David Flynn

Well done!

Welcome to both Paul and Any.

Anyone interested in WW11 swords, should find this interesting. http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_120.htm http://www.k3.dion.ne.jp/~j-gunto/

this was just struck incorrectly.

Adrian, glad to hear you listened.

G'day Ernst and welcome

Harry, this is not at traditionally made sword, so you should post in the military sword section. The black paint are just assembly numbers.

Harry, polishing is expensive. If these swords have Showa or Seki stamps, I wouldn't recommend it.

No wonder we keep you on the other side of the country.

Harry, I have never seen a Kojima Katsumasa That isn't a showato. Saying that, I can't see a stamp on the tang.

G'day Harry, Sydney is probably the closest to you. There is myself a few other board members here. Depending on what kind of restoration you are after, Kam Appleford http://www.jigokustudios.com/index.html in Qld is probably who you should contact.

They pull a lot more money than Yasukunito, because of their rarity.

This topic was inspired by Adrian Schlemmer's topic. If the traditional Tatara finished in 1882 (according to Hitachi), Then are swords made between then and the recommissioning of the Tatara in 1933, classed traditional Japanese swords? I'm not talking about Muratato, or similar blades, but blades made by Gassan Sadakazu, Gassan Sadakatsu, Ikkansai Shigetsugu, Toshihide etc.

Australia, Australia

Shall do. P.S. I've never claimed to be a good Buddhist.

As I said Semantics.

Just going on heresay. I was told it was the NCOs who did most of the executions.

Maybe it's semantics, but that was how it read to me. I'm not trying to take sides. As stated earlier I don't care if Borax was used or not.

I personally don't care if Borax was used or not. However, Chris's anecdotal evidence does go a long way. To dismiss this is to virtually call him a Liar!

Well then this should end the speculation on the use of Borax. Till then, all hypothesis are just that.

Does it really matter if Borax was used or not? What does matter is, that a respectable database is built, with all pertinent material available. This includes, signed and dated example along with the chemical analyses.

I see this as an additive to kantei, rather than any hindrance. How many swords that were thought to be Koto, have turned out to be Shinshinto? I know from the Shinsa here in Australia, that there have been quite a few. Of course a database would be essential towards the long term use of this technique. This would be a daunting task in itself however, I can see some very positive aspects, that this procedure may produce. There is always change and if one doesn't change with the times, they are usually left behind.

Congratulations George. Th Munetoshi I have doesn't have a date, numbers or stamps. Just the 2 character signature.

Sorry I've taken so long to get back to you George. My Munetoshi is the same as the one you have posted here after Akihisa. It is signed the same way as the one in John Sloughs' book,page 121

Daniel, unfortunately, the only signature we can be sure of, is signed, Bizen kuni ju ichihara ichiyrushi nagamitisu saku. I have only seen two signed this way and they were truly wonderful swords.