Mike Noel Posted May 22 Report Posted May 22 Hi Guys I thought I would share with you a sword I bought recently. I did not pay very much for it at all My thoughts are the blade is to new to be authentic plus the angle grinder marks on the tang.The fuller in the blade has faint but regular tool marks for its full length on both sides similar to the sort of thing a bull nosed mill would leave. The scabbard just does not seem to be right or feel right weight wise the Kojiri? with the numbers and arsenal stamp is slightly thinner than other Gunto swords in my collection. The brazing holding the number stamped Kojiri? in place is still reasonably bright The numbers and Kanji stamped into the Habaki also raise questions The inside of the backstrap has been recently filed to accommodate the handle which appears to be wrapped in genuine Same at least it does not melt Overall it looks the part the hand guard has the 10 petal blossoms 2 in one section and one in the other to make it military as opposed to police issue. The blade is well shaped, hardened, sharp and has a good balance If as I suspect it is a wrong un what I find hard to understand is the amount of effort that has gone into producing something that is not worth a lot of money as in low hundreds as opposed to thousands. Comments and thoughts greatly received IMG_6796.mov Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted May 22 Report Posted May 22 I also think this is a reproduction or fake. Your suspicions are valid. Serial numbers on habaki are a classic Chinese fake practice. Also, Kyu gunto had 3 wire strands on the handle, not 2. Like you, I have always been amazed at the time and effort that must have gone into making fakes. When they are sold and advertised as a reproduction, they are usually asking $150. But they must get the labor so extremely cheaply that even that is a profit for them. Then if someone is willing to pay $1000 they just hit the jackpot. 2 Quote
The Blacksmith Posted May 22 Report Posted May 22 Likewise Bruce, the effort involved in tooling up must be astounding. I have even seen fake WWII No.4 'Spike' bayonets, made in China or India I suppose, complete with all the relevant markings. These even have the tapered steel MK.I scabbards, which were difficult and expensive to produce during the war, which resulted in a tubular steel scabbard being introduced instead. The fakes I have seen for less than $50, just about the same cost as an original! It doesn't make sense, though someone obviously thinks it does. 2 Quote
Tohagi Posted May 22 Report Posted May 22 If I may try a guess... Above the obvious difference of cost of life, there is a difference betwen 1 full hand made sword and each part mass producted by specialised Smith for fake fabs.... This is low, cost kill, process where you sell a lot of junk to get not so mutch bucks... That's why you always see the same mystakes in habaki etc... They don't pretend to fool experts, just a lot of newbies... 1 Quote
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