Tom Darling

Jussi, You deserve "The Nihonto Gold Medal Award" for achievement and excellence for a job well done. It exceeded beyond my wildest expectations. extraordinary work! Best regards, Tom

It's in the eye of the beholder. We all have different taste.

This maybe a mute question, are both sides acid polish. My eyesight is playing tricks on me.

I echo Peter's passionate sentiment , you can open a Museum with Paul's marvelous collection, and Brian is correct, the old guard are leaving us, and the scant young generation will need to keep the preservation of Nihonto on track.

O-kay, I'll give it a crack in my humble way. It is an occurrence when two or more similar distinct patterns/styles of execution are found in a particular manner or technique on the blade. Also, notice two or three inches below kassaki shows a groove indicating what appears to be a shinogi. Naginata to ko-waki. Peace.

Jeff, I believe that your unokubi-zekuri blade was originally a Naginata, machi okuri, would explain the yasuri-me appearing fresher. The five notches on the tang, could have been a measurement where to raise the machi. The kassaki boshi was re-shaped, mekuni-ana is old, and chiseled nearer the nakago-jiri end of tang. Naginata began in the feudal times, it very possibly could be over 300 yrs old? Good luck. I like it a lot. Congratulations. Take care. IMHO.

Very sad news indeed. RIP old friend.

I would contribute the surface rubbing to the habaki, tight fit.

Jeff, I am not sure if you have a shinogi (Ridge), it looks like hira-zukuri, flat on each side? and the mekuni-ana is quite old. Kindly take a better pic of the point area, and other side of blade. I would call it a ko-wakizashi at 14 inches with goma-bashi . The sword is very very interesting, and definitely have it polished, excellent candidate for shinsa. Take a couple more pic of the nakago without the habaki. It could be fat on one side. Cheers. Tom D.

I like the menuki.

He did say, he wouldn't sell it, if it doesn't get papered. I hope we get to see it, before it is gone. Swords of this caliber (juyo) are well known amongst sword dealers in Japan. I was wondering if Darcy or Paul Martin are aware of your good fortune. I would use either one to submit my swords for shinsa. Cheers.

Adam, your navigational skills are very astute, and your narrative is well taken. I am impressed. Good hunting. Tom D.

The tip can be reinstated, by the polisher. Nice fittings. Tom D.

Awesome contribution. Many thanks. Tom D.

"I wonder if they are rare." Their only rare if you have one. I hope to have one someday, too. No jabs intended! Peace. "Happy days are here again." Tom D.

Piers, to answer your question, in my opinion, it has a 50/50 % chance of being good. I am leaning towards its not. Let me know the results after shinsa. Good luck I really mean it. Peace. Tom D.

That is exactly what I wanted to determine on both points. If I am looking at your boshi correctly, it appears to be hakikake, should be ko- maru, I believe. IMHO. Peace. Also, the mei is a copy of the 2nd gen. and not as bold. Imho. Peace. Tom. D.

Piers, Kindly take pic of boshi and the hamon going into nakago. There are two points I'd like to make. Thanks. Tom D.

The yasuri-me, I believe is the give away, made by mill steel , as the yasuri appears to be (evident ) on very hard steel, not deep and sharp, factory made. But, still is a nice sword. IMHO. I'd like a clear pic of the ji and ha. Thank you. Tom D.

Gary, you're very fortunate with your acquisitions. Were they veteran, acquired. You hit the bulls eye twice, I envy you, just a little. Thank you for showing them. Tom D.

Actually, it reminds me of both Masamune and Sadamune Great Blade. Tom D.

Barry, I was just contemplating saying the same, he must have loved it, which is saying a lot . A magnificent blade no doubt. I also love it! Tom D.

Michael, that is another good point, but maybe the owner requested it to appear longer. I'll make this brief, concerning scabbard, copper goshirae on black lacquered surface, doesn't appeal to me aesthetically. The scabbard isn't that will made either. I won't mine if you disagree with my opinion. My eyes are not young anymore. Peace. Tom D.

Are the file marks a real sign of wear? Tom D.

Michael, you have a very nice sword, in aluminum scabbard late war? Which is perfect. Peace. Tom D.