drbvac Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 To all those who know better than I. My blades are in varying degrees of polish from 70 - 90% and none are papered although I do have some documents having sent some info years ago to AOI. I am, having no intention of selling any during my lifetime, pretty protective of them considering the research etc done and believe it or not - Terrified to send them anywhere for polish. I figure being on the East Coast of Canada, that I may send them off into limbo never to be seen again. I also paid anywhere from 500 to 10000 for them so am not sure if it would be worth the extra 2-3 thousand to polish and paper. These aren't investments - I just like to have them and look at them. So would you send them off to be done? Quote
Guest Lee Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 Hi drbvac, I think most polishers have a reputation to carry . I would fear the shipper more than I would the polisher. If you have a good sword with a good signature, then I would have it done. Fedex shipping and Robert Benson polisher. Lee Quote
John A Stuart Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 I have sent a couple for polish and if all the paperwork is done right and kept for the sword's return there should be no problem. I just want to add it needn't leave Canada to be polished by a Japanese trained polisher, Takeo Seki in BC. This would save on the taxes and customs hassle. I also want to take the time to congratulate Leon Kapp for his award in Japan at the NBTHK polishing competition. There are only two certified Japanese sword polishers in the US, Leon Kapp and Jimmy Hayashi, for those interested. John Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 So would you send them off to be done? greetings, the short answer is yes, especially, as JS mentioned, when there is as highly a qualified polisher as Takeo Seki with fairly easy access. Then, again, it is also OK to care for the swords as they are and leave it to the next caretaker to decide otherwise. Still, it would seem such a shame of possibly having an unveiled treasure kept for an entire lifetime under our nose, and never truly see it. There will always be concerns and risks when shipping a sword. What you try to do is to minimize, as much as possible, the risks. Beyond these issues there is of course the other big IF, of whether or not there is a sword worthy of polish. This is a question that the owner along with the polisher need to answer. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder has its limits when it comes to nihonto. Another (rhetorical) question in all of this is at what point, when we hold on so tight to our "treasures" that we are not willing to restore them, providing they're worthy, do our treasures really begin to own us? Quote
Bungo Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 how about Louis Skebo ( spelling ? ) of Toronto ? Like they say...... what happened in Vegas, stay in Vegas ( sub. Vegas for any Canadian town of your choice ). milt Quote
Jacques Posted May 11, 2008 Report Posted May 11, 2008 Hi, do our treasures really begin to own us Only for a short time (maximum, until we pass away) they are theoretically more durable than us :lol: Quote
drbvac Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Posted May 12, 2008 Hi, do our treasures really begin to own us Only for a short time (, until we pass away) they are theoretically more durable than us :lol: More than thoeretically --- at 700 years its 10 lifetimes or 30 generations who have enjoyed the treasures - I am just glad to have been one of them :D Quote
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