Still a begginer, Opinions on polishing.

[canutkan]

Dear all,

 

I have just recently started acquiring information on this particular field and have one question that I am looking for an answer. Due to my location I do not have access to anybody that could take a look at my sword for accurate apraisal. (I have posted the pics of said blade in a topic below)

 

From the current info it looks to be a kai-gunto gendaito blade made by a smith called Numazawa Toshimitsu. (military , hand-made).

 

I got in touch with a few Togi's who were all very very helpful to get a quote about polishing, shirsaya & habaki..

 

The average price is about 3000 Usd. which seems right considering the labour it takes to produce a good polish..

 

Considering that the prices of blades can go from 1000 to 80 000 usd I am in a jam so to speak.

 

One of the Togi's even offered to have a look at the blade and give his opinion before doing any work on it to see if it would benefit from a polish.

 

I am thinking of sending him the blade but am scared as he is in the US and well you know the postal service etc..

 

If there is anyone who could give an approx. value of such a blade it would be very very helpful..

 

Btw, the blade was a present and I am located in Istanbul.

 

and also sorry if my terminology is not 100% accurate, there is a lot to learn

 

Sincerely

 

Can UTKAN

[John A Stuart]

Hi Can Utkan, These are my thoughts. Where I live feels like the dark side of the moon sometimes so I can empathise with your situation. Shipping your sword to have it looked at before committing yourself is a very good idea. Firstly, can you trust your postal system? Can it safely return into your country? Secondly, you have to trust the person to whom you are sending your sword and trust his opinion. Thirdly, investigate 1 and 2 until you are sure that your sword is safe, and do not hurry. Your sword has a specific value, aprox. $2000 to $3000 in good condition. Do you see investing $3000 for a polish? Never mind what you can sell it for, do you value it enough to put out that much money. Personally I do not care about the value, I do what makes me happy and what I can afford of course. Some other collector may appreciate it a couple of hundred years from now. Just a thought. Luck. John