Jock

Does it have a kaeri (return) or is it Yakizume (running straight to the mune)? _________________ Jean Hi Jean, I twisted and turned the blade in different angles in the light until my eyes popped out - and yes there is a 1mm wide (and then getting thiner and thiner) return for about 3.5 -4 cm Jock

Hi Jean, My apology but this is the best I can do - always wonder how people can show details on pics in such amazing ways - maybe I need a better cam.... PC140233.jpg shows the boshi as it is - I turned the blade to change the angle of the light - no better pic. but you are right you can see the boshi on this pic. Jock

Hi Reinhard, Rather harsh your approach towards some of the people who commented above - being german myself I sense your origin might be of the same geographical area - Germans are oten 100% direct without consideration for other peoples feelings - in dealing with the anglo saxon race this can often be understood rather offensive....just a little bit of wisdom that I learned traveling the world and living in different countries..... I collected custom made knives before I came across my first Japanese sword - a custom made knife has no tempered edge and is usually lacking the love for the detail that is found in jap blades - well a custom made higher grade steel knife is about $400 = no history - no tempered edge etc so in comparrison I believe I bought higher quality for less money + can contribute to preserve some historical piece of art that might have ended up as a gardening tool - surely 98% of the "so-called" Japanese blades on ebay are some form of fakes - but you get the odd genuine one - of which I believe it is worth preserving. And additionally may I say that some do not have $10k spare to spend it on a hobby and might just choose this road to obtain a low grade jap blade for their pleasure..... In short (maybe based on my limited knowledge) I do not understand your approach above... Regards, Jock

...last one... Jock

Hi Mark, Following, as requested, tang pics... Jock Jock

....I personally did quite a few cutting tests on a human body - never through the hips - allways on a finger and always on a finger that was attached to my body - the pain/blood kept me from trying to cut through my shoulders or hips....maybe in the future when I'm really brave and use my hips or neck to clean a blade! Jock

.....very impressed guys - that is really taking this science further - looking at a sword and be able to tell the owner who made it, where and when - but you guys are a step further and have the ability to "sense" all the previous owners......impressed indeed! ) 10 out of 10 - I bought it from Mike/komonjo I'm allways stunned how one single individual can source such a vast amount of genuine swords - satisfy my interest and tell me where he gets all his blades from... Jock

Hi Folks, I have a Wak and the lacquer on the saya has some big open areas... any links were I can read how to fix that? Thanks heaps! Jock

...some more pics.... Can you tell me if this is classified as a tanto or a Wak - and how does one (in such a case) know the difference? Jock

...some more pics.... Jock

Hi fellow fanatics, I saw the following blade on ebay for "buy now" $175 and couldn't resist - it has a 2 mm straight temperline along the cutting edge and an interesting tang (pics follow soon) - looks quite slim - some idiot mutilated the habaki with a hammer or similar tool - couldn't figure out why..... Appreciate your opinion ... Jock

I believe it helps to attached the pic....sorry... Jock

...and there is the following mon on the saya - what does this mean? Thanks a lot! Jock

Hi Folks, Just wanted to show you my new blade (Kyushu Higo Dotanuki Kozuke no suke and dated 1596) Let me know your thoughts - I love it! Jock

Hi Folks, Just bought a Wak and would like to ask for your much appreciated help concerning the tang inscription and any input concerning the smith... Thanks heaps! Jock

Hi Folks, Just bought the following sword and wondered if any of you can tell me anything about the Tsuba Saya Fittings etc? http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-Antique-Ful ... 2ea9a1d526 Ebay Item number: 200414450982 Thank you very much! Regards, Jock

Hi Folks, Just bought a sword and would like your knowledgable opinion about it: ebay Item number: 200414450982 or following link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-Antique-Ful ... 2ea9a1d526 Any comment is appreciated! Thanks folks! Jock

Hi Stephen, Thanks to you I found a few kanehisa smiths - but I can't find the first 2 kanjis - please help Regards, Jock

Hi Stephen, Thanks for your help as allways.....if I conclude that you saved your pic as Kanehisa.jpg I migt asume that this would be the answer.... right? ) Jock

Hi Folks, I got this one - sadly haven't got a better pic of tang....any thoughts on it? Thanks heaps Regards, Jock

Hi folks, Who is able to help me with this one? Any input concerning this smith is highly appreciated... Thanks Regards, Jock

pic of the tang:

Hi Folks, I'd appreciate your help with the pics below....I think it is a sword made by Asano Kanezane and try to find out in which period he signed his swords like that - no stamp Thanks for any input Regards, Jock

Hi folks, Just in case you are interested: ebay item No: 180295061554 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0295061554 Regards, Jock

folks, for me (as I found after a deep search) it comes from the fact that my mum told me during my childhood: "Behave and be nice and you get a toy!" As I always behave and am 100% nice I believe that I have a right to reward myself with toys constantly... Jock