Rickisan

Adam- I think you did a great job on the pictures....nice blade! Rick

Mariusz - Thanks...I'm glad you posted this question. And thanks to the guys that explained it. I would have also called it fake...just because Ive never seen that type of hamon before. I love this site....get to learn something new everyday! Rick

Jean - Very nice ! If your cozy nest should ever come down with "crane flu"....I would kindly adopt 1 of your birds! Rick

Hey Robin - I like it,(nice pics) but cant help you with many details...because still learining myself. I do know the tsuba pictures on your web page are upside down. I'm sure the pro's will chime in soon. Cheers- Rick

Ford, Whatever your decision is...I'm sure we will learn to accept it. Just dont go out like Ringo Star....and ignore the fan mail. Rick

Dear NMB - Almost forgot to thank everyone who commented about my Katana. Yes, shes Machi-Okuri...and apparently not the best, but we all start somewhere. I really do appreiciate the knowledge and advice the board members share with the new guys! Thanks again, and if anyone else has any additional thoughts/comments...feel free to post them! Rick H.

Wow..I like that too...watch out Stephen, i'm gunning for ya! Rick

Shan- I think we are in the same boat....waiting for it to come in! Mine is also in the process...might be done about the same time as yours. I will try to dig up the "old rusty" pics... once I'm near my work computer. Will send them out soon. Rick

Guido, great, and again...thanks a bunch! Rick

Carlo- Thank you very much!! ....still wondering if there was an age limit,(so to speak) for a teen to carry a sword. Thanks again! Rick

Hey Gang - I have what I'm told could be a boys day sword, in the process of polishing. Now that I have a few months to wait....I started wondering about "boy's day swords". A search here came up with a few items, hoping someone might have a little time to give their opinion. If they made them just for boys, is it correct to assume a person/child would have to be a certain age,(back in those days) to have / carry a standard sized blade? Could it possibly be a right of passage to get one, or graduate to the standard size? Also, In the few examples I have read about it seems there were actual ones made by and signed by big name smiths. Possibly common for a parent to commision one for a child? Thanks for entertaining the question, I look forward to any answers or info :D Rick

I like that banner Stevo :D Rick

I can donate an extra book...The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords...in great condition. The items I have in my collection...not many here are interested in, I'm in that low price bracket...that doesnt seem to get many hits :D I'll just stick with buying lots of tickets! Rick

Brian- Thanks! Just wondered how far in advance you start things off, your reply answered everything. Stephen- I might only have "lint" in the bank at the moment... but I'm good at saving up for special occasions! :D Rick

Brian- When do you guys start selling tickets for the big Raffle...like last years event? Feelin' lucky, Rick

Forgive my rookie question...but why would these marks be made?...Just to re-size(tighten) the hitsu ana, to fit the next item? Rick

Thanks Ted! I sure will, cant wait to see what else the paperwork has to say. Stephen also sent a link to a similar looking item by Chikuzen Nobukuni Yoshinao. http://www.genuine-antique-swords.com/s ... shirae.htm Also a similar horimono

Brian - Thanks, hoping the paperwork sheds more light when it arrives. Please forgive my rookie excitement,(first item ever sent for shinsa) Rick

Stephen - I just recieved the results back from Bob Benson. The item came back designated as a wakizashi, Hozon to Chikuzen Nobukuni. If anyone has info they would care to give on Chikuzen Nobukuni, I would be forever thankful. Rick

Hey Wayne - Was it part of the July Shinsa? Just curious....I sent a tanto over...still waiting on the outcome. rick

Sounds good, thanks very much for the info! Rick

Morning Gang!...I just have 2 questions I was hoping someone with time could elaborate on. Lets say you have a Katana with a horimono of a dragon cut into it. 1. If the item sat around uncared for, ...after time, would rust form in the crevices of the horimono also? 2. When people send the same type sword for a polish....would the polish include cleaning of the horimono carvings also, to make it looks new again? Or is that a different type of repair/polish? I know its a goofy question, I just saw a pic of a SOLD item like the one described...and it seemed like the horimono had rust about the same color as the tang, yet the blade was nicely polished. RIck

Dont get me wrong, I feel very honored for the free advice and knowledge shared. As for a new Topic/section...I would vote yes if it was that easy I wouldn't allow the "how to" do this and that, that can be found by a search. But advice, or "does this seem like a sound item, worthy of purchase?"-yes. I have noticed that it usually the same 6 or 7 people that give their 2 cents for the rookie questions, and good or bad its very welcomed. The more interesting the item is....it gets a few more replies. If the question is from one of the big dogs...all other big guys chime in. Nothing worse than being scared to ask - but going for it, asking for the big guns advice advice on a possible item,(good or bad) get only 3 to 5 thumbs up replys...and after the purchase get 50 replies of,"why did you buy that, its a clunker and had been sold back and forth 10 times...everyone knows its bad....and that seller is a scoundrel, why did you buy it from him." Rick ...venting..please dont kick me out I really do love it here :D

I need some advice. Bought a sword, and had the item a couple months. Had some nice high res pics done, then due to other matters realized I needed to sell it. I sent it back to the original seller and upon recieving it he claims its scratched up, and sends me a pic from a 1inch section,(supposedly of the blade) and says, "hope your ready to take a loss when I try and sell it for you at the show, because it really stands out". So, I have some doubt, I know it was packaged correctly, ect...and the pic he sent of damage doesnt really match any part of my blade due to the complex hamon. Plus, I just had high res pics before sending the item. Long story short...asked a few NMB members to snoop around at the show for me, and guess what? No damage to be seen on my item. So, instead of naming names here...or starting a pissing match, what is the advice from the experts..?? Trick

I read somewhere that some of the "bad guys" might copy a picture of someones papers to use on a fake auction. Rick