2devnul

I see, but I don't understand why the assumption it was done like that. I have this sword at hand, comparing to other swords in my collection I can't tell it is different in a specific way. @Rivkin @Mikaveli Can you please explain why do you think it was acid etch? I would like to learn the way to determine that.

Do you mean you don't like it or that in your opinion it is badly made?

That Hamon is the reason why this sword caught my eye. Not many smiths were doing Kani no Tsume, and as for Bizen there is a big name behind it. I think that Hadori is sloppy and this blade would look much better in Shashikomi. Hada is very nice and tight. 'Crab claws' are irregular and wild. Mumei makes it a mystery which I'm hoping to solve on this forum. Please let me know if any additional pictures (what exactly is needed) could help forum members to tell me more about this sword.

Nice one, looks like Katate-Uchi.

That was my guess too. What do you mean by that? Can you elaborate on that? Are you referring to polish?

My first "Nihonto" was a fake, I was basing my judgment on few books only and I failed. I learned that hard way by presenting my "Nihonto" to other collector. Much have changed since then, due to more books, looking at real Nihonto in others collection (at hand), buying first few with a help of experienced collector. I think these are a good alternative for Iaido/Tameshigiri. Even for display for people that can't afford Nihonto. I personally use Chinese blade for training (both Iai and cutting), mounted in Japanese Tsuka. Chinese/Thai/other still make that fat oddly looking stake alike Tsuka, not to mention poor wrapping. Why I use Chinese blade? I don't care if it gets chipped, bent, catches rust or whatever. I don't even clean that blade. Still, it took me a while to find a decent replica, in a way of handling etc. And it isn't (although they are good) Hanwei. As for these 'high end replicas', I think they are still cheaper than new (not second hand) Shinsakuto with Japanese Koshirae.

Yes, they are getting better, but still sloppy.

Mumei BTW ...

More pictures.

Hi, I have an interesting sword IMO and some assumptions, but I would love to hear what forum members can tell me about it! Nagasa 47cm, sori 1,9mm, motohaba 29mm

Available only till end of this year, then it will go to dealer.

Hi, IMO it is not Konuka Hada. It reminds me Hada from my 3rd Tadayoshi. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45103-shinto-wakizashi-hizen-kuni-mutsu-kami-tadayoshi-please-comment/ There are opinions that sometimes with fancy Hamon (not Suguha) Hada wasn't 'that' typical Konuka. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53901-sandai-tadayoshi/#comment-566175

Hi, Sukesada is a popular name, but looking at the pictures I would say it is late Koto (~1550) Tanto. Koshirae is IMO later addition, maybe even made after WWII. Doesn't look like Edo piece to me. Blade is 'running on fumes' with not much of collectors (again, my opinion) value. I wouldn't pay 650USD for it, you can find much better deals.

Hi, Interesting topic! Can you bring a blade without any papers? No NBTHK or even old Torokusho copy? How they determine if it is Nihonto? What happens if you bring none-Nihonto replica (not Iaito, sharp sword)? Thanks!

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53181-echizen-fujiwara-kunitsugu-dated-1632-with-nbthk/#comment-567197 Echizen Fujiwara Kunitsugu, dated 1632, with NBTHK Hozon and prefect polish for 3300$ USD. In that forum thread you will also find links to SOLD swords from this smith (prices around 4k USD). PS. Proper Koshirae restoration with purchase of decent fittings/Tsuba is a cost around 2k USD. Of course price can go higher, depending on fittings/Tsuba etc...

Perfect sword, please share more pictures. Sugata and Nakago, also more of Boshi. What paper do you have for it? Thanks!

BUMP I can go as low as I paid for the sword = 12k PLN = 3300$ (with current $/PLN rate).

This is a magic question everyone asks each time they buy/sold a sword For me these swords are no-no, because: - polish is bad - condition unknown, will revel after polish - Koshirae needs renovation, seems not to match (guess based just on photos) same theme for Fuchi/Kashira - For 500-1000$ you could buy something in better out-of-the-box condition from Japan This is just my private opinion as I have a very specific key for swords in my collection. I always like to have "pristine" (or close to it) look of the sword. This means perfect condition, polish, Koshirae. Even for a 300-500 years old swords. However, I know there are collectors that value 'original' condition more. With old polish and Koshirae, even if it is falling apart. Still, IMHO if you buy them for 500$ then you should be able to resell them for same (maybe more?) price. So maybe worth risking.

To me it looks more like Koshi Sori (Bizen Sori)

Hi, Total amateur opinion here. You sword looks like late Koto Sue-Bizen Uchigatana. As for missing material on Nakago, I have a sword (pics below) with a very similar 'attribute'. My guess is that was due to uncommon-increased corrosion back in the days. Chunks were removed, cleaned and got proper patina later during the aging process.

Not to mention that papers can be forgery, like printed carfax, it is just a piece of paper. This is even easier for old papers, new ones can at least be doublecheck (I think) in computer data base.

At least it is confirmation that sword is Nihonto, I think we can agree on that.

@Sukaira Thank you for sharing, so there is a 'light in the tunnel'. When I compare Hada/Hamon to the example from AOI it is indeed quite similar. Especially high Gunome Hamon, Boshi and Sugata/Kissaki/Nakago shape. If I will have time I will examine file marks once more, maybe take some pictures. If it is a Gimei, then the blade is still high quality and perfect Mei. Best of course will be sending sword for Shinsa, but I have no idea how to approach this topic ...

Hi, If it is steel (suppose to be sharp and done cutting) then maybe it is replica forged outside of Japan (not necessary China) in Japanese Iaito Koshirae? @Octo2k Hamon/Hada close-up pictures please? I've seen pretty nice high carbon steel replica blades, with real Hamon (no Hada, as blade wasn't folded since there was no need for that) done by Polish smith 20 years ago. This blade might be something similar, equipped in 'proper' Koshirae. PS. On second look, Saya seems wrong. Kurigata doesn't look to be horn and Shitodome looks like gold-painted plastic/cheap alloy. Maybe someone bought a decent Iaito Tsuka+Tsuba and put it on the blade. That will also explain unused Mekugi-Ana. Bohi is odd (the point where it starts) ... even for alloy Iaito.

Hi, Thank you so much for sharing. No I can finally accept that I have a good quality Gimei. Please share more pictures if you can, thanks!