Help with ID

[dirtvictim]

Been a while posting. I've been busy making knives and doing custom handles.

Hoping someone can help ID this one. Not expecting it to be anything special based on overall looks.

Has an unusual handle design where the wood has a cutout relief under the wrap, maybe to keep it slim, it is smallish for sure.

signature is very clear as you can see. The habaki has 44404 possibly military and the only numbers on anything.

the menuki are quite small. The blade is Damascus I will drop more pics later.

Thanks, as usual you guys are appreciated. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi David, unfortunately this appears to be a Chinese fake. The style of the handle wrap, fittings, and tang, are all wrong and rather crude. 

[ROKUJURO]

2 hours ago, dirtvictim said:

....signature is very clear as you can see.....The blade is Damascus .....

No, I cannot see the signature. You need to post a close-up photo of the NAKAGO, tip-upwards, dark background, light from the side.
But on the other hand, as the blade is Damascus steel, we don't need more photos, it is clear that it is not Japanese.

[JackDo]

I'm still quite inexperienced, but from the posts and examples I've read so far, it seems that most of the fake or non-Japanese blades are usually made of Damascus steel, right?

[Brian]

Not really Damascus steel. It's usually acid etched....a fake pattern.

[dirtvictim]

A better pic of the signature.

[dirtvictim]

Blade is for sure damascus. 

[Nobody]

35 minutes ago, dirtvictim said:

A better pic of the signature.

 

Ref. 

 

[dirtvictim]

I believe we have a consensus it is not Japanese so I will be using this for parts and I will do a wakizashi and a tanto set out of the blade. Thanks for your help as always you guys are the best.