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As a newbie to the Kyu, I thought it would be nice to have a thread where Kyu collectors could compare notes, ask questions, and show their stuff.

 

I got one at auction, that I intend to sell, but I was surprised at it's size. My first one is single-handed, but still a D-ring. This second one is a beast! Double-handed in the tsuka and the blade is twice the width of my first one!

 

I didn't realize there was such variation in sizes.

 

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I never noticed the length variations in these until now (I can see them in Thomas' navy collection above now that I'm noticing!) and quality variations in the handle-work.

 

Just got a Type 8 and a 19 in that batch of 4 gunto. The 19 is longer by almost 2 inches

Type 8 full length - 35 1/2

Type 19 " " - 37 1/4

 

The acid-etched hamons vary quite a bit too. The one on the 19 actully attempted to have some art in it. The shop that made the 19 put more work into all the artwork on the handle. Comparisons below.

 

I'll post these for sale soon. I'd love to keep one, but since i took that hit on the fake 98, I can't afford to keep them.

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That’s a very nice piece Alex, congrats. It amazes me too when I see immaculate gunto. There is a chance this was an early 19, as they produced some with the double Ashi, before they went to single ashi, but odds are in favor that this was a Type 8. All of them had the double, and that would make it even older!

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No link to the type 8 Bruce.

 

Also it's the other way around in regards to 2nd ashi. The majority were made with them, and not having a 2nd ashi was the exception to the normal. If they had not been lost prior to that.

 

The exceptions probably been for the early swords with heavy German influences tunic strap and or when the weather covers were put on.

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No link to the type 8 Bruce.

Also it's the other way around in regards to 2nd ashi. The majority were made with them, and not having a 2nd ashi was the exception to the normal. If they had not been lost prior to that.

The exceptions probably been for the early swords with heavy German influences tunic strap and or when the weather covers were put on.

Well shoot. I've told a couple of guys, now, the wrong poop on that! I re-read that section from Dawson, and see that he says that Type 8 lower ashi were not removable, while Type 19 lowere ashi were removable (though "some" weren't removable), and some later 19s (1930s) came with onely 1 ashi. He also stated the main difference in 8s and 19s were in material specs, but didn't say what that means.

 

How do you distinguish, then, between an 8 and 19?

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13 hours ago, Hamish said:

all numbers matched,

This is only the second Yamamoto Gunto Shop stamp I have and the first one is on a Type98 tsuba.  I don't recall who posted this, but you can see they had the scratched kanji translated.  Yours had the scratched kanji, but they aren't the same name from what I can tell.  Maybe it's the assembler?

 

Also, it does seem that the kyu gunto had more kamon than we see on 98s.   Don't have tracking proof, just an impression.

 

Quite nice Kyu from both of you!

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7 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

This is only the second Yamamoto Gunto Shop stamp I have and the first one is on a Type98 tsuba.  I don't recall who posted this, but you can see they had the scratched kanji translated.  Yours had the scratched kanji, but they aren't the same name from what I can tell.  Maybe it's the assembler?

 

Also, it does seem that the kyu gunto had more kamon than we see on 98s.   Don't have tracking proof, just an impression.

 

Quite nice Kyu from both of you!

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i post that, i found it for sale on Fleabay

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