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MHC

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Everything posted by MHC

  1. Thank you all for your replies, all useful inputs. John J., your description both make complete sense, and is more consistent with what I have seen in pictures on quality, higher end blades. Sometimes I just wish swords were like classic cars, if the easy to see serial numbers match, the body, trim, paint and interior colors and options match the door tag...then bingo you have the real Macoy. Such is not the case with swords, but I guess where would be the fun in that! Mark Cannaday
  2. Hello Brian, The main problem for me, is that I am only viewing blades via online photos, especially those from countries abroad, which is never ideal. Furthermore, most online photos never seem to dwell on that particular area, always at the edges of the photo or non-existent. It's so sketchy for me to try and decipher what's what with a particular blade when not in hand, compounded by my inexperience, just makes purchase decisions very difficult. I'm unfortunately very skeptical of humans in the first place, so I'm always looking for faults and problems. So when my inexperienced eye perceives something that might be out of place, my monkey brain instantly says run away. However, I don't think that is always a fair reaction, thus the question that I posed to all here. Thank you for your input. Mark Cannaday
  3. Hello all, Been awhile since I have posted anything, too busy building a house. Anyway, I've been curious for quite some time now, regarding the Hamon continuing into the Nakago on an older suriage or O-Suriage blade. I would think that if a blade has been shortened more than once during it's life, and of course depending on the amount of shortening. One would think you would expect to see the original Hamon continuing into the new Nakago {in the area of the Habaki}. If a Suriage blade has 2, 3 or even 4 Mekugi-ana holes, wouldn't one not expect to at least see some blades where the Hamon continues into the Nakago {area of the Habaki}? Especially if the first Mekugi-ana hole is very near the end of the Nakago. I have seen blades with even just a partial Mekugi-and hole left on the end, surely the Hamon should present itself into the Nakago on a blade such as this. I have only seen one blade where it was clearly apparent that the original Hamon did indeed continue into the Nakago. I know that if the blade was damaged, then shortened and possibly re-tempered, you would not see this feature. However, to the well trained eye {not myself unfortunately}, other telltale features give away a re-tempered blade, so no need to comment about these. Thanks for humoring me, as I ponder this. Mark
  4. Brian, You've gone above and beyound...as usual. Keep up the good work! Mark
  5. Hadori polish required for judging, yes read that on this forum and equally in several books I poses regarding polishing technics and traditions. I have a heck of a lot of books, and have read them all several times over, but alas it would take more time than I'm willing to invest in order to notate each occurrence. Especially for just a casual inquisition on the subject of this or that style of polish preference. Thanks for all of your inputs and opinions, clearly I am not alone in my preference. Mark
  6. Hello all, As the title states over exaggerated Hadori polish, what do you all feel about this. I have seen swords polished well, but with a Hadori polish profile that clearly goes well beyond the actual Hamon {1 is for sale on the forum currently} I'm not a huge fan of Hadori style polish anyway, but an over exaggerated profile just instantly kills my interest in the sword. I'm aware that a Hadori style polish is the norm these days {aka required for judging}, but sure would like to see more old swords polished in the original Sashikomi style. Just one mans rambling thoughts..... Mark
  7. From what I can see from the poor pictures, it appears this could(?) be a chrome plated blade. Making it a non-traditionally made blade. Additionally...yeh I would stop talking about your intent, before it gets ugly. Mark
  8. Thanks for the photo update. I'm too much a rookie compared to...well everybody else here, but the blade looks to have promise. Knowledgeable folks will chime in soon I hope. Mark
  9. Please use down load files that all can open without having to download some other extension. Mark
  10. While not directly blade related, but proper conversation during the purchase process is very important. So when I receive any written conversation {text, PM, Email, etc.}, if there is "Millennial speak" occurring {i.e. no capitalization, no punctuation, non-existent sentence syntax, spelling errors, etc.} they get a very hard pass. Petty, probably...but very annoying and in my mind, instantly eliminates any credibility regarding the seller. Mark
  11. Mr. Portland nor his son, have answered my emails in over 2 years so....... Mark
  12. DHA swords do not have any form of a Mekugi-ana, their handle mounting is with resin not a peg. This mekugi-ana looks original to the blade. Mark
  13. Well there it is, in the last 2 lines that Kirill just posted. "In most collectibles an item valuation is set by sort of collective perception of what its worth, so quite a few even high end collectors are moved to show and discuss their pieces so as to stay in touch with that general perception. Nihonto ones often feel they can only loose from their pieces being discussed." The first sentence is a basic true-ism in regards to just about all hobbies that deal with collectable/valued items. However, first and foremost, most people collect things because they enjoy it, value is all well and fine, but secondary at best. The second sentence is somewhat understandable, but just a shame if it is indeed true for Nihonto, and does explain a lot for me. Up to this point, I had a different take on why high end Nihonto collectors were basically stand off-ish. Now with this possible new enlightenment, I can see another side to the story. So it does appear we can learn things about this hobby, even without observing blades and doing Kantei. Mark
  14. Shure I can Ken, but the same can be said for say a chemistry class, it's all well and fine to learn the subject when you attend class each day...but sometimes it is just as rewarding to make a soda volcano! Mark
