Hokke

Your enthusiasm is noted, and I can appreciate it. That said, I stand by my post. Just because it hasn't been done yet, means little, IMO. Is it possible smiths of old used materials other than those we know of today that aided them in their work, absolutely. Is it possible that whatever those materials were, they are no longer available in the modern day, sure. Are either of these likely, I have no idea. What I do know, is that there is......something.......that is missing allowing for these works to remain un-copied, but it is.....something, either skill or material, or both.

Just a point of clarification, Chernobyl is more irradiated not because it was a ground explosion vs elevated, but because of the amount of fissionable materials that were released when the reactor exploded. Reactors hold thousands of pounds of fuel versus the hundred+ in the bombs. That in combination with the type of radiation released and its half life, compared to that of the bombs, is why Pripyat is still a danger zone vs Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Hi Brano, I wouldn't say never, these smiths weren't "magical" by any stretch of the imagination. 20 years ago, no one thought there would be a day when we would be making diamonds of significant size and yet here we are. Chemistry and technique are recipes, nothing more. Once you have the recipe for both, it's game over. However, your answer is interesting and I appreciate you airing it. I dont know if I agree with it, because I honesty haven't given it much thought, but perhaps we all should. Just for clarification though and so I won't be taking up space in Colins thread, I just want to make sure you saw my original post in full. The question wasn't if there was someone out there making blades traditionally to a high quality. The question was if there was someone out there making blades of similar quality and trying to pass them as nihonto. Some members posted info on blades made in Japan that attempted the fraud, but no one as yet has referenced anyone outside of Japan, not in this thread at least. And so, it seems my question is answered for the time being. Anyway, I think I have hijacked Colins thread enough, so I digress, I appreciate everyone's input.

Absolutely Colin, I wasnt trying to hijack your thread, I assure you. I only meant to expand on the term fake since you rightly mentioned it. Cheap mass produced fakes are covered very well here with many sources of information. I just wanted to step it up and discuss less common fakes and if they exist.

Hello Brano, if you have a look at my original post, I defined “fake” as “a purposeful attempt to misrepresent a blade not of Japanese origin as nihonto, or even shinsakuto.” The caveat is that the fake is so well made, it was challenging to detect.

Thats interesting, I will have a look for the thread. That said, you indicated that these were made in Japan. Are you aware of any being produced outside of Japan to the same degree of detail?

In accordance with No. 3 on Colin’s list, has anyone ever encountered a “fake” that was so well done it had to be reviewed by peers to confirm. Lets assume fake to mean a purposeful attempt to misrepresent a blade not of Japanese origin as nihonto, or even shinsakuto. Im aware this is difficult to accomplish with nihonto since artificial aging is a trick not yet mastered, but that doesn't mean some haven't come close. Im curious because in the watch world this has become somewhat ordinary. It used to be that fakes could be spotted from a distance. Then, they needed only be held. As time passed, it required magnification on the outside. Now, we have super clones that are so well made, they must be opened and the smallest of differences must be identified. Ironically, we have replicas that actually perform better than the original in time keeping. So is anyone aware of such an effort?

Good to know, ill have to take a look

Reminds me of egyptian hieroglyphs. Specifically Akhenaton, father of Tutankhamun. His name was either completely removed, in an attempt to erase him from history or it was defaced to show contempt for his ideas and policies.

Very cool, had no idea they even made such things, but I definitely want one now.

With all due respect Bobby, you are correct until you actually encounter someone from either camp. I have not a seen a single occurrence of someone here "sneering at Juyo as toys for rich collectors". However, there are bold occurrences of "dismisses the lesser". This is done quite openly and proudly. At that point, all bets are off and its no longer BS. Yes, yes, we "should celebrate" nihonto and "not fight", and for the most part I think this is the case. All the more reason to call out a liar in truths clothing. Cancer has to be identified, before being treated.

I dont have a FB account, so im not familiar with the sections, but im surprised there is that much of a nihonto following. Didnt know that platform had turned into such a sales site.

Good question, perhaps it was a simple matter of volume. Or maybe because someone told him kanbun shinto, suriage blades with shallow sori were "paperweights".

damn....that was a deal....congrats to Rawa safe flying Hamfish

Um no, TFB, you made the statement, I simply pointed out your poor memory for having forgotten it. The only thing deep. deep down is your contempt for anyone who has the temerity to disagree with you. Describing nihonto purchases others have made or may make as "paperweights" is quite LITERALLY both looking down at someone AND something at the same time. Not to mention you accused a member of this forum for essentially being a thief. But you know all this TFB, and you arent the least bit bothered by it, which makes you a "special" kind of.........person.