What do I need to look for?

[Rob]

Hi

I new here and I am just startin to collect Samurai Katanas. I was hoping someone here could tell me what to look for when buying good swords. I have been scamed twice on Ebay. So i need to know what to look for.

thanks

[Brian]

Rob,

 

Welcome to the forum. This is a frequent question, and one that has pages of info in answer to it.

The best way is to visit and read the following links. They will give you a very good background on the subject, and will hopefully guide you in your next purchase.

Feel free to ask here before you make your next purchase, and we will assist you in the decision.

These are all very good sites with a huge amount of info:

Read through them over time, and they should answer all your questions, and some you hadn't even thought of yet :-)

 

http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/fake_j ... words.html

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/faq.htm (good links to what to look for!)

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/realold.htm

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/repro.htm

http://seaox.com/nihonto/ebay_swords.html

http://www.Japanese-swords.co.uk/fakes.html

http://hometown.aol.com/machood/

 

Regards,

Brian

[sencho]

Hi Rob,

 

Let me tell you one thing, you have arrived at the right place.

 

Here is my experience so far as I am not that far in front of you mate and I am a complete novice, having only started studying the subject in any depth in January this year.

 

From the experienced members of this board I have gathered two things.

 

1. Be very very wary of anything offered on ebay.

2. Buy a book or join a club to learn more before you buy, giving you a more informed descision when you finally get your wallet out!

 

I bought a book called the Connoisseur's Giude to Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama, on the advise of Rich Turner, one of the top guys here. This book was a little bit over my head at first, but I found that I did best by trying to decipher desriptions on the commercial Nihonto sites by reading the posts here, reading Rich Stein's site (mentioned by Brian above), and having this book open and next to the computer as well, it really gave me some education on the subject.

 

I think one of the most important things that I learned (over and above how not to get scammed) was how to handle and care for a sword once I have one. That is another way to loose a pot load of cash and destroy your peice of historical art!

 

The next step was to buy a sword or two within my budget

 

The first I bought one of my swords from a dealer called Moses Becerra who is very well known worldwide in the Nihonto community. He is very reputable and his website is http://www.nihontoantiques.com.

 

The other sword I bought actually was on ebay but I thoroughly checked out the seller with a few of the experienced guys and I found out that he was an honest guy. Otherwise I would never buy there until I know a lot lot more!

 

The swords I have are not great, but they are genuine, are both Wakizashi's both with full koshirae (fittings, scabbard, handle, sword guard, etc), but are 300 years apart in age.

 

So now I can study the swords that I have in great detail. I have started by trying to describe the swords myself which has me hitting the research sites and book again.

 

My next step is going to be meeting up with other nihonto collectors in my area (florida) and learning more from their experience and going to some sword shows.

 

Hope this helps... I definitely identify with you as a new "NIHOVICE"! the people on this board are pretty serious (apart from Bungo ) about Nihonto, but are also only too happy to share their knowledge with us duffers, for the good of these histiorical artifact and works of art.

 

Keep the questions coming and enjoy the swords. It is a long road but a bloody good one and even the top guys here will tell you they still learn new things on a regular basis.

 

Cheers

Nigel

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi Rob.

I'm not entitled to give authoritative suggestions, but here is my

2 eurocents :

 

avoid the hurge of buying.

 

It should result in a VERY expensive lesson as was for me.

A sword can seem cheap before restoration and be too expensive after.

Still a good sword, but paid too much. Not a bargain.

Books/knowledge (trips to meetings) are the best first investment.

 

Cheers.

[Rob]

:D Thanks for the info every one. I am hoping to start collecting authentic WW2 swords and older ones too. To tell you the truth the only sword I have is a replica of the sword used by Algrin on The Last Samurai.

[Stephen]

is a very big military show this coming weekend in KY, id go if you could make it, and just ask to look at their swords, always pull the sword from its saya with the edge up riding on its back ..mune... careful not to lean it to its ether side, pull it all the way out with one slow motion hold the blade up and use both hands on the handle, be careful not to touch the blade with your bare fingers, compare different swords you look at as to how the temper lines look, the shape of the curve...sori...the condition of the steel can you see grain pattern?, the more you look at the more you'll learn...put off buying until after books and sites have been read. read the below link and if you have the need to buy on Ebay call the doc >Ill tell you to take to shots and get off the PC, then look at it again in the morning<. its a long fun, strange, confusing and most of all, $$$$$$$ trip your about to set sail on.....have fun.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/care/handling.htm

[David Flynn]

Rob, one of the main things you have to realise, is the difference in price between real and replica. The advice given so far is all correct. However, may I suggest that you also check out some of the dealers sites. This will show you what to aim for. I am not trying to suggest that you only buy from a dealer, I'm only saying this is generaly the quality we strive for.

Definately join a club ( hopefuly there will be one close ) and definately start reading. Also, as Stephan suggested, go to arms shows and see whats for sale and how much. Again though, remember a little knowledge is dangerous. Most of us have probably lost money on swords they thought were ok. Good luck.

[Stephen]

Most of us have probably lost money on swords they thought were ok. Good luck.

the best advice so far

[Rob]

Thanks for the info everyone and were is the show in Ky?

[Stephen]

the Max is in Indiana the show of shows is in KY....sorry

 

http://www.themaxshow.com/

[Rob]

No prob thnkx anyway :D