Katana Identify Help

I do not claim any particular expertise but it looks like a low quality Chinese katana (Tachi actually) approximation. In short pretty mich what I would expect to find at most knife shops. I personally would not bother to take it apart.
 
What makes you say that? It’s clearly handmade - the hamon is too uneven/broken to be otherwise?
I think the mokume grain structure is beautiful. You have seen this in low quality Chinese swords?
Also you can’t tell from pics...but it looks and feels old. The lacquer has micro cracks. The knife shop got it from a guy who owned a pawn shop 30 years ago. An old man brought it in and said it is from WWII. I think it’s much older.
 
Triton said:
I do not claim any particular expertise but it looks like a low quality Chinese katana (Tachi actually) approximation. In short pretty mich what I would expect to find at most knife shops. I personally would not bother to take it apart.
Click to expand...

Triton - why do you say Tachi? Tachi’s have much more curved blades (very little curve in this blade) Plus they are worn blade down. This is blade up. So Katana, no?
 
Welcome aboard

No. The hangers are fitted on the spine side, so the edge would be on the bottom when worn. It is indeed a knock off of a genuine sword. There is no real reason to take it apart. A little knowledge goes a long way to understanding this to be a decorative sword.

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/

Cheers
GC
 
Hi
horseclover said:
Welcome aboard

No. The hangers are fitted on the spine side, so the edge would be on the bottom when worn. It is indeed a knock off of a genuine sword. There is no real reason to take it apart. A little knowledge goes a long way to understanding this to be a decorative sword.

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/

Cheers
GC
Click to expand...

Hi GC,
So if there is a mei it’s probably a fake?
What else indicates a knock-off?
Is it a handmade knock off?

Thanks for your reply.
 

Also, is it hard to take apart and put back together? I mean why won’t I want to take it apart to see what’s there?

Thanks
 
Given an opportunity for you to learn, it does not appear anything I might further offer will help you understand what you believe to be authentic is a decorative sword.

Enjoy
GC
 
I don’t know if it’s authentic or decorative. That’s why I’m posting on here!
But a link to a bunch of articles is not helpful. I simply want to know WHY it’s decorative. All of the things that you see that point to that. If you don’t want to tell me - no worries.
 
I hate to be blunt, but after reading the previous posts it is clear you don't want help with this.
You only seem want someone to agree with your preconceived notion that it is Japanese and you didn't get ripped off.

Read this slowly and let it sink in: CHINESE FAKE !!!

"What makes you say that?" "I simply want to know WHY it’s decorative"
Obviously not what you want to hear but, everything about this thing screams Chinese fake!
Blade geometry is wrong!
Hada is wrong!
Bohi and boshi are horrible!
The entire koshirae is wrong, fittings are clearly not Japanese!
You did not provide a photo of the nakago (Tang) or mei but I will bet you $500 it is wrong also!

"Also you can’t tell from pics...but it looks and feels old."
Yes I can and no, it does not!

"the hamon is too uneven/broken to be otherwise?"
It may be handmade or partially handmade, but if it was, it was handmade in China!

"I think the mokume grain structure is beautiful. You have seen this in low quality Chinese swords?"
Yes, it is one of the first things that indicates a Chinese fake.

"An old man brought it in and said it is from WWII. I think it’s much older."
He was wrong. You are wrong, it's not!

"I mean why won’t I want to take it apart to see what’s there?"
They are just telling you that it is a pointless, waste of time.

This post clearly indicates that you have absolutely no knowledge regarding Japanese swords. But thats ok, let this be a lesson for you. Study, read, learn before you throw your money away again.

I am providing you with a couple of links which may help. Here you can read some basic info and look at some legitimate Japanese swords.
If you would like some help in acquiring a genuine Japanese sword contact me, I will point you in the right direction.
http://yakiba.com/beginner_page.htm
http://yakiba.com/Newlisting.htm
 
SouthernComfort said:
I hate to be blunt, but after reading the previous posts it is clear you don't want help with this.
You only seem want someone to agree with your preconceived notion that it is Japanese and you didn't get ripped off.

Read this slowly and let it sink in: CHINESE FAKE !!!

"What makes you say that?" "I simply want to know WHY it’s decorative"
Obviously not what you want to hear but, everything about this thing screams Chinese fake!
Blade geometry is wrong!
Hada is wrong!
Bohi and boshi are horrible!
The entire koshirae is wrong, fittings are clearly not Japanese!
You did not provide a photo of the nakago (Tang) or mei but I will bet you $500 it is wrong also!

"Also you can’t tell from pics...but it looks and feels old."
Yes I can and no, it does not!

"the hamon is too uneven/broken to be otherwise?"
It may be handmade or partially handmade, but if it was, it was handmade in China!

"I think the mokume grain structure is beautiful. You have seen this in low quality Chinese swords?"
Yes, it is one of the first things that indicates a Chinese fake.

"An old man brought it in and said it is from WWII. I think it’s much older."
He was wrong. You are wrong, it's not!

"I mean why won’t I want to take it apart to see what’s there?"
They are just telling you that it is a pointless, waste of time.

This post clearly indicates that you have absolutely no knowledge regarding Japanese swords. But thats ok, let this be a lesson for you. Study, read, learn before you throw your money away again.

I am providing you with a couple of links which may help. Here you can read some basic info and look at some legitimate Japanese swords.
If you would like some help in acquiring a genuine Japanese sword contact me, I will point you in the right direction.
http://yakiba.com/beginner_page.htm
http://yakiba.com/Newlisting.htm
Click to expand...

SouthernComfort I very much appreciate your bluntness and detailed response. Thank you.
 
:thumbsup:

Don't be distraught, you are far from the first person to make this mistake. The key is knowledge, but knowledge is only gained by desire and the willingness to study and learn.

"Knowledge is Power"
-Sir Francis Bacon 1597
 
As previously noted Japanese swords are not my particular area, but even to the casual observer this one has major problems. Those were already addressed above. Most of us blew it on our first sword. This one is better than the one I bought. Even in my area I would be extremely careful in purchasing purported originals. I know many things to look for... But not everything to look for. There is no substitute for study and research.
 
Even with all this above being said if it has an actual hamon it's probably 1045 carbon steel-meaning you can enjoy some light cutting with it. Start slowly to be on the safe side. Light cutting means water bottles, large fruit and rolled up and taped newspaper or cardboard, not hardwood or bones. Always do side cuts, never use it like a meat cleaver because if it snaps guess where the snapped off portion will go? - Back at you. One side of the peg is smaller than the other, tap the small side and it should come out. If you mess it up, whittle a chopstick from a takeout place into a new peg, you wouldn't be the first to do that.
 
I can't see the pics at all.

I own no Japanese swords. I've read, watched videos, perused real examples for years, watches videos of Japanese Smith's make them...and also many videos and WIP's for foreign sword smiths making their versions.


I'd not be confident in buying one my self, outside of some recommended sources here.

Stick around and use the knowledge here. It is a valuable resource, even if you are not in the market for a Japanese sword.
 
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