How would you get on collecting without personal imports?

[Alex A]

Hypothetically speaking, Just wondering how folks from differing countries would get on without being able to import, especially from Japan?. Not just talking swords, fittings etc too.

 

This isn't about UK, though what's happening in the UK has made me aware, aware that what is available here will kill the hobby for me. Looking at the well known dealer here, prices are sky high. Looking at obscure military sites, people want high prices for junk and i mean junk.

 

Anyways, lets assume you cant personally import swords from Japan, how would you get on with what's available? The US has always been a good place to look, perhaps the huge amount of WW2 bring backs played a part?.

[Mikaveli]

The UK is a small market, but good swords are out there. However, few seem to enter the market aside from estate sales etc.

 

Even then, when a big auction house gets them, no guarantee that they'll (all) stay in the UK.

[David Flynn]

I feel with the downturn of Postal Services, importing now, is becoming very expensive.  When one sees a sword that one wants to buy now, how much does the importing restrictions come into consideration? 

Personally at present, I'm very loathe to sell internationally.   I have some very good swords I would like to sell, however, the way the international market is at present, I'm not bothering.

[Alex A]

Understandable David. Narrows the margin but Australia seems a vibrant place as far as Nihonto collecting goes so you will probably move them on there when the time comes.

 

Pleased to find out through Michael at the Token society earlier that the UK membership numbers are far better than i would have thought, which does make me more optimistic about the future and selling swords within the UK. I don't want to ship Katana in particular abroad anymore. The last two katana i sold were actually to UK gents, i forget that. I guess i just get wound up from the negative stuff about shipping overseas and hassles with imports.

 

The worst part of the hobby.

 

Michael, pretty sure there are good swords out there in the UK. The trouble is limited choice. You know how it is, collect for a certain amount of time, know what you like and what you have missed out on in the past, then you have your sights on something in particular which would be difficult to get a hold of here.

 

 

[Schneeds]

I would curious to hear the opinions of some of our US dealers with the current situation. I assume they procure swords from Japan from time from to time, and now we're looking at a 15% cost increase there for no reason. 

 

Putting aside the fact that tariffing antique goods is unequivocally outside the scope and authority of the President, there's zero chance I'm importing something in the next three years. I'll be damned if I'm going to throw away thousands and deal with this uncertain new process.  

 

If it's still like that in five years... I don't know. The more focused my collection goals and the higher they get, the more patient I'd need to be at home, and maybe never find what I want. 

[Alex A]

15% is an hefty increase, jeez. Money seems to go nowhere these days,

[Rawa]

Compare Trump/Zelensky oval office meetings. One current one and the other "where is your suit" incident. Pay attention to background 

[David Flynn]

Alex, collecting in Oz isn't what it used to be.  There are now only small groups of collectors or individuals.  The small groups are getting smaller.  Sydney used to have a vibrant scene, it's now dead.

[Alex A]

I didnt know David, always assumed all was good over there.

[Lareon]

I've gone and collected a few from other countries to bring them in myself in recent times. This year i was in new york simply to meet up with a NMB member to buy a ko-gassan blade which i brought back to the uk on the plane with me.

shipping fees on imports are high £300-£400 

A return flight to new york £300
 

[Rawa]

Imagine UK before brexit

[Alex A]

Tony, i see the logic.

 

Though i guess not for me. Don't like airports at the best of times and the last thing i would want to do is bring a sword back with me.

 

 

[Lareon]

Well I had a day in New York. Got to inspect the blade. Chatted with the seller all for the same price as delivery.

 

Travelled to Germany a few times to collect too (more expensive as I drove)

 

It's more fun. It's cheaper usually and customs is easier than a delivery.

 

If someone wants to pay my ticket I'll happily travel the world picking up swords for them!

 

[Alex A]

I just have a vision of getting to the desk and having **** over it, that would be my luck.

[Lareon]

Luckily I travel a lot for work so I've managed to pick stuff up on business trips.

[Alex A]

One day, might give it a go, thanks