Japanese WW2 damascus sword ID?

[ronintattooer]

I have had this sword for many years; the guy I bought it from said was a rare WW2 military sword cut from a damascus steel blank. I had a Japanese neighbor try to translate the characters embossed on the blade, but he could only say he thought the word 'masamoto' was among them. Does anybody here read Japanese well? Here are 2 pics of the kanji that appears on either side just above the habaki. I can try to take better pictures if these are not clear enough. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59046641@N08/5405368905/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59046641@N08/5405983708/in/photostream/

 

[Matthew Stagmer]

I don't know anything about this piece. What I can tell you is that it is not old and 99% sure it was not made in Japan. Looks like 100-200 layers of decent pattern welding though. I would bet that it was made in China as I have seen blades almost exactly like this being pushed as antiques.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I don't know anything about this piece. What I can tell you is that it is not old and 99% sure it was not made in Japan. Looks like 100-200 layers of decent pattern welding though. I would bet that it was made in China as I have seen blades almost exactly like this being pushed as antiques.

^This. :thumbup:

 

[ronintattooer]

Well at least I didn't pay a lot for it! The handle was damaged and was missing the wrapping so I had those replaced with custom parts. I bought it mainly for the blade as I know damascus is very strong... do you think this is a good quality metal just by looking at it?

 

[SShepherd]

can't tell

but just an FYI, "damascus" or patternwelded steel isn't any stronger than a single, monosteel blade.

 

[DennisStrickland]

patterened welded blades can be really strong but if one weld is off the piece can tear or fail. if recent manufacture i doubt it is quality since good damascus is always very expensive. certainly it is fine to hang on the wall.--dennis

 

[ronintattooer]

Thanks for the info, Dennis! I'll keep that in mind as I planned on sharpening it someday for mat-cutting...if it breaks, so be it! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't ruining something valuable!

 

[jimnolimit]

Thanks for the info, Dennis! I'll keep that in mind as I planned on sharpening it someday for mat-cutting...if it breaks, so be it! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't ruining something valuable!

i wouldn't use that sword for actual cutting without it being disassembled and inspected by a person who is knowledgeable. if that sword breaks you could seriously hurt yourself or others. based on what you've said so far, it's my opinion that the guy you bought it off of lied to you. that also makes me also question the sword's construction and the materials used.

question: how much did you pay for it?

p.s. just because it looks like a sword, doesn't necessarily mean it can be used like one.

 

[ronintattooer]

I paid around $350 for it. I don't think the guy was purposely deceiving me, he just didn't know any better either!

 

[jimnolimit]

I paid around $350 for it. I don't think the guy was purposely deceiving me, he just didn't know any better either!

if the guy didn't know the sword's history, he should have said that he really didn't know. i would try to find a japanese sword expert that's local (maybe contact a school that teaches iaido or kendo). before you try to use the sword you'll want to check it out to make sure it will withstand use.

do you have any more pics of the sword?

p.s. you should also try to find out more info on your sword by going on dedicated swords forums.