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Thread: katana Appraisal?

  1. #1
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    Default katana Appraisal?

    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/imag...4/1x167102.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167103.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167104.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167105.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167106.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167107.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167108.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167109.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167110.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167111.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167112.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167113.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167114.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167115.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167116.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167117.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167118.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167119.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167120.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167121.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167122.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167123.jpg
    http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imag...4/1x167124.jpg

  2. #2
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    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

  3. #3

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    I'm sorry, but it is a poorly made reproduction. No real value.

  4. #4
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    Have to agree with Mr. Lardman. Definately a cheap repro that has been made to look old. Sorry...
    Dale Joseph
    Jinenkan Butoku Dojo

    With "Justice and Unity" as our motto, the Jinenkan will continue to emphasize the fundamentals, faithful to the Densho, in pursuit of natural movement which is as unforced as the flow of clouds and water"... - Manaka Unsui Sensei

  5. #5
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    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.
    Tony Urena

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by kakuma View Post
    Have to agree with Mr. Lardman.
    Hey, I've been losing weight lately...

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by TonyU View Post
    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/fak...se_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.
    Last edited by kdlarman; 17th February 2008 at 16:56.

  8. #8
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    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.
    Dale Joseph
    Jinenkan Butoku Dojo

    With "Justice and Unity" as our motto, the Jinenkan will continue to emphasize the fundamentals, faithful to the Densho, in pursuit of natural movement which is as unforced as the flow of clouds and water"... - Manaka Unsui Sensei

  9. #9
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    thank you all for the information...

    where could i buy a good quality katana from ?

  10. #10
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    lots of places. depends on your budget, requirements and your standards.

    Dave
    Dave Drawdy
    "the artist formerly known as Sergeant Major"

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rizzler View Post
    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.
    Yours in Budo,
    ---Brian---

  12. #12
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    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!
    Ken Goldstein
    --------------------------------
    Judo Kodansha/MJER Iaido Kodansha/Jodo Oku-iri
    Fencing Master/NRA Instructor

    "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it'll annoy enough people to be worth the effort."

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