Greg F

I got myself a very nice dogs head hammer from ebay and the seller was so kind he sent me a few bits of steel to work with too. Greg

Hi Jean the contact seller works for me, if you have a problem with it im happy to ask them what ever you like. You can pm me if prefered. Greg

Hi Grant, it has a very nice wet chocolate look to it. I would be interested seeing what someone like Ford's opinion on ithid tsuba is. 98mm is huge. Thanks for sharing. Greg

Its a tough call but either very softly wipe with minimal amount of choji or wait till its a little bigger to use ivory. Im interested to see responses also. Greg

My sincere condolences Jean. Its never easy losing a loved one. Greg

Incredible find thanks Michael. Greg

Unfortunately I cant make it there this Sunday but will make sure I get there soon. I would love to have met other members there, I hope you all enjoy the afternoon. Greg

Excellent video and as always very informative and inspirational work, thank you Ford. Greg

Omar to capture better hamon pics try as you said a dark room with a single light. While playing around with different angles with the light its a good way to really get a good look and appreciate hamon. Enjoy. Greg

I like the soaring dragons in the sky picture. Cheers Pete. Greg

Thanks for the very interesting thought provoking topic Ray. Brian you bring up very interesting questions about the future. I just wonder how many blades are already out there that have been repaired and polished to the point of disguising the weld. I can see how an owner would want to get hagire fixed but one would hope its not hiden by polish for future owners to know what theyre getting. In the future if it is so well done that its as strong as before the hagire and cant be seen then I suppose its not quite as bad but I would always want to know what im getting. What a complex world Nihonto collecting is huh. Greg

When using modern steel as I believe this is, a lot of smiths quench for a few seconds in water and then in oil which can give some of the details in the hamon of a water quench while greatly reducing the risk of cracking. The first knife I tried to produce a hamon with I used water and it had many cracks (over heated too) and since then Ivd usec the water to oil quench and no problems since while also getting some nice detail. Greg

Hi Raynor your blade looks like a t10 steel blade to me made in china. Ideal for if you are to learn how to use a Japanese sword. A lot of us started out with modern repro style swords before being sucked down the whirlpool of Nihonto study and collecting. All the best. Greg

It amazes me every time that people can get through life with out learning and gaining manners. Grrrr just breathe. Greg

Thanks very much Mark, I will work it out and get back to you asap. Much appreciated. Greg

Hello all, has anyone looked at komonjo lately? Now is your chance to get a Masamune or Muramasa dirt cheap lol. Greg

Dwain i wouldnt read too much into the bohi ending. Mine is on a mumei sword from last 20 years. Greg

I spend alot (too much) time on ebay and dont remember ever seeing this seller. Blade pics are very dark. Greg

I have a katana with the same bohi end in the same place. Greg

Nice sword, sayagaki and Tokubetsu hozen at that price its going to go fast. Greg

Hi Dwain, I quite like it. There is a program on Nhk tv call ukiyo-e about woodblock prints that is quite educational and funny too. If my memory serves me correctly theres an episode that explains when blue was introduced in the early 1800's and was from europe i think. The great Hokusai used it in his 6 views of Mt Fuji. Anyway enjoy. Greg

The more I look at it the more im convinced its been acid use on this blade. A shame indeed as it is a nice blade but would look much better with out it. Kinda like a lot of beautiful actresses that get plastic surgery and over do it. I hope you are able to get it corrected by a Japanese trained polisherand we get to see it in its full glory. Greg

To me it looks a little like they've used acid on the hamon bug could be the pics maybe. Others will know more. Greg

Mark if that suits yourself and others I would do my best to try and make it down for that. I need to reschedule work and talk to a friend and some family I would be visiting to get all done in one trip so hopefully we can work out if thats the best time for you and others soon. Very much lookinb forward to seeing this and medting any Nmb members also. Greg

Hi Ted I must've forgot they dont issue papers to living smiths. Hi Jeremiah I would have to agree with you there. Thanks guys. Greg