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Rizzler
16th February 2008, 04:26
Hello.

A few years ago i got hold of this katana you can se on the images bellow. i have recently gotten told it's a fake and i dont know what to do. so i wonder, what can you tell me about this katana from the images? (there is closeups on the blade) is it fake? is it worth to keep ?

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167102.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167103.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167104.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167105.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167106.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167107.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167108.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167109.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167110.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167111.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167112.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167113.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167114.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167115.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167116.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167117.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167118.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167119.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167120.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167121.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167122.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167123.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/binbo2004/1x167124.jpg
Erik Tracy
16th February 2008, 05:04
Where did you get it and who did you buy it from - if we may ask?

How much did you pay for it - if that is not being rude?

I will say from my limited knowledge of katana that the blade looks far too heavily etched for what is typical of an authentic katana made and polished in a traditional manner.

The shape of the tip is also very poor and the shape of the handle and wrappings do not seem of a very high calibre.

The overall package does seem to say 'not authentic'.

But my opinion is not that of an expert - others may have more to offer by way of more experience.

Erik
kdlarman
16th February 2008, 18:21
I'm sorry, but it is a poorly made reproduction. No real value.
kakuma
17th February 2008, 05:06
Have to agree with Mr. Lardman. Definately a cheap repro that has been made to look old. Sorry...
TonyU
17th February 2008, 13:42
That's all well and good but how about explaining what differentiates a real or good katana from a fake one to us neophytes.
Granted I don't expect to become an expert via a forum but maybe a little lesson that can a keep a consumer from making a mistake in the future.
Just saying its fake does no good.
kdlarman
17th February 2008, 15:46
Have to agree with Mr. Lardman.

Hey, I've been losing weight lately... ;)
kdlarman
17th February 2008, 15:48
That's all well and good but how about explaining what differentiates a real or good katana from a fake one to us neophytes.
Granted I don't expect to become an expert via a forum but maybe a little lesson that can a keep a consumer from making a mistake in the future.
Just saying its fake does no good.

Rich Turner put together a really nice page with photos here:

http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/fake_japanese_swords.html

Basically the best way to identify fakes is to see some really nice swords first. Once you've become familiar with how the real deal looks the fakes become obvious.

edit: As an afterthought maybe a good analogy is to compare it with martial arts. If you have no experience at all the fast sword work by the random strip mall Grandmaster Soke Sifu Sensei Billy Bob of Farting Weasel style Kenjutsubattoninpodo-fu may not seem any different from anything else. But a little time spent in a traditional art will quickly show you what the "real deal" is. Then billy-bob ends up looking, well, like something else...

Legal Disclaimer -- any similarity to any "trained in the weeds by mystery anonymous Japanese fella" martial arts master is strictly coincidental. This and the preceeding paragraph were written tongue firmly in cheek. Please don't sue me...



On the sword pictured the steel is wrong, the shape is wrong, the fittings are all poorly cast, and on and on.
kakuma
17th February 2008, 17:18
LOL...

Hey Keith, I apologize for that, my fat hands added an extra letter and I did not notice it. Great link by the way.
Rizzler
17th February 2008, 19:59
thank you all for the information... :)

where could i buy a good quality katana from ?
socho
17th February 2008, 22:46
lots of places. depends on your budget, requirements and your standards.

Dave
Brian Owens
18th February 2008, 06:49
where could i buy a good quality katana from ?
As socho says, where to buy depends on what your are looking for: collectable antique, modern art sword, practice piece for iai (once told by your sensei that you are ready for a live blade), etc.
Ken-Hawaii
21st February 2008, 21:45
I think questions like these are best handled on another forum completely.

I highly recommend the Nihonto Message Board at http://www.militaria.co.za. You will find several hundred well-versed collectors & togishi who can answer almost any question relating to Nihonto.

Have fun!