Brian Posted March 22, 2011 Report Posted March 22, 2011 Keith, If I am correct, then Jason is seeking out a polisher merely to have an in-hand opinion from someone with more experience than himself. Not seeking a polish, just more advanced advice than can be had from pictures online. If this is the case, then Jason...you are 100% correct and that is what we always advise. I would encourage that action wholeheartedly. I doubt the sword is worth a full polish, but nothing wrong with getting better advice and learning more about what you have here. At worst you will learn stuff that you cannot learn from pics. Good luck. Brian
gtstcactus Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Posted March 22, 2011 Keith, Why are you so concerned with what and how I spend my money? You've been on at me since day 1 about how and what I spend my money on. The sword is for my pleasure, not yours. I never said I thought it was a national treasure, only an idiot would suggest it to be. I was primarily seeking some advice / and a hands on opinion / evaluation of my sword. However if I did want it polished, why would I want it polished? Well I would have thought that was pretty damn simple.... Don't most nihonto look nicer when given a polish by the right person, if the blade can take it? I'll bet it can take another polish comfortably. I'm not collecting things based on other peoples standards, I collect whatever the hell I want. So what if it's an average blade for an average price, that would make it a fair deal. Weren't more samurai than not of average status and wealth? Keith, you really seem to be snob. This board says dedicated to the study and preservation of Japanese swords and fittings. SO WHAT ABOUT THE PRESERVATION AND/OR STUDY OF THE AVERAGE Japanese SWORD???? I will be sending it to James Jordan (as recommended by fellow board members) and we will see what he has to say about it. Like he said, "....as you are correct, that photo's will not give the whole picture in evaluating a blade." Keith, please refrain from hijacking the thread. At no stage have I asked for your or anyone elses opinion on what to do with my money.
Brian Posted March 22, 2011 Report Posted March 22, 2011 Most of us here are snobs. I know I get a lot of flak about this via pm..but funny enough, always from newcommers that buy mediocre stuff and who want to get nice warm fuzzies about their "Samurai swords" Sorry folks..no matter what the pretty picture above says, studying Japanese swords and encouraging preservation means that the swords have to be worthy of preservation and study. None of us care if you like pretty pointed metal impliments that are very old. You can even post them here and ask questions about them. Most times, you even get polite and decent info about them. However when you don't get the answers you want...then people get indignant and pull the "elitist" card. Sorry...but this is an expensive and intricate pasttime. Probably more-so than 95% of the hobbies out there. No-one says you have to have huge money or buy Juyo all the time. But at least have the good sense to study good stuff and WANT to acquire better swords. What we say here is read by over 10,000 people every month. Those are the guys who need to be warned that spending money on mediocre swords is not advised. If we tell you it is ok to do..then we are telling everyone it is ok. And that isn't ok. Call it elitist if you like. Personally...I don't think it is. If recognising the importance of preserving 1000 year old art is elitist, then I guess we are. Sorry..but someone's rusted, bent and full of fukure bundle swords is NOT worth a polish, and even if you like the idea that some Samurai might have touched it once...it is not what the study of art is about. This is akin to getting angry with a Picasso forum because they don't agree with you that Aunt Flo's watermellon still-life has value. No-one has EVER suggested people stop posting images of poor swords. But if you choose to post them, please accept the advice given. Even if you don't like it..it is for the benefit of the other 10,000 people reading too. What you want is really unimportant in the grand scheme of things..what is better for this study and the preservation of such, IS. It seems to me that more and more people come here to post about one or 2 average swords, and then once they have their info (which usually consists of a totally unrealistic expectation that we can tell them who made their sword, where and exactly when) they disappear as they now have their "Gen-you-ine Sam-you-raai sword" and can get back to real life. Do they even go on to become serious students and collectors of Nihonto? I put it to you that the ones who took the criticism to heart, stuck it out, and learned from the advice did. They are still here, and in many cases now give advice to others. If you can handle the truth, then maybe you might have the makings of a collector. Otherwise...admit you are just an accumulator and be happy with the info you get. This isn't directed just at you Jason, more to the few people who have recently emailed or pm'ed me with accusations of elitism or being a snob. No...we are just doing the right thing in the hopes of saving a few people out there from making mistakes. I have said it before, and not scared to admit that none of my own swords are in polish or papered. I would however like to think that I know enough to recognise which ones are mediocre and which ones should oneday be sent for polish when I have the funds though. This isn't elitism...it is a desire to do better and learn more..and above all else...teach others the same thing. Brian
ububob Posted March 22, 2011 Report Posted March 22, 2011 Standing O for the rant. Personally, I always thought Aunt Flo's work was overrated.
kusunokimasahige Posted March 22, 2011 Report Posted March 22, 2011 I love it when snobs rant, because those rants are genuinely more eloquent, intelligent and pleasant to read ! BTW you arent. And about Aunt Flo, i still have the portrait Vincent van Gogh painted for her, however it was so art nouveau that no one believes it was actually done by him... KM
gtstcactus Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Posted March 22, 2011 I don't have a problem with what people have to say about the swords I post...... I simply hoped someone could based on what can be seen from the photos give any USEFUL informationas to an area where it may have been made. What I'm not interested in is people telling me what to spend my money on. I've been buying plenty of books for study and research, I am not going to dissapear now that I've got my "real samurai sword". Now who decides what is and isn't worthy of preservation? Surely thats up to the owners of swords and the people who do the restoration work.... Not a bunch of arm chair experts. Yes I know there are plenty of published authors here, but still that does not make them the judge and jury on what is worthy and what is not. I never asked for warm fuzzies, just facts, useful information. Not really so interested in personal opinions on my sword being average or not. The study of art is different for everyone.... What you like, I might not and vice versa. Brian, you mention the desire to do better.... I thought I had with this purchase..... So maybe I've gone from below average to just average now.... So what? big deal it's my money! The elitist/snob card has nothing to do with not getting the answers I want.... I'm glad to receive useful information... Keith has done nothing for this thread other than regurgitate what has been previously said, and be "intrigued" as to how and what I spend my money on. That is not keiths concern!
gtstcactus Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Posted March 22, 2011 Sorry folks..no matter what the pretty picture above says, studying Japanese swords and encouraging preservation means that the swords have to be worthy of preservation and study.Brian Why don't you change it to "Dedicated to the study and preservation of Japanese swords and fittings with $2000 polishes" or "Dedicated to the study and preservation of Japanese swords and fittings deemed worthy by the members"
Jamie Posted March 22, 2011 Report Posted March 22, 2011 Jason, Brian works hard to keep this site going for all of us.
gtstcactus Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Posted March 23, 2011 Jason, Brian works hard to keep this site going for all of us. I appreciate that and am grateful for it. I am not so grateful for those who feel the need to tell me what to do with my money. kusunokimasahige: Your picture isn't loading.
gtstcactus Posted March 23, 2011 Author Report Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks so much guys.... could really have done without the hijacking!
John A Stuart Posted March 23, 2011 Report Posted March 23, 2011 I was going to leave this to Brian as it was addressed to him, but, this has gone beyond the pale. Do not judge people by their on-line presence, rarely does it give an accurate impression of who the person really is, sometimes not. John
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