b.hennick

Welcome Harry. As a quick read of the forum will show most of us recommend that you buy some books before buying swords. There is a recommended list in the FAQ. Regards, Barry Hennick

Be well Carlo we miss your insights. Regards, Barry Hennick

I was lucky enough to be there!

Hi Ken: Same iron sand, same charcoal, same smelter, same knowledge, same experience.... Too many variables to get perfect. If it were easy it would have been done many times over. Regards, Barry

Thanks for the usable format. I have put the information into a spreadsheet. The font is 10 point. DTI 2016 reformatted.xlsx

Thanks once again Peter. The font on this pdf is 3.5. Can someone post either a word doc or docx of this file or a pdf with a larger font? Regards, Barry Hennick

I have heard of lacquer being used to fill pits rather than the usual umegane. Regards, Barry Hennick

Glad that you like them. The JSSUS is always looking for good material to publish in the Newsletter. If you are thinking of writing an article I would be happy to facilitate things.

This is part of an ongoing series in the JSSUS Newsletter.

For some strange reason Lulu isn't sending me codes. Please feel free to add as you get them. This is from Markus Sesko All print books are 30% off and that is usually as good as it gets, using the code OCTHIRTY (all caps).Good until Oct. 24th

Thanks John and Franco! I appreciate the efforts you took on my behalf. It is interesting that you both have the same second character with different readings.

Please let me know what you think this mei reads. I got Kane yuki. Some differences in both characters so I'm unsure. Thanks! Barry Hennick

I have seen amateur polished sword where the mune has been rounded off to make a "mostly maru" mune. Look carefully for it may be a sign of a poor polish. Regards, Barry Hennick

How about a $10 contribution for 10 years. I'll start this off. Some might say "Put your money where your mouth is." Regards, Barry Hennick

As a science teacher I often had to repair electroscopes (used to test static electricity charge) with gold leaf. The gold leaf was relatively inexpensive. It truly worked amazingly well.

As a retired science teacher I appreciate this approach that you are taking. If the equipment is not invasive and portable perhaps it could be used on papered pieces at a sword show or even DTI.

I suggest that you try this. Look at all the iron tsuba for sale in our sale section. Compare tsuba in these artificial categories less than $500, $500 or more but less than $1000, over $1000 and finally this tsuba http://www.nihonto.ca/nobuie/index.html Nobuie is considered to be one of the best if not the best tsuba maker. I think that you will find that one $1000 tsuba is worth more than 10 $100 tsuba. You could repeat looking at soft metal tsuba. Finally buy books and their translation.

Welcome! You will find this a friendly forum with many knowledgeable members. Regards, Barry Hennick

Thanks Ray!

I need some help with the mei below. Tada and Ju are all that I'm getting... Thanks! Regards, Barry Hennick

Hello I had a stand made that had a circular opening on the left upright. The corresponding opening on the right side had a slotted circular insert that could rotate. That allowed the blade to be angled for the best viewing. The stand was made of puces that were fastened together when set up. Sorry I don't have photos but will take some next week. Any plastics fabricator can make you one. Regards, Barry Hennick

Is this currently available for sale? If so, who sells them and what is the price? I would love to show this at a meeting of my sword club. Regards, Barry Hennick

HI Ed: Bob never said that it had been submitted. It was his opinion that it "would never go juyo". He has submitted more blades than most people as he submits blades for others in addition to his own submission.

Several years ago Bob Benson had a Norishige katana with tokubetsu hozon papers for sale for $25k It had a kirikomi in the edge. The V shape shows contact with another blade. Bob said that with the kirikomi the blade would never go juyo. Here is a case where the blade's value certainly was lowered by the kirikomi. Not only lowered but also limited. It was a good Norishige that I would have been happy to own if it didn't have the kirikomi. Simple answer to your question yes it does detract.

I got to visit Willis Hawley in the 1980s after his robbery. My cousin, who lived in LA at the time, took us to Hawley's house. My cousin was a cabinet maker as was Hawley. I think that the two of them talked about tools as much as we talked about swords and books. I had been buying books from Hawley for many years, so a phone call from LA, was all that was needed to set up the visit. The video brought back memories. Just before coming to this post I looked up a smith in Hawley's big brown book of smiths for someone. His work is still appreciated by collectors.