is not a top 1% maker though, as noted, this is not his typical work. I think I will go ahead with it. I dont intend to sell it anytime soon. I consider my blades a long term investment. Plus, i get to enjoy the heck out of in the meantime and share the process with all my friends here. Kurt K

Just wanted to follow up on this old thread. I have finally gotten to the top of my polishers list (after 2 years) and am curious what all of you think about submitting this particular sword for restoration? Kurt K

then i was way off. Note to self. Learn to read Kanji. Kurt.k

You will laugh but I saw one of these in an Anime Episode "Rorouni Kenshin". In the show it was a Buddhist prayer/memorial for deceased children. Its possible that there is some religious significance to it. Just a shot in the dark. Kurt K Something similar in shape http://cdn.calisphere.org/affiliates/images/css/kt1199q254/hi-res/jc30b-03.jpg

Guess i better go get myself a Gold Sharpie. It will drastically increase the value of my entire collection!! Kurt.k

This is just about the funniest thing i have seen in a while posted up on Ebay. It has taken away my ability to "even". i didnt realize they had gold sharpie pens in the Edo period! He says he cant translate the Kanji of the signature but can read about a body cutting test. Oh the pain.. . the pain. http://www.ebay.com/itm/edo-ww2-Japanese-samurai-sword-katana-cutting-through-3-human-body-test-/151797104045?hash=item2357cffdad Kurt k

The funny thing is that without this completely rediculous gimei (poorly executed as well as just not even close with the mounts), this sword may have actually been worth something. Now its just ruined. KURT K

is it not odd, in of itself, that there is a Yokote line on a hirazukuri blade? Kurt K

Could you post a close up of that stamp/Mei? Kurt K

I have a theory. I think he may have alternated the density of the steel in the forging process and in doing so, he brought about a situation where the bare steel would harden with great enough variation so as to elicit a hamon. Thoughts? Kurt k

Thats the one! Thanks so much...

Hello friends, Some time ago there was a video posted (i am almost positive it was here on our beloved board) of a master Japanese sword smith crafting a new Katana using nails that were donated from a very old temple which was being renovated. Of personal interest, there was a portion of the video that states he was able to elicit a controlled, and very beautiful, hamon without the use of clay during yaki iri. Does anyone have a link to this video? I have been looking for days and just cant find it. Thanks in advance.. Kurt K

My worst purchase ever was my first purchase ever in 1994. It was a Kane Mitsu Gunto, in type 94 mounts, that I bought from the Ebay dealer Augustcornell (who will forever eat through a straw if ever i find out who he really is). It was described as razor sharp, in good polish, and in great shape. Back in the day digital camera pics were very low resolution so it was hard to tell otherwise. When it came, the saya was taped together with black electrical tape (could not see in pics as saya was black) handle was broken, Nakago was ground with a sander and then reblued to look like it had an aged patina, and the blade looked like it had been worked over with a rock. I contacted the seller who claimed it must have been the wrong item that was shipped to me and that I should return it for a refund....... Which i did.... for a refund that never came. He made off with my $450 USD, which was a ton of money to sophomore in high school, and i never heard from him again. This was before paypal and buyers insurance so i was up the creek with no paddle. Total loss. All these years later and it still gets my blood boiling when i think about it. Kurt K

The easy catch is the date. ALL Mantetsu swords use the zodiacal dating system. This one does not. Also it is lacking the outward, diamond shaped, flaring of the mune above the boshi (i do not know the actual term if someone can clue me in). Kurt k

Please correct me if I am mistaken, but the term Naginata may not apply here. Nagamaki perhaps? Or a hybrid thereof? Kurt K

No Dadoffour.. That is the name of the smith. Ido Hidetoshi was a showa-gifu smith who worked at the Fukumoto Amahide gunto factory. Slough rates him as having made low to medium grade Showato (non traditionally made blades) and Gendaito (traditionally made blades). With the seki stamp present, you have an example of his Showato work. Hope that helps, Kurt K