Honest appraisal of Fred Lohman polishing.

[obiwanknabbe]

Hi everyone.

 

So here is the deal. Recently we discussed a blade that I picked up at a local antique shop (been hitting home runs lately). What i found turned out to be a Mano Masayasu. There is some conjecture as to whether or not this blade is Nakirishi mei or shoshinmei. Pictures and discussion of that blade can be found in the translation section under "Kai Gunto? translation".

 

What do you folks think about Mr. Lohman's polishing service. The price is right, but how about the workmanship? Does this blade warrant more?

 

Also, who would your recommend as an alternative? I dont have disposable income, but would really like to see this sword returned to former glory.

 

Thoughts, comments?

 

Thanks,

 

Kurt. K

[Stephen]

PM sent

[cabowen]

This blade is not nakirishimei. While Mano Masayasu is an average smith, this blade looks to be better than his usual work.

 

With polishing, you get what you pay for; there is nothing more expensive than a cheap polish and while this blade may not be financially viable to spend the $3500 or so on a professional polish, it shouldn't be made to suffer at the hands of an amateur. There is a good chance that at some point in time this blade will be worth polishing properly and so if it was mine, I would save my money for something better, sell it, or hang on to it with hopes that you can one day do the right thing and have it polished by someone properly trained.

 

Fred's service should be reserved for showa-to, not traditionally made blades.

[obiwanknabbe]

Thanks for your feed back guys.

 

Cabowen, if you would indulge me, what leads you to believe that this is NOT nakirishi mei? Not that i doubt you. It would please me greatly to find out that it is shoshin mei. Are there some telltale signs that you see? I ask only to learn.

 

Best regards,

 

Kurt Knabbe

[cabowen]

Look at the angular way the nakirishi mei is done versus the rounder, smoother way the mei is cut on the others. Additionally, your mei is long, the nakirishi mei is usually done short. Notice the yasuri-me on the nakirishi mei example and then compare to yours.....Completely different...

 

[obiwanknabbe]

Cabowen,

 

That is what I thought as well. Now at least i know someone who knows more than i do agrees.

 

Related, do you know what the deal with the punch mark is below the Mei? The first 2 blades have one, as does mine. It seems deliberate.

As for the blades future, If a polish is going to cost $3500+ for a polish, do you have any idea (rough or otherwise) what this smiths blades are generally worth? I found a few that sold for some pretty prices,$3500- $4550, but two prices do not a good average make. I am in at $400 one this sword. Like i said, its in pretty good shape. The only real problem with it is that there is one ware just above the hamon a few inches past the habaki, and at an earlier point in time, some Darn fool took a belt sander and removed about 1/100th of an inch the cutting edge to dull it. Why someone would do this is beyond me, but they did. I went out on a limb when i bought it with the thinking that it had to be worth more than the $400 I haggled the dealer down to.

 

Again, thank you

Kurt K