Sword information

[KellyAT]

Grandfather brought it back from Korean War need information any help appreciated Thanks Kelly

[nulldevice]

Do you have any pictures of the tang of the blade underneath the handle? The handle can usually be removed and is held in place with a bamboo pin. That will reveal if the blade is signed underneath. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Kelly,

Here you will find care and cleaning, including how to remove the handle:

https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

But don't force anything. If the handle comes off easy, fine. If not, wait till you can get someone who knows Japanese swords to help. Your sword is a dagger: tanto in Japanese. The small knife and fancy handle are called kogatana and kotsuka. The signature on the small knife is almost certainly not a true signature; they almost never are. If the tanto is signed it will be under the handle and should be more meaningful.

Best of luck and don't be in a hurry for anything, including selling it to one of the sharks who likely will contact you.

Grey

[KellyAT]

[KellyAT]

Thank you for the information the metal is really hard to see anything  any way to clean the metal to see a signature better

[nulldevice]

Dont do anything to clean the tang or blade! That will ruin any value in the blade. 
 

the pictures you supplied of the tang are perfect.

[Mark S.]

Blade is not signed which is not uncommon.  As has been previously stated, do NOT try to do anything to clean blade or tang.  ‘Shiny’, ‘polished’ or ‘clean’ does not apply to Japanese swords.  Resist any effort to improve the blade.  Better to do nothing.  The rust on the tang is supposed to be there and any attempt to clean the blade could cause a lot of damage.  Also, please try to not handle blade with your bare hands.  Holding it by the tang with your hands is ok, but not the blade.  Acids from your skin can further damage the blade.   Depending on where you are in US, we might be able to point you to someone who could guide you, or if you are local to a show, you can get a lot of good advice.  

[KellyAT]

Please that would be great central PA we are interested in selling or near Raleigh NC 

[Rivkin]

The blade is probably not too old, maybe shinshinto, with period yasurime. Unusually shaped nakago.

The work itself, little is seen, but it has a Soshu feel with long kaeri (?).

[KellyAT]

On 9/2/2025 at 8:15 AM, Mark said:

Kelly

 

saw your post. i live in Toledo Ohio.  I will be traveling to York PA later this month.  If you are near there i would be happy to look at the sword and offer any help i can

 

thanks

 

mark jones

nixe@bright.net 

 

[KellyAT]

Ok please keep us posted we are close to that area 

[ROKUJURO]

In the meantime, NEVER touch the blade with your bare fingers!