A Katana, blade looks authentic but fittings seem 'unworthy'

katana · 20th December 2008, 08:28 PM

Hi,
with a user name 'Katana' you'd expect me to know Nihonto ...alas not true

.
This came up on eBay and with several days to go the price reached £310 ....when suddenly eBay 'pulled it'.

The blade was slightly longer than the usual .....the Hamon looks genuine and there seems to be signs of activity in the blade. The Tsuka seems to have lost its braiding. The Tsuba looks to have possible age. Other than the possibility the photos made the blade look 'more genuine' than it was, the Kissaki looks slightly 'dented' . There seems to be some sort of resin securing the Tsuba....I wondered whether this could be a captured blade reworked by natives ...

Cannot refer you to the auction but did get pictures from the seller .....
So , is the blade as good as I thought....
All comments gratefully received, thank you

Merry Christmas
David

stekemest · 20th December 2008, 08:33 PM

Sorry David, your sword is a classic Chinese fake. Koshirae are wrong, blade shape is wrong, Hamon is fake and kissaki is terrible. This "sword" has never seen Japan.

Atlantia · 20th December 2008, 08:49 PM

Yeah, I think ebay did sopmeone a favour.
Doesn't look right at all, I agree with stekemest, modern repro.

katana · 20th December 2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stekemest

Sorry David, your sword is a classic Chinese fake. Koshirae are wrong, blade shape is wrong, Hamon is fake and kissaki is terrible. This "sword" has never seen Japan.

Hi Stekemest,
No need to apologise

, its not mine ......I had too many doubts to bid ...but 'part' of me did start to wonder whether this could be a good blade....when the bidding started to get 'serious' ...

I can see why the kissaki is suspect, but could you explain how you know the Hamon is not 'real'. I thought that the acid etched type has a definate edge (outline) whereas this one seems to more gradual. As to the blade shape ...I can know see what you mean. Thank you for your input.

Hi Atlantia

,
it seems that Nihonto is 'knee deep' in fakes ....never mind......perhaps one day a 'sleeper' could find its way to my door......Santa.....are you listening

Regards David

kisak · 21st December 2008, 07:02 PM

In my eyes, the hamon is far too clear and well defined when compared to the overall condition of the blade. The very thick, high-contrast white line also feels unnatural.

stekemest · 21st December 2008, 07:30 PM

That's what I thought. The hamon is quite clear and well defined and the kissaki has the usual odd fake-shape. The mountings are typical for those fakes too. But looking at the blade again, it looks to me better than the usual fake stuff, though still a fake...
But that's only my opinion, I'm no nihonto expert by far.

20th December 2008, 08:28 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	A Katana, blade looks authentic but fittings seem 'unworthy' Hi, with a user name 'Katana' you'd expect me to know Nihonto ...alas not true . This came up on eBay and with several days to go the price reached £310 ....when suddenly eBay 'pulled it'. The blade was slightly longer than the usual .....the Hamon looks genuine and there seems to be signs of activity in the blade. The Tsuka seems to have lost its braiding. The Tsuba looks to have possible age. Other than the possibility the photos made the blade look 'more genuine' than it was, the Kissaki looks slightly 'dented' . There seems to be some sort of resin securing the Tsuba....I wondered whether this could be a captured blade reworked by natives ... Cannot refer you to the auction but did get pictures from the seller ..... So , is the blade as good as I thought.... All comments gratefully received, thank you Merry Christmas David Attached Images

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20th December 2008, 08:33 PM	#2
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Sorry David, your sword is a classic Chinese fake. Koshirae are wrong, blade shape is wrong, Hamon is fake and kissaki is terrible. This "sword" has never seen Japan.

20th December 2008, 08:49 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Yeah, I think ebay did sopmeone a favour. Doesn't look right at all, I agree with stekemest, modern repro.

21st December 2008, 07:02 PM	#5
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	In my eyes, the hamon is far too clear and well defined when compared to the overall condition of the blade. The very thick, high-contrast white line also feels unnatural.

21st December 2008, 07:30 PM	#6
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	That's what I thought. The hamon is quite clear and well defined and the kissaki has the usual odd fake-shape. The mountings are typical for those fakes too. But looking at the blade again, it looks to me better than the usual fake stuff, though still a fake... But that's only my opinion, I'm no nihonto expert by far.