Mark Green

I would say that is a tree prunning tool Mark G

Sorry to Lisa, If my 'Kill Bill' reference (That was applied as humor) offended you. Guido, Sorry if my humor upset you. Mark G

Isn't that O-Ren Ishii, It's a wonder ya'll servived that party! :lol:

Ted, I'm not sure that there is any nickel in the tanto. Just that Meteorites have a bunch of very hard nickel, usualy. I was just making a wild guess as to what it was, as I have never seen a hada like that as well???? Just what it 'could' be. Though very unlikely. I have owned a couple swords that I was told were a combo of nanbam/ triditional, that had a lot of these very shiny dark spots in the hada. My best guess is that it would be something like that. Or mayby recycled sword steel of some kind? It is very interesting. Mark

Very cool loking hada. Could it be Meteorite? Lots of nickel content.

Sweet!!!!!

Hi JJ, Just keep your tsuba in a soft dry place. You could pick up a box for it. As for it's value, It is a nice late period tsuba. Without papers, it is only worth what another collector would pay for it. I would just keep it in a safe dry place. Not likely worth insuring, unless you are worried about it's safety. And yes, those are some great pics. Mark G

Now that I have taken a closer look, I agree with you john. I just don't like the added gold for some reason. It just looks very haphazerd. Like someone put it on as an after thought. I guess I just don't like the placement. Maybe It's just the deliberate wear, combined with the age wear. It is, fine as kind though! Mark G JJ, could you tell us the size, please. 7.9x7.1cm ?

Not sure about the school, But this is peony flowers for sure. This very nice tsuba was about as covered with gold as any you will see. I think it would have looked just as nice, perhaps even better, with no color. Just a nice dark patina. Mark G

Wow, the web is on both sides! I like it even more now. Very nice, powerful, little tsuba.

I got Clive's book in today, and just got through looking through it. Clive, Great job!!! I feel this book will soon be known as a Japanese Sword book that is a MUST to have. For beginners, it is a dream book (in english) That is easy to understand, and follow. A must for all new collectors Well done mate Mark G

My copy is on the way home :D

Hi Charlie, I think your tsuba may be two gourds that are still on the fall vine??? The web looks very nice. but made to look old and broken. Just a thought. I like it! Mark G

Hi Jim, A bit better pic, of both sides would help. That one is very fuzzy. And sizes would help too. Length, width, thickness. Very nice tsuba. Mark G

Happy Birthday Brian. You the man!!! Mark G

It looks like it may have been a short Katana for a while. Looks shinto to me. Mark

Hi Peter, Your sword looks very much like one I have with the Bizen OF Sukesada mei. I have been told it was shinto, made by Bizen smiths that survived the flood and moved somewhere and set up shop. Many still signed Bizen. But I do not know any of this for sure. Mine has all the same attributes that yours does, and a great flame boshi. It is very nice reguardless. Mark G

Hi Rob, and Gang, Rob, to learn how to make Tsuba, there is no better site in this world then the Ironbrush. Everything you would ever need to know to get started is there. The people are very friendly, and the wealth of knowledge, that can be found for free is unheard of. I know all this first hand. Mark G

Looks like someone cleaned of the patina to me. Bummer!! It looked much better before it got cleaned. Mark G

I don't know Brian You know how those ninja souls can get trapped in them there swords. :lol: All kinds of bad mojo could come from that!

Hi Gang, EMS from Japan, 5-7 days. Ground mail from Japan 5-8 weeks. To east US. Mark

Looks like a flawless gem to me Brian. Congrats!!!

Hey, thanks guys, great looking info&stuff. I have been learning first hand what is involved in making sword fittings. Mostly Tsuba. Ford, and his gang have hooked me on the steel/iron cutting thing. It is VERY hard work. Doing it with almost no power tools is beyond hard! But very satisfying. I'm getting better every day. Thanks again Ford, loving it! Mark G

Mike, I would say your Tsuba is 'real' for sure. In good shape as well, as said above. Should be very nice cleaned up a bit. That wheel is a very common theme. I learned that only Royality could ride in anything with wheels. Good get. Mark G

That is great Mark. I have a monster, Shinto Shigeyuki wak, that is flawless! Congrats on your new sword. Mark The good thing about swords, is they never run out of ammo!