Recommendation? Louie Mills Blade

T

Timunc101

Joined
Mar 9, 2022
Messages
8
Good morning,

I am new to the forum. A few weeks ago I purchases a blade at a gun show out of a box of unfinished and broken blades. I had no clue what it was but I knew it was good quality. After doing some research, I believe it is possibly a Louie Mills blade. I am trying to determine who I could contact first to see if it is real. Second, I would like some advice, if it is real, on if it should be completed and if so who should I get to complete the work? I had some issues uploading the pictures so hopefully this will work. Thank you for all the advise.

 
You found a GREAT relic. I was curious and found a page from a BF member which had a video of him creating a tanto, not too long ago.

Louie Mills (1944-2018) - Crossed Heart Forge

I just received word that Louie Mills (Yasutomo – 康友) has moved on to the next stage of life, passing peacefully in his sleep this morning. A friend to many and generous with his knowledge and craft. He will be missed on… Continue reading →
islandblacksmith.ca islandblacksmith.ca

The video thumbnail had his blade. I took a screengrab, and it matches yours precisely.

I have no ideas further, but he is VERy respected and sought after.

[EDIT] Video thumbnail blade may have been another's. See below posts.


Screen Shot 2022-03-09 at 10.17.53 PM.png
 
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K KenHash might be able to help!!!!! I know he can read the inscription. "Kanji" text maybe but I'm not knowledgeable!!
Good luck!!
 
Thank you all for the help. I am very excited about the find. Do any of you have any advise on If I should have the blade finished or if I should just leave it the way it is? If so who should I send it to or contact to have it done properly. The last thing I would want to do is take a nice piece of craftsmanship and dishonor it by not having it finished correctly. Lastly, I am guessing it is a yari blade like JParanee JParanee suggested. Any other ideas on the type of blade?

​

 
Wow that is cool.
I think at minimum I would find someone to make a shirasaya, a plain scabbard just to mount and store the blade.
The coolest yari I saw was a Tokugawa period mount; the blade was hidden in what looked like a bamboo staff, I think called shikomizue style.
 
Timunc101 said:
Thank you for your reply, Do you think it is something I should try to get finished and if so who would you recommend?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I have no idea who you could turn to to complete the Yari, assuming (1) you are innthe US and (2) you actually want a completed spear.
Yari heads were usually kept in Cloth bags or wood sayas so I agree with the aboive post that at the very least you might want to start with that.
 
That is amazing. I think I will try to get ahold of Rick and see if he will finish mine. Thank you for the help.

v/r
Tim
 
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