chinese blade in genuine japanese WW2 koshirae

[werner]

Hi,

 

Just to create an awareness...the latest thing I came across is that you can buy genuine ww2 Japanese koshirae with Chinese blades...this might be difficult to spot in the future....

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-98-Gunto-Folde ... 35ae01d516

http://shop.ebay.com/kwangsu2005/m.html

 

In this case the seller at least mentions this fact in the posting: "We import/purchase some gunto koshiraes only from Japan and fit our blade into that. "

 

The problem will be that this swords could circulate and the buyers might "forget" to mention the origins of the blades....

 

Jock

[werner]

.....I for my part (based on my novice-like knowledge) would have taken the following for a genuine one - this one really freaked me out:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-98-Gunto-Morde ... 35ae01c6e4

 

Jock

[werner]

.....company behind this ebay posting:

 

http://www.red-dragonfly-sword.com/

 

Jock

[Toryu2020]

It had to happen at some point,

I certainly hope nobody is spending 1700 dollars on showato these days without seeing pictures of the nakago but I am sure I am too optimistic...

-t

[Mark Green]

There are a lot of pretty good looking Japanese style swords being made in China right now. Many, are being made in most of the traditional Japanese way. With traditional steel.

I have seen a few that would really make you want to hold them for a closer view.

The guys that are not mass producing swords, and have very high standards, seem to be right up there with some of the best Western smiths.

No matter what, they are still not a Japanese sword. If that matter to you.

 

The sword in the ebay sale looks as good as any mass produced gunto. maybe better then most. It would be interesting to see if they will send you pics of the nakago, and close pics of the steel. I may do that right now.

For some strange reason, most of the Chinese smiths just can't get a clue about the finish on a nakago.

Most of the quality smiths have.

[Surfson]

The hada on those is pretty impressive, though the hamon leaves much to be desired. I suspect that you are right that the nakago would give away the ruse.

[Curgan]

Kaneie make decent modern production blades and are honest in their dealings. That from a JSA and personal experience perspective. Their blades are better company to the koshirae that a tsunagi or a stainless steel blade, but nevertheless very far from a nohonto...