nickm

I appreciate the replies and the advice. I imagine with this signature translation it will likely go for more than I care to spend on it. If a $1000 will get it I will buy it but it is actually at auction on May 10th so I assume it is going to go for a fare share. Going to hold out for a World War II sword with an old or mystery blade.. Speaking of which I have found a few lately at small auction houses relatively locally that are legitimately afraid of taking the handle off. Seem in no way knowledgeable about these swords and have fears of hurting the blade.. of course I know that is silly but I'm wondering if that is something you guys encounter from time to time? How much to gamble on something unknown?

While I am not versed in this if you cant find the rice mentioned above arborio rice is also very high in gluten and likely easier to find if thats what is needed in the process..

fun.. EBay is an amazing place

I sent him a message questioning the whole handle situation and he sent me a few pictures of course rather blurry but was able to make out a rather clear picture of the blade. Amazingly fake, I will try to post a picture here in a minute

agreed. kinda amazed at how bad looking of a repro.. no real pics of the blade at all

Found this on eBay and in not intending to bed but wondering if it is a badd fake or if someone did the tsuka themself?

In all truth I am relatively new to this and am still learning all the time. Might you have any information or even better web links to things I could read about the European influence? As again I am always trying to learn something new this is a very interesting facet. Not too interested in the influence on armor as I am in the notion of European influence on the swords. Thank you for a new thing for me to ponder

Really like your new acquisition Matt and absolutely love the idea of a ww2 themed daisho set.

yeah seems an odd one. add to that the opening bid is 2500

It says on that link that the sword is unsigned but apparently it was just too faint for them to see it. The pictures I posted here I got from the auction house

https://m.proxibid.com/category/resources/mobile/item.html#search|lot|tachi|tachi|relevance|null|1|none|48481234 Unfortunately it has been withdrawn from the auction. Still up on that site but not at the auction house and I have spoken with the firearms department of the auction house confirmed that the owner was looking for a valuation not consignment. I have also made attempts to contact the owner but they seem to be efforts in futility.. The same owner had the nodachi That is also still up on that site but is now no longer for sale as well. I really liked that 1 as a course it is all beaten up but was going to be awesome to have all the same

Sorry man, had no intentions of casting a dark cloud on europes rich history in nihonto. I always thought it was more of a Japanese thing.. I'm a touch surprised that in your 40 years of collecting you haven't come across a good polisher but I guess always good to start the search some time.. I wish you the absolute best of luck I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

You will find as I have that on this forum and likely at nbthk meetings these people are truly passionate about the preservation of these blades. It will be hard to find many that will want to steer you a direction that even may do the blade harm.

from what I have read and seen an amateur can make the blade "look pretty" to someone who doesnt know any better. Often though while making it look nice they will ruin the geometry of the blade, cause dips and valleys when looking down the blade, expose core steel etc.. If it were easy to do it right it wouldnt be expensive. Years ago before I knew better i sent a sword to an amateur that was well reputed and thought he did a great job. I was really impressed with the look of it. Long after I showed it to a gentleman more knowledgable and he showed me the various ways the polish likely ruined the blade. Lesson learned

Given the pictures in the idea of the date?

O wow. Didn't realize I had already stumbled on to this 1. So it goes and evidence I have been doing entirely too much Internet digging lately. Taking a break

pics would help i imagine..

Found this online. I would appreciate the help with translation and as is seemingly the right thing after about every tenth bother I will be making a donation to the board today for the invaluable service its members provide.

Funny how it worked out.. Seems looking for affirmation more than education..

You kind of blow my mind on a regular basis ray

Came across this on the Internet and is labeled as unsigned but there is a very faint signature at the bottom of the suriage blade. I would imagine this is illegible but I figured I would post it as I have been amazed at what some of you guys have been able to decipher from nothing. Thanks in advance for looking and again I have no high hopes but am always ready for a surprise

Along these lines and I will also post it in the want to buy section if anyone has a katana of the shape that they would like to part with I would love to see some pictures and some prices

i appreciate it ken. A good read and a beautiful sword

well bob is of the opinion its likely gimie.. sad times and the search continues..

So I'm on vacation and have been doing a lot of reading which has led me to asking a lot of questions so I apologize for that but I guess so it goes. Wondering about this shape. Saw a Tanto recently and love the shape and wondering do they exist in katana? I have read some things about the Yamato school maybe having made some but haven't been able to find any pictures or anything of that sort which leads me to think they don't exist.. Seems like it would be a logical way to lighten a tachi as opposed to bohi Any information as always would be very greatly appreciated and thank you in advance for the education