patrick7813 Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 All I have an opportunity to acquire a shin gunto with an older, hand forged blade. The hamon appears as choji. The nagasa is 25 inches. The age or date is unknown (the nakago is bare). There are 2 ji-ware. About 2mm of the kissaki is missing. See pictures. Is this blade salvageable and worth the expense of a polish? Thanks for any thoughts and opinions. Cheers, Quote
cabowen Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 Sad to say but polishing this would be a waste of money. It is a shame to see the large and hideous kizu in an otherwise attractive blade. Since they are in the ji and ha, there is nothing that can be done about them. Unsigned blades with kizu of this type will generally not be economically viable polishing candidates.... Quote
Kevin Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 I suspect that there is another ware waiting to open up if it is polished again; see the dark line cutting through the hamon to the left of picture 4. If so, it is only going to get worse, not better. All in all, I'd leave it well alone. Kevin Quote
patrick7813 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Report Posted March 10, 2011 Chris and Kevin Thank you. I respect your opinions and will follow your advice. I do see the area in the hamon near the kissaki where another opening could occur during polishing (as well as the potential for others currently unseen). It is regrettable since the blade appears otherwise beautiful, excepting these flaws. The mounts also appear in near- mint condition. Regards, Quote
Kevin Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 It's a shame - it was a nice sword many polishes earlier, but there you go. Now I think it needs to be retired. However what should the current owner do with it if they no longer want it? Dumping it in the dustbin seems a shame. I recall reading a year or two ago on a martial artist's blog how he donated his old sword to a Japanese shrine that takes in swords - old ones, worn out ones, unwanted ones etc. Should the current owner be feel like affording a trip to Japan, that might be an option. Kevin Quote
Jean Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 Kevin, This sword had from the start defaults in the forge, which appeared after many polishes. Quote
cabowen Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 I had someone give me several such swords once and I gave them to a swordsmith to cut up and reforge into a new sword.... Quote
Kevin Posted March 11, 2011 Report Posted March 11, 2011 This sword had from the start defaults in the forge, which appeared after many polishes. Well true - but many polishes ago you wouldn't have seen them. Chris, that's another approach. Kevin Quote
Jean Posted March 11, 2011 Report Posted March 11, 2011 These flaws appeared a few polishes ago by the size of them, particularly the fukure. Such defaults don't appear after one polish and the polishers were not very good. Quote
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