Mark Green

You guys crack me up I like your tsuba. It does look a bit 'copied' though. You can find 'gems' out there once in a while. It sure doesn't stop most of us from looking, or 'the hunt'. It's one of the things, that make collecting anything FUN. And if it's not fun, why do it. To me, even the average fittings are wonderful art work. Good casting is an art, in itself. And, the very fine stuff is just ???? that! How did they make these wonderful, tiny things, with no mag. glasses? Did they all go blind in short order? How were there so many masters of this art? Rich----Your the man!! Reinhard-----I know, you know your stuff, but you are the master of glib Everyone else, chill. Can we see more close ups of your Tsuba? Mark G

Hi Gang, I think Brian was just trying to show us what a true U-no-kubi-zukuri looks like. It would help though Brian to show the whole sword in a pic. But I would say that is a (UNKZ) for sure. Robert's is a basic Shobu-zukuri. Very interesting one at that. I for one, would still love some more pics, and measurements. Mark G

Wow, Gunman, reading your post made me ill. I guess that my friends that own dozens of swords, and 100's of guns better forget about moving to Greece. I am so sorry you have to go through that. When it comes time to vote, if you get to vote for people that make fool laws like your dealing with, pick the right people!! Good luck Brother. Mark G

Hi Gang, Looking at Robert's pics, That hamon sure does run very large into the Nakago. Could we get a full Nakago, and part of the blade shot please, Robert? I think your polish looks good. Very natural. very much like it likely looked, when carried for work, hundreds of years ago. There is nothing wrong with that. So what does everyone think------- Mino? Moromachi? BUNGO???? I'm thinking shinto. just a feeling? Did the polisher have a say at this? I've seen a few Bizen, 1500's They were very powerful looking. The Mino a bit less beef., more if they were shinto I forgot, were the sizes ever posted on this sword? If not, Geeze Rob??? As my friend Reinhard has said many times, Size matters!!!!!!!! Newbees this is a MUST!!! The sizes, tell us a bunch. Not having the sword in hand is bad enough, We must have the facts, so those few here that know,(not me) Know what they are looking at. Pics are tough. Reinhard gave good advice. Check out Darcy's photo page. And experiment. New cams make this easy. Its all about the light angle. And Rob, your sword is very interesting, lets study on it some. Why would someone make this wonderful blade, with all the work that it took, and not sign it??? I just don't get unsigned swords, that do not have huge flaws. Do you think that one little blister, although deep, would keep the smith from claiming this work? Rambeling on now, Later, Mark G Oh, and Jacques, U-no-Kubi-zukuri? Please explain? I thought that was when the Shinogiji is slanted in the middle, while the lower part and the kissaki are normal. Or can it be like this as well. And wouldn't that need a kissaki, on a wak or Katana. I think, if it isn't a cut down pole arm, than it seems standard Shobu-zukuri to me. But I'm just a beginner, and have seen very few of this style, in hand.

Nice sword Rob! I just love those Shobu-zukuri waks. Your Boshi looks to be Omaru/Komaru, hard to see the turnback length. Enjoy, and thanks for the pics. Mark G

I'm with the other guys, I feel these will polish out with a new polish. Always best to see what the polisher says. But, I'll bet that all go away. Mark

Hi Shan, My first thoughts were WW2 gendi., or maybe late 1800's- early 1900's. I wouldn't think it has been shortened. The hamon runs off at the machi. I don't like how the hadori seems to be 'way' above the hamon on some of the omote side :? It could just be the pics. Measurements may help a bit. sure has a bunch of nie. Not sure what reinhard is seeing on the Nakago. Can't wait for the criptic clues. All great points made. Hard to see that Boshi. I don't feel it is very old, but it is a strange one. I look forward to reinhard conclusion. Mark

I heard that. But it was something like a scrap iron mix smelter. Which, likely makes some good sword making steel. I don't know for sure though. I'm sure someone here has better info than I. I have heard many modern smiths, build there own Tatara, and throw every kind of steel in there to geat a very Tamahagane like stuff, that seems to make some very good looking swords.

A whole nakago pic would be nice Shan. Looks like the machi have been moved up a few times. The orig. part looks old though. Lets see a whole pic. I don't know about any welding, But any tampering will effect value!!

Hi gang. I have seen some very good, and papered Emura blades. But, many were made by the prisoners he trained. Does that make a ww2 gendi worth 3k+. He must have been one hell of a teacher. Are his sword Tamahagane?

Wow!! Gota love that fat nie :D I would send this sword for paper. You never know. I sure like it reguardless. Great looking hamon. Mark

Hi Gates, I just saw your post. I sure would love to see some pics of your sword. I'm a bit confused, is it the same one that started this thread? Pm me if you like. I will tell you all I know. Mark G

They are Tachi

Hi Justin, It could just be that wild hada,and the polish, that is making me think something is up with this sword. I feel that is some 'way over the top' hadori, :? looks to me to be well into the ji. And from the pics, (are some black and white????), I can't tell if there is boshi or not? It may just be my old eyes, but when I enlarged the one pic I see a scratch or crack in the ha, just back, (left) of the kizu, (whatever). It may just be the black and white that is messing with me. Please take a close look in that spot and tell me I'm seeing things.

Hi, I would say ditto on Franco's thoughts. It sure looks like some kind of hybrid polish to me. I don't see any utsuri? Doesn't look right, thats for sure.

From what I've seen this guy's signiture was different every time he signed. Gotta go by the sword. Mark G

Has that happened?

Hi John, welcome. I hope that the NMB, can help you with your sword making. Nice stuff, btw You will be folding steel in no time. It's all about the steel!!!! Mark G

Eric, WOW!! Jon, No not papered, Not sure they are even a pure Daisho. Just from the same pattern, and nearly exactly alike, so close enough. I like them. Missing a couple of the brass dots, but in fair shape otherwise.

Hi Ian, That is a very big name from the early 1300's . As said above, please don't try to clean it in any way. Give the pros a chance to take a look at this blade. I don't have time just now, but will look for you later. great get!!!! Keep it safe. Mark G

RKG, Great looking battle scar on the mune! Very nice hada. MG

Thanks All. I have no plans to touch the tsuba, but may consider fixing the F&K. I would like to use them with a mounting, and I feel they would look much better fixed. And I trust the very capable person doing the fix. I will send along pics if I do. Mark G

Joe, There are a pile of places to buy sword fittings, for all types of Nihonto. Check out the link pages above. Many will make all new 'clothes' for your stuff. I have two swords at Fred Lohman's right now being Daisho'ed up, with all new stuff. There are likely 'many' in Japan, and a few more throughout the world. Surf around, and you should be able to fine a hald dozen quickly. As far as finding used Koshirae that will 'fit' your swords that can be VERY difficult at best. Most Tsuba can be made to fit any sword of the correct size. Same goes for most all of the Fittings. But Saya&Tsuka, are all custom made for each weapon. It is the only way to be sure. Mark G

Wow John, that is very nice. I almost like the hadori done on that. Great tiny grouping of the 'cedar' !!!! I love that sword, classic. Great, powerful looking, little Sukesada too, Fred. My Bungo Shigeyuki has that same hamon. Very sexy! And you lucky guys with those sweet pole-weapon waks I need to get Dana san to let me take some pics of the two he has. Both, coverted polearms. Well done. One got close to 80 pts at shinsa. I'll work on that. Mark G

Blademan, Your sword looks to be in great shape! Well cared for all these years. I would work at getting those fat fingerprints off asap. Pick up a good quality sword care kit asap. You have a good WW2 artifact, in good shape. My guess would be showato Enjoy! Mark G