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Andrew Ickeringill last won the day on April 5 2023
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touken-togishi.com
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Andrew Ickeringill
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Any stats on gimei?
Andrew Ickeringill replied to Mikaveli's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
I’ve not studied rocket science, but if one can tell the difference between two atoms by looking at them under a microscope then it’s not **** kantei!!!!!!!!!!! Obviously, if you know what to look for then it makes it doable. -
What are these blemishes on the hiraji?
Andrew Ickeringill replied to Mikaveli's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
Tobiyaki. -
Interesting sword... may I ask what kind of kanteisho it has?
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Incorrect.
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Question Re: sword straightening
Andrew Ickeringill replied to Utopianarian's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
Straightening the blade is a crucial step of the polishing process, it can also be very risky, so many things can go wrong. Why would anyone advocate a complete amateur to attempt this? No. And to answer the original questions of this thread... - Yes, even very slight bends can be corrected. - By my definition of a slight bend, one or two shouldn’t affect paper levels, I’ve seen them in many a juyo and higher-level blades. -
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Gassan School
Andrew Ickeringill replied to David Flynn's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
I'm not sure of the exact technique used Bryce, but I've had a conversation about it with a smith who uses the same technique on his own "home-made" habaki. Because he's not trained in habaki making, he doesn't have the skills to foil, and said the wash technique was the only way he could apply gold, which was very dangerous... but in typical Japanese fashion, he didn't seem to care much, his health is secondary to his work. I thought it was common knowledge that Sadakatsu made these habaki. I've had discussions on this topic with former mukansa shiroganeshi Miyajima-sensei, as well as students of the Gassan line. I would consider that a definitive source, but others may only consider that hearsay, all depends on perspective. -
Gassan School
Andrew Ickeringill replied to David Flynn's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
I was referring to gold foil habaki vs solid silver/copper habaki, didn't think I'd have to clarify that, of course a solid gold habaki would be more expensive than a gold foil habaki. As for which is more desirable, I suppose that could be subjective to some. -
Gassan School
Andrew Ickeringill replied to David Flynn's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
And so these would've been made by someone else I believe. Foiled habaki are much more difficult to make than solid, and hence more desirable/expensive than solid. So I think it's safe to assume that if Sadakatsu was proficient at gold foiling, he wouldn't have been risking his life with the gold wash process. -
Gassan School
Andrew Ickeringill replied to David Flynn's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
From what I understand, Sadakatsu made his own habaki, which is why you see so many of his blades with this style of habaki. They’re solid silver, I don't think he did foiling, the gold habaki are solid silver with a gold wash (you'll see on most of them that the wash is fading towards the bottom, where the habaki makes the strongest contact with the koi-guchi) I believe it’s applied in liquid form and the application can be very hazardous to your health. So, if you have a Sadakatsu with this style of habaki and you’re having the blade polished, I recommend trying to re-use the habaki rather than having a new one made, it’s rare for a smith to make his own habaki, and they’re definitely worth keeping together. -
Yes, there are many differences in the horimono both in terms of style and quality which raise suspicion… actually, a huge gap in quality! As well as many differences in the deki of the sword, which wouldn’t be so if it were a shadow sword made at the same time as the original by Akihide. But to me, the big giveaway is with the nakago. The original has some minor openings in the nakago just to the left of the mekugi-ana which appear as a sort of scarring, the faker has attempted to reproduce this scarred effect in their sword, but the angles are incorrect, it goes off in a different direction. Which logically points to the 2nd sword being an attempt at a direct fake, rather than a shadow sword by Akihide. (Original to the left, fake in the middle) Once this is clear, and you start to really analyse the tagane and yasurime, the differences start to jump out at you. No sword should be assumed shoshin simply because of the supposed period or maker, wherever there’s money to be made, there are fakes to be made.
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I believe these two swords have been discussed before in one of the FB groups, the topic was raised by Chris Bowen. They’re actually both dated 1941, in fact the inscriptions are exactly the same on both swords, though clearly made by different hands. The one with the hozon paper is of course legitimate and quite a well-known sword by Akihide, the other is an elaborate fake, so maybe not congratulations, but commiserations to the buyer