Shinto Katana

[ChrisW]

Hey guys,

 

I know things have been a bit slow around here with people selling/showing/talking about blades so I thought I'd post another one of my blades. I think this one is either koto or shinto and appears to have Sukesada-like qualities to it. I am just looking for general opinions. I think the blade's overall condition is poor with the polish being non-existent but the blade itself is very healthy so likely only on its first or second polish. It is mumei but I think would be a good candidate to be restored. And I've heard people say you can remove active rust with antler, but what kind and quality of antler?

 

I also have a rather worn tsuba that I've no proper knowledge of; it came with it and fits rather well.. I will post that in tosogu later!

 

Opinions are appreciated!

 

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Chris, if you want opinions on jidai, then please post images of the completely bare blade, showing all of it. Also, high-resolution images are necessary to see any real detail.

[ChrisW]

I am at an impass for high resolution, but I did get a picture of the bare blade and nakago here:

[hxv]

Based purely on the nakago and whatever I can see of the suguta, I would guess shinto.

 

Hoanh

[ChrisW]

I just realized I titled this "Muromachi" katana. I have no idea why I did that! Brainfart I suppose.

[Dave R]

Quick question, is the Ito folded textile, or a rather different braid to what we generally see?

[ChrisW]

I think its an extremely degraded silk. It looks/feels very brittle and probably sat out in the sun for far too long.

[ChrisW]

Can anyone chime in on the active rust removal?

[Dave R]

Can anyone chime in on the active rust removal?

 

 The usual advise for the nakago is to scrape with a piece of bone, antler or horn, and less is more if you know what I mean. Current advise from a reputable source also suggests oiling it, given that we are collectors, rather than Edo era Samurai. 

 

Oil your nakago – The Cutting Edge

 

 For the blade, if you are not going for a (very expensive, long delay) Japanese polish, I suggest Uchiko' the hell out of it, with a good quality Uchiko from a reputable source like Namikawa Heibi! I bought a load (100grm)  from them for a very reasonable price, and they took Paypal. The point about Uchiko is that it does no harm to an out of polish blade, and does remove a fair amount of the crud. Talcum powder works up to a point if you have problems getting the good stuff, and is a damn sight cheaper than the bad stuff.

 

 https://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product/164