16k

I'll let you know, I have contacted him.

There you go!

That’s why I said it looked unusual for a shinae, Barry. I even wonder if this might not be some sort of blister.

Third edition, Grey. At least, that’s what I think it is! It is a soft bound book. That’s the edition I have.

Thank you, but this picture is on NMB. I’ve checked the original eBay listing and that one doesn’t show for me. As for the flaw, and although that usually look a bit different, could this be a Shinae?

Paul, aren’t Sunagashi supposed to be the same color as the Hamon? I thought those dark, short lines were Kinsuji.

Has the picture with the flaw been removed? I can’t see it in the pictures listing...

Personally, and probably erroneously, I would call them Kinsuji.

I think that Brian is correct. For a long time, swordsmiths seem to have had issues recreating Midare Utsuri and were only able to reproduce Accidentally faint Bo Utsuri (at least that’s what I’ve read), but now, they seem to have rediscovered it. Also, there are “fake” Utsuri created by polishers. It was discussed in a thread before and Nakahara discusses it in his Facts and Fundamentals.

What I think is weird about those wavy Hamon is that the Hamon look just like the type of Hamon you’d have on a Seki made blade. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are fake Mantetsu, but I wonder if they were actually made in Manchuria or at the Seki factory.

Sorry, I didn’t see the link to imgur. Well, it certainly has some age to it. Eagerly awaiting for better pictures.

You’ll need to show much, much more to get an opinion. We can’t even see a Hamon here!

Wow, that spider tsuba is awesome. First time I see one like that!

Yeah, there’s not much else I can do but cry! I could win the lottery, but... wait! I don’t play. I guess that you need to rob banks, marry a rich widow, become a hired killer or sell bth kidneys, three even if you can find a donor to collect nice swords. So I’m left with crying rivers...

Oh, I do agree that the price is right, I’m just crying at my empty pockets.

I drooled... saw the price... cried.

Yes, Paul, you are right, of course. It is indeed to early and only time will tell. However, I’m not as optimistic as you are after having skimmed and read part of the draft. It was my impression that already before Brexit, exporting swords to UK from a non Euro area had become more difficult for safety reasons. Now that you guys are an international destination for us, it’s bound to create more hassle. Stuff will be opened, X-rayed, and might be returned to sender or confiscated. Besides, how do you prove you aren’t selling a sword and actually are sending it for restoration? It’s a bit too easy don’t you think? Countries like to collect taxes like the vampires they are!

Hi guys, I wanted to create that thread for European and British people to share their experience with swords and the now soon to be implemented Brexit. It concerns your overall experience as it unfolds: - issues encountered - paperwork needed both to import or export (CN 22?) - what to declare to customs - new tarif codes if any - whatever useful tips you can give. I've intended to send a sword to polish to Scotland this year but I was waiting the whole mess to settle. If I send a sword to the UK, I don’t want the guy who gets it to pay fees and I don’t want to pay fees on something I own in return. Reading the draft of the commercial agreement, I’m not sure goods not manufactured in EU or UK will be exempted from custom fees.

#1: Hada and Hamon. I used to look at Hamon first, now Hada is the first thing I look at. Then, I’ll move on to sugata and hatakari. I don’t care about the mountings. #2: categorizing swordsmiths that vary from their own school characteristics. Although this would be if I ever had had the opportunity to take part in a presentation! #3: can you sell me one? No more seriously I’d simply be curious to follow the whole process and marvel at this kind of chemistry that turns ferrous sand into a masterpiece.

Hi Hale, I would (greatly) recommend reading this book: https://www.amazon.fr/Modern-Japanese-Swords-Swordsmiths-Present/dp/4770019629/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_fr_FR=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&dchild=1&keywords=Modern+Japan+sword&qid=1608371185&sr=8-5 you can probably find it elsewhere at retail value and it will answer a lot of your questions about the revival of swordsmithing before and post war era. An excellent book with history, pictures, blueprints and even interviews of modern smiths.

Agreed, Kanbun it is!

Gunto tsuba is early and usually the kind you find on quality swords. As for the blade, I would agree with the comment for Mid-Muromachi.

It’s as fake as they come: bad blade, no yokote, fittings are crap, tsuba? Man I didn’t know they made some that bad! Now, if he wants to live in a dream, let him be.

First sword is indeed a late NCO sword. Second one looks old indeed but you’ll have to post pictures of the blade without Habaki, flat, and seen from above so we can judge the age better. It is suriage. Can’t say much more for the moment. Hamon seems to have Mino influence and looks Koto. Hard to say more.

Not by him of course, but I think the Hamon is trying to copy Kotetsu's.