Mark S.

That’s one of those situations when you can say “yeah, but you should see the other guy”

Sue-Bizen? maybe Sukesada?

Have also heard of wrapping firearm in a ton of paper towels or other absorbent material and placing in a black plastic bag and placing on the dashboard of a car out in full sun in the middle of summer. Never tried it…

I remembered that too and it took me a while to find it. It was at the Usagiya website under Information/flaws of blades at bottom. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/flaws.html

Oh well… this thread died a horrible death. Maybe I’ll try again when it comes back from polish or next year after Shinsa.

And a good polisher will know how much material will need to be removed to get rid of the kirikomi and advise you accordingly… let their trained advice be your guide.

I appreciate that Roger (and no... you are not a nobody... no one is a nobody, that’s ridiculous)... and normally I would gratefully accept advice and I’m not normally ‘riled’. It’s just that our ‘friend’ has been doing this a bit lately and my patience (as well as others I think) is a bit limited with it. I almost expected his response and in the manner it was given. He enjoys it. In fact, a couple comments in my first post were tailored for this individual knowing what would happen. I was right. I won’t waste any more time with him. And I do apologize for coming across as angry or argumentative. But I still appreciate anyone who wants to look, have a bit of fun, and SPECULATE.

So from my first post where I said: . “I know there were MANY Mino smiths, so picking one is probably just a guess, but Ithought the exercise was fun.” Did you miss that on purpose? Of course it’s just speculation. As has been said before... could you give it a rest FFS.

Yes... next year’s NTHK-NPO Shinsa in Chicago.

More comparisons

Comparisons

AOI Kanekage

At the recent Chicago show, I picked up a very inexpensive mumei wakizashi. It has been sent for a polish. While waiting, I figured I would entertain myself and try to do a little research. When I started looking at Mino blades, I came across a blade at AOI Art that is attributed to Kanekage. I know there were MANY Mino smiths, so picking one is probably just a guess, but I thought the exercise was fun. I’ll be interested to see how it matches up after polish. And yes, I already know Mino are not high on everyone’s list and that some may not think it worth the money. Can we just agree to that up front and not have that argument? I’ll start with pics of my out of polish blade. I forgot to take overall shape picture. Shape is very close to AOI example.

MicroDear seems to be most recommended. Available on Amazon.

Mr Hallam, Thank you so much for taking a few moments to add your knowledge and expertise to this thread and commenting on my rather everyday tsuba. I know you’re used to a different level of tosogu but thank you for your time.

I will say I have used Mr Benson’s uchiko on very out of polish blades. One bit of advice I was given was to hold the blade relatively horizontal and to lightly strike the uchiko ball along the mune of the blade and let dust settle on the upper surface of the blade. Then turn blade over and do again. This limits the starburst and drag marks on the faces of the blade. It does nothing for improper wiping. Once again... I stress... very out of polish/stained blades.

Another point of view from Darcy Brockbank https://blog.yuhindo.com/uchiko-considered-harmful/

Thank You!

Not questioning, just trying to learn. I thought it was Okayama (based on the context of what I could read)... but the Oka on the nakago looks nothing like the Oka 岡 kanji I normally see?

I read (top to bottom) Bi zen ? yama ju Kuni mune

Funny you mention his name... I was going to make a joke earlier that I just hoped he wasn’t off somewhere screaming into a pillow about my efforts so far...

I am confused... I always thought a traditionally trained polisher works to restore the blade ‘as it should be’ for the smith/school and that it is returned to the owner in the condition the polisher intended? I find it difficult to believe I could ‘improve’ anything someone with all that experience and training had already done? If the polish requires more work to make ‘better’ or ‘more perfect’, then to what quality/standard is the polisher working toward? I thought we were having blades polished to bring out everything that can/should be seen? Are we saying the polisher isn’t capable of that... but somehow I am? I’m not being argumentative... just confused about this.

I’ve also read Jimmy Gilbert’s article that states washing tsuba with mild soap and water is ok and that even boiling is acceptable. Not sure I wanted to go there? I’ve seen that boiling can turn some of the red rust to the more desirable black? I know there are several threads regarding all this, and did not mean to rehash all that info. I was however willing to accept all advice/criticism of my current efforts though. Thanks everyone so far and open to hearing more.

I was concerned about the moon inlay and the tiny gold/silver dew drops(?) would be polished and the high points (especially the grasses) would have patina rubbed even more? I’ve never done the back pocket thing so don’t know the overall effect.

And just for future reference, until you know the blades aren’t real, laying them on rocks for pictures won’t do them any favors. If these are the seller’s pictures, that should tell you a lot...