Help with new F&K

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Mike,

 

good to hear from you yeah, I spend far too much time in front of the computer...but it's either here or in my studio you'll find me. I don't get out of the house much

 

As to kantei, I never claimed to be able to kanei anything from pictures at all. To suggest that would be mischievous :| An informal appraisal of what can be seen as opposed to an "in hand" kantei are 2 very different things. ...I wasn't trying to asses who the maker of the f/k might be ( my guess would be a relatively unknown amateur ) I simply tried to demonstrate why I felt it wasn't the work of Ichijo ( something you now seem to agree with)...and unlikely a professional. Personally, I don't feel it's really important to know who made them if they were in fact made as fakes. ( My comments re; the mei being added at the time of manufacture make this point).

 

I can't claim to be an infallible oracle ( despite occasional accusations to that effect...people can be so cruel ) but merely add my perspective based on my practical experiences in this sort of work. I try to maintain an even-handed and impartial "tone" and certainly don't intend to be deliberately rude to anyone...well, at least not in the first instance anyway.

 

I was taught to be very polite when publically asked about a sword or fitting (privately is different). We must respect other collector’s feelings as they are the ones that appreciate and collect these items.

With this I have a real problem...if we apply this approach here we'll achieve very little, everyone can continue believing whatever they wish and we can simply call everything nice.

 

An internet forum isn't the best way for these things to be discussed, or appraised, but for many it's the only access to the subject they have. I take the view, rightly or wrongly, that whatever is posted here can, and should be, of benefit and interest to everyone. Avoiding sensitive issues only means we're not being truthful with each other and we don't learn anything.

 

If someone asks for an opinion and I offer mine I will always be as honest and as clear as I can. I go to quite a bit of effort to illustrate, and clarify my opinions, and never simply "speak from Authority", I can't claim any

 

If anyone doesn't appreciate my approach ( and I've been told that there are loads of people who find me abrasive and arrogant...can't imagine why though ) they can easily choose to block my posts and they'll not see anything at all that I write. I use this option to ignore certain posters on the NMB myself

 

I'll see you at the NMB and no doubt we'll have a far easier discussion in person...it is difficult to "hear" any nuances of tone when reading text.I'll have my latest project in hand for you to appraise, it bears 2 mei...one is genuine while the other is clearly a fake albeit prefixed by "utsushi"

 

regards,

 

Ford

 

p.s edited to add; I hope I haven't suggested that the various criticisms of myself that others may have made have me whimpering in my studio....he he, I've developed a thicker skin than that a professional necessity in my career

I only made reference to them in an attempt to show I don't take myself that seriously all the time

[edzo]

Hi Fred,

 

I am a virgin in this area of expertise but wanted to contribute my thoughts, they may be of no help, anyway it is clear from the photos (only), that they look very well executed and skillfully made. They seem to have a "look" of mordern for some reason, maybe 1950???, just an impression. The secong thing that concerened me was that the signature when compared to Ludoff's posted photos didn't look right on a number of strokes. I will say that probably i'm wrong and that it definately is a beautiful work. Good luck with it.

 

Respectfully,

Ed F