Michaelr

WOW! That is a beautiful set up. To me that is the best way to enjoy your blades and Koshira. Great job. Thank you for sharing MikeR

All makes a lot of sense and all good points. Thank you so much for your response. MikeR

Ok not to change or steal Shane’s original post but what about displaying bare blades on a rack? If the blade is kept oiled and the temperature is somewhat controlled and the humidity is somewhat controlled can they be left out to enjoy? ( I use the word somewhat to imply that this is in a home, in a separate room, where the temperature mostly consistent and a dehumidifier is on 24-7). I know that museums have very controlled environments but I see blades stored this way so they can be enjoyed by all. Thank you MikeR

Very nice. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Thank all of you. I will try and get some more information and some pictures. MikeR

Thank you John. It appears that what I was looking at was Zohei-To. I was told by the seller that the one in the 94 mounts was signed but non-traditional blade and the one in the 98 mounts was also signed but traditionally made blade. I am going to see if I can get any more information from the seller. Is the Zohei-To common or fairly uncommon? I don’t think that I have seen many myself. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, so as Bruce suggested, Brian please move this post to where ever it should be. MikeR

As I am not into either one but want to learn about both my question is: what is the difference between a bare KYU blade and a bare NCO blade. To me as a novice who has not really studied these they both appear similar. I have never had a opportunity to be shown or told the difference nor a opportunity to compare both side by side. With that being said is it possible to find these blades mounted in 94 mounts? If this I has been discussed here before please excuse the question and point me in the right direction as I have tried to search every way I could but had no luck. Thank you MikeR

Great read. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Go back 5 post and reread what Mark S. posted. I think that says alot for many collectors especially new collectors just starting or others maybe on a limited budget. Buy books, yes they are expensive but will be your best investment. After you have a few books and a little bit of understanding then go back and read Mark S. again. At that point you should be off to a good start. Come back to this board as often as you can and read as much as you can because you have the best people with the most knowledge right here. Good luck MikeR

I am not sure what you have and sorry I can’t help with any of the details but I really like it. Hope it turns out to be more that you expected. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Looks great. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Thank you both very much. MikeR

I recently purchased a early NCO sword with the brass Tsuba, and aleather tassel with the buckle was attached to the sword. Looking at the way it was attached I knew something wasn’t right, only the tongue piece of leather was through the Sarute. Now my question, I can’t seem to figure out how to install the tassel the correct way as the buckle end will not fit through the Sarute. It looks to me that I will have to remove the Sarute to run both pieces of the leather tassel through and then reinstall the Sarute. Is this correct or am I completely missing something? Thank you in advance MikeR

WOW Thank you both so much for the smiths information. I am great full MikeR

I was told that sometimes they were carried by the pilots, but you know how that goes, anything is possible. I was also told by a high end Japanese sword expert/collector that a few that he had seen when the leather was removed it revealed information on the Saya. No way I will ever attempt to remove the leather from mine to find out. Also originally on mine the mekugi was completely covered and the leather had to be carefully cut to remove it to check for a signature Glad you are enjoying these two Tantos MikeR

Not sure Bruce but I think it is someone’s SSN? I wonder if I can look that up? MikeR

Thank you so much MikeR

Ok I just returned home and took some pictures of a similar Tanto that I own as promised. I don’t know if anyone can make out the mei but I got it the best that I could. Hope you enjoy

WOW I think it is a GREAT SWORD with a GREAT HAMON and would be proud to own it myself. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful MikeR

Wow Great sword with Great mounts. Lucky find. Thank you for sharing MikeR

I like it. Thank you for sharing MikeR

Received the sword today and it is beautiful. A GREAT SWORD FROM A GREAT SELER. Thank you Mark MikeR

I own a very similar one and will post some pictures when I return home. I love it, thank you for sharing MikeR

WOW😲 congratulations. Sounds like it was a great show especially for you. Everything you showed us is beautiful and I would be proud to be the caretaker. Again congratulations and thank you for sharing MikeR

Ok just my 2 cents. I have been into collecting military stuff, US, German,And Japanese, since I was 10 years old. I am 69 years old now. What I have always found over all those years is that the high class- high priced items revolve in a small circle. Even the price of those items fluctuate but they seem to fluctuate the least. Next you find the middle of the road items ( with no disrespect to anyone ) where most people seem to float. This area is the area of Great items at Great prices that most of us can afford and appreciate. This section seems to take the greatest hit when things around change. It seems to be the first section to see increases when times are good and the first section to see the decreases when times turn bad. The last area that we find is the entry level, lower condition- lower desirable items that ALL can afford. This area never seems to fluctuate. EVERYONE can afford to be in this area. When times are tuff we all justify a little stash just to go out and keep us in the circle and we can always find something in this area to take home. I think at this time we are in that down turn of the second-center section. A few years ago that same section was seeing a Great upward movement. I learned over all these years to BUY THE BEST THAT I COULD AFFORD, TO BUY WHAT I ENJOY AND WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY And it has worked well for me. I have sold items over the years for less than I paid BUT the look on the new owners face, having just spent all the money they had more than made up for my loss. Enjoy what you have, buy the best that you can afford and don’t sweat the ones that got away. I always take the time to enjoy the ones that I can’t afford and consider myself lucky to have been given that opportunity. Getting into Japanese Swords was the best thing that I ever did as the people that you meet, NO MATTER WHAT AREA THEY REVOLVE IN are ALWAYS willing to spend time with you and share what they know. Thank you to ALL HERE ON THE FORUM that have helped me along this journey, to the late Bob Elder from the Orlando Show that was always there for me, to Martin from Pa ,to Jim from Fla. and to Ray and Mark MikeR