  15. Hummm...I'm hesitant to write here as my .02c worth of opinion is worth exactly that .02c, but here goes nothing. Purely from my point of view, a hobby, any hobby should be first and foremost, fun and entertaining and personally fulfilling. I love Japanese swords, Japanese sword history and all it's complexity. While it is important to know the details about the swords and fittings I collect, in the end it comes down to holding the item in my hand and simply enjoying it in all it's minutia. I rather enjoy cars and motorcycles too, having had 45 cars and 6 motorcycles thus far, and once again I like to know the details about each and every one of them. So needless to say, I have been to and involved in many a show/gathering/barbeque/Sunday coffee meets related to this hobby. Additionally, I was a member of a SCCA race team for 4 years (suspension specialist), where we were Pacific Northwest Champions for all of those 4 years, running a Porsche 911 in D production sports car class. so once again, deeply involved in the hobby. Firearms have been another hobby of mine and I've been around firearms my entire life, I have owned, traded, bartered, swapped countless varieties. I have been to more gun shows than I have brain cells to remember them all. I have been a member of several clubs and shooting ranges, I've been a rangemaster and a personal level firearms trainer. In all of these exploits, it all came down to having fun interacting with like minded people, sharing there proclivities related to the hobby at hand. This interaction was most fulfilling when it was at the simple level of sharing the experience, be it the last race, the last rifle, the car currently in the parking lot etc. Sure all of these interactions involved some level of detailed comment or comparison or data, but that was a lesser part of the overall experience. I certainly understand where some collectors need to know absolutely everything possible about their subject hobby down to the most minute degree of detail, in order for them to truly, deeply enjoy their hobby. That level of commitment is commendable, admirable and necessary, as it allows for accurate overview of any given hobby, and keeps the riff-raff at bay. However, I'm afraid that level is not obtainable or even wanted for a large portion of any hobbies participants. So with that being said, I too see the advantage of having arenas with a little more of a casual approach/environment regardless of what hobby it might be. After all, sitting around a buddies garage with several friends while working on his/her race car and drinking beer and talking shop IS FUN, why not the same with swords (maybe without the beer though, I could see problems arising with that). Mark
  16. What's unbelievable is that there are currently 24 bids on this fine object, currently at $450!!! And just for the record...if I was charging a machine gun blazing away at me, my personal choice of weapon would certainly be a sword. Because after all, any Samurai worth his salt should be able to run headlong into the fray, all the while deflecting the pitiful American bullets with his blade, then slice the inferior American steel barrel in half and save the whole platoon....right! Mark
  17. I looked back, and that actually is the best picture of the Mei. 則 nori is possible but, all the right half is un-readable 元 moto is a much closer match, but the left half is very, very vague. I've decided not to pursue this item, so it's all a moot point now.
  18. Hello John, It would appear that it is always best to go with your gut, especially when you have limited practical knowledge, I think this one would be best to fall by the wayside. The taper of the blade is the most concerning to me for it being older than Shinto, seeing how it is a Wakizashi size. If it where an earlier blade I would have expected less or no taper on such a short blade. There are more photos online, that allow one to make out "Moto" as the third character in the Mei, but everything else is 70-90% obscured. Moot point at this juncture. Mark
  19. Attached are 3 poor online supplied pictures, this is not an Ebay listing. It is signed, but basically unreadable due to corrosion. I'm guessing Shinto era, of older revival style blade??? 14.25" Nagasa but incorrectly advertised as a Tanto. Not looking for advise, just observations. Thanks Mark
  20. Received my soft cover copy 1 week ago, already read it cover to cover. Excellent job, thank you Yurie! Mark
  21. Hummm...to put a stigma onto an inanimate object, just because an action is documented for that object is odd by itself, but then to wear blinders toward all other identical objects and pretend they did not deal the same type of action? This is a seriously delusional approach to logic, facts and reason. The reality is that many a Nihonto sword has been used for their intended purpose, whether it was in battle or in testing. Absolutely no way to know which is which on a un-marked blade, and no way to know if a sword is a "virgin" or not. I have no interest in trying to change anybody's ideals or morals, nor do I wish to entertain any dialog about these. In the end, I guess it all comes down to what ever lets you sleep at night. Mark
  22. Hello Gary, Sure would be nice to see all of these stunningly beautiful swords that you have been posting as of late, in the Sashikomi style of polish. Hadori just hides too much detail of the grain structure. I'm aware that Hadori is the current accepted style, and what is expected to be seen today by the NBTHK. Too bad the age of the sword doesn't dictate the style of polish, instead of the current trending fashion. Of course that is simply my opinion and personal preference, I mean to take nothing away from your extremely fine collection. Please by all means, keep making us all jealous of your collection by displaying more of your offerings. Mark
  23. Hello George, For everyone's sake, in the future, could you please downsize your photo templates before you post. Your current file size is unnecessarily large and take forever to open. I'm guessing (?) that I'm not the only one that has problems with opening huge photo files on this forum. Mark
  24. Hey there Pat, Just to pick the fly s**t out of the pepper......the 2 bombs dropped on Japan in WWII were NOT hydrogen bombs, they were straight Atomic bombs. Even though I think you did not intend to imply that the USA dropped atomic bombs on Tokyo, however, your verbiage was unclear and hinted at that being the case. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the only 2 targets for the atomic bombs used. Hydrogen bombs were a further development of the base atomic bomb, which increased the yield substantially. No Hydrogen bomb has ever been used in combat anywhere in the world to date. Additionally, technically a cluster bomb is not an incendiary bomb per say (albeit an incendiary bomb canister contains many individual ordinance pieces), a cluster bomb contains individual explosive ordinance while an incendiary bomb contains individual incendiary ordinance. Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Mark
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