29Palms Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 I have just registered on this site and would like to inquire as to your opinions of the sword I have pictured herein. This is one of two Japanese Swords my father purchased either on his way to or back from Taiwan in the late 1950's when the ship stopped in Japan. Regretably, the tang has no writing and has three holes. The condition of the sheath is poor. Although the blade appears stained it is actually old Elmer's Glue from inside the sheath when one of my brothers tried to glue the sheath back together when we were kids 30 or 40 years ago. Your comments and questions are gratefully welcomed. test.pdf Quote
sencho Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 Welcome to the board........ what is your name?? Interesting, looks to my (untrained) eye, like a reshaped Naginata (that is a Japanese pole arm). The groove on the shinogi line extending from the habaki is something I have never seen. I actually find the Koshirae interesting. The dragon theme Kozuka (utility knife handle) is kinda cool and looks like same theme is continued on the fuchi kashira, etc... the kojiri (or would you call that an ishizuki?) seems to follow the theme too. Didn't the board cover this shape of saya once before?? Can you post pics of the nakano (tang) of the blade... that would help.... try to remove the habaki (brass coloured collar) too. a picture of the complete naked blade would be good to see. Cheers Nigel Quote
Jacques Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 Hi, My two cents. It is a broken naginata which was reshaped and the groove near the shinogi is the rest of the naginata groove (soe-bi). Quote
Brian Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 I'd like to see a pic of the nakago (tang) before I was to take any guesses. Does seem to have been based on a naginata though. Preferably upload some jpg's, as not everyone will or can open the .pdf. Brian Quote
29Palms Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Posted March 4, 2008 I am sorry for my delayed response to you all and thank you for your information. I have tried for over two hours to upload three pictures of the tang with no success. I am not very good with computers - sorry. The initial photos were taken and formatted by my brother. I would like to provide my email address to you. If there is anyone willing to post these extra three photos, I again, would be grateful. Michael.Manguno@AIG.COM Quote
Jacques Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 Hi, Pictures sent to me by Michael (29palms) Quote
Stephen Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 does anyone else have problems clicking on the pix to enlarge? i get Top TV Bytes...and it locks my screen had to shut down and re boot. Quote
29Palms Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Posted March 4, 2008 The problems I have posting photos is my fault. I do not know how to resize, etc. I don't want anyone to think I was complaining about posting. You guys have been of great help. Thank you, Mike Quote
Stephen Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 monster pix, here are the two you sent me, looks like a nice project. Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted March 4, 2008 Report Posted March 4, 2008 naginata / nagamaki naoshi, o-suriage, appears to have been shortened last in Koto times. Needs to be evaluated in hand, if no serious problems, a good polishing candidate. Quote
Brian Posted March 5, 2008 Report Posted March 5, 2008 Mr Manguno, What is happening here on the blade, or is it just a trick of the light, marks on the blade or other...? Brian Quote
29Palms Posted March 5, 2008 Author Report Posted March 5, 2008 What you see is the reflection of my red shirt with the writing GEORGIA BULLDOGS! Quote
29Palms Posted March 5, 2008 Author Report Posted March 5, 2008 I'd like to thank all those who have commented on this post and / or sent me emails. The information you have given me allows me to make a decision regarding restoration, selling it as is or more likely, doing some cleaning of the blade and simply leaving it as it is for now. This is a great site with knowledgeable and helpful people. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 6, 2008 Report Posted March 6, 2008 Mike, if you'll change your signature to show your name, we can more easily identify you next time around. Quote
DSweet Posted March 8, 2008 Report Posted March 8, 2008 Michael, i haven't seen anyone say this yet. Please don't attempt to "Clean up" the sword yourself. If it is worthy of spending $$ on to get it into new polish, which it looks like it might be, you could ruin any chance it has at becoming a nice collection piece. -Donovan Quote
Stephen Posted March 8, 2008 Report Posted March 8, 2008 completely safe to use goop or oops, just nothing with abrasive in it..id remove the glue and uchiko it till activity shows. hope we get a follow up on this. Quote
29Palms Posted March 8, 2008 Author Report Posted March 8, 2008 Thanks for the tips. I have appropriately changed my site name to Mike - South Florida. Regarding the cleaning of the blade, the only thing I have done is to use WD40 on the glue with my fingernail to try to remove the stuff. It is comming off very slowly. I have wiped the blade with WD40 as well recently. That is all I have done to it. Regarding blade polishing, I am now told it would be over $2K to polish it. Frankly I think that would cost more than the blade may be worth. Though I am impressed with its condition - probably in good shape because it spent so many years in its sheath in an Army footlocker in the hot attic in Atlanta, Ga where my parents lived from the 60's through 2003. I'd be very pleased with its appearance with just the glue removed. I know many people like that new look but the blade is in really excellent shape with almost a mirror finish in most places that it really speaks to me of its age / authenticity / etc. Just my thoughts - but I very much welcome more of yours. And thanks again. Mike Quote
29Palms Posted March 8, 2008 Author Report Posted March 8, 2008 Hmmmm.........I see my signature is now Mike - South Florida but my author name remains 29 palms. Is it possible to change this to my signature name as well? Quote
USMC-LCPL Posted March 8, 2008 Report Posted March 8, 2008 Regarding the Cost of polishing a blade, I would recommend you ask around a little. I got one quote of 800 dollars for a wakizashi polish from one Polisher, and another (much better) polisher did the job for only 350. It's all in who you talk to. As to the investment it's self, 2000 might be more than the sword is worth. It could also be much much less. Find out more about it, the temper line and grain of the steel will help answer that question. Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted March 8, 2008 Report Posted March 8, 2008 Regarding the Cost of polishing a blade, I would recommend you ask around a little. I got one quote of 800 dollars for a wakizashi polish from one Polisher, and another (much better) polisher did the job for only 350. It's all in who you talk to. The cost of a polish cannot be ignored, but remember you usually get what you pay for! I've seen nice swords that after polish knowledgeable collectors simply pass on because of the $350.00 polish. Brings to mind the old fram commercials, pay me now or pay me later. Let me also say that an expensive polish is no guarantee the sword will be polished correctly either, collectors need to do their homework on polishers. Besides, the more one knows about a "good polish", the more appreciation there will be. Quote
29Palms Posted March 8, 2008 Author Report Posted March 8, 2008 Thank you gentlemen for the information. As long as you guys think the WD40 to get rid of the glue is safe I think I will leave the blade alone. I really kind of like the untouched look. Quote
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