Need some Serious advice - Katana / Sword

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
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I have a friend who has the good fortune to be wealthy. As he is not a knife person he has asked me for some help. He stated that he wants to purchase a Samurai Sword (or perhaps a Katana) from a well known Japanese smithy, problem is I have very little knowledge of oriental blades and NO idea how to acquire one.

He does not want an older/historical piece, he wants it new and shiny. He does not want it produced by a bladesmith from the states (which I suggested) he wants it from Japan. I explained that it was my experience with handmade knives that he be prepared to get off his wallet, I threw out a figure of $5,000. He said that would be fine.

While I personally think this is absolute nonsense, he is adamant about going through with it. So, has anyone here ever done this? I understand that the Japanese government registers some Swords and keeps track of their ownership. How would I direct him to begin? Is my monetary figure way off??

Thanks in advance.
 
try
don fogg
michel bell
louis mills
howard clark
me!!
there a lot of smiths in this country that can do as well as ANY jap smith ever thought of
harley
 
If your friend insists on the Japanese connection - Murray Carter is the man to contact. He won't make it for (most likely) but, can most certainly connect you with someone who specializes in this sort of metalurgy.
 
I love the swords of Yoshindo Yoshihara and Michael Bell and also really like what I have seen from David Goldberg. $5000 is probably at the entry level for traditional swords by these makers.

You might want to ask this question over at the Sword Discussion Forum, or maybe Robert Marotz will see this thread and give his advice.
 
there a lot of smiths in this country that can do as well as ANY jap smith ever thought of
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I agree with that. If I had an unlimited fund, I'd get one of Michael Bell's cable damascus katana and Howard Clark's L6.

For a true nihonto, Yoshindo Yoshihara would be my first choice. A tanto by Yoshindo can run up to $9,000, I wonder about a katana...
 
there a lot of smiths in this country that can do as well as ANY jap smith ever thought of
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In terms of heat treatment and quality of forging, I would probably agree. Unfortunately, that isn't all there is to a sword, and I don't believe the absolute "best" swords are made in North America. That said, there are a number of sources you can go through. I will say that the best of the North American makers certainly do yield a much better value, and will make a better "using" sword than your typical Japanese smith probably can.

If you insist on Japanese-made swords, there are a number of folks you can get in contact with who have [relatively] new pieces available. There will often be some degree of markup, and if you want a fully custom job, you will need to be put on a waiting list. Waiting lists for very sought-after makers often are measured in years. However, there are places with new blades available, and if he's not terribly picky about the specs of the sword (which he may be if he is a martial artist, but it doesn't sound like it), the wait time is not very long.

Mind you, "older historical" blades without damage remounted will look new to most people. However, if he is adamant about getting a new sword, that's his decision. If he's going to use it, I suppose it would be wiser to use something made by someone who is alive today. :)

Moderate quality swords, sold by the likes of Noshuiaido and even some excellent quality swords run around $7,000-10,000. For top-notch swords by Mukansa-level smiths, you are looking at $20,000+ pretty easily. There is a certain level of care and attention needed for these swords, and it would probably be wise of him to meet with a Nihonto collector to discuss the care, maintenance, and appreciation of swords (many average folks--no offense--will not identify the differences between a $10,000 sword and a $30,000 sword). It is a significant amount of money to just throw into a sword purchase if you are not going to understand what you have. Remind him that if he is going to invest money into a sword and be careless, he should buy me one too for compensation. :D:p But to be serious, he should read some fundamental books on Nihonto (Samurai Sword: a Handbook by John Yumoto, then the Japanese Sword: a Comprehensive Guide by Kanzan Sato. Sorry if I butchered the book titles, recalling from memory) and learn more about appreciating them.

There are many people you can contact about purchasing swords. The first name that comes to mind is Chris Bowen. He also offers new swords in addition to being an older Nihonto collector located in Japan. [edit]: I meant he also collects old swords :D

http://www.ejapaneseswords.com

I'd suggest hooking up with him, he can give you lots of advice for people to turn to or smiths to look at, and how to get a blade set up and mounted and ready to go.

I hope that helps as a starting point :D
 
I was going to answer, but there's nothing I would say that Robert hasn't already. BTW, the proper abreviation of "Japanese" when trying to make sure not to insult anyone is Jpz. I'm sure people use "Jap" all the time without meaning anything bad, but if you're going to get in touch with someone really interested in Jpz swords - even an American - they'll be quite vexed by any use of the term "jap."

BTW, I actually disagree with larry Harley. I think that there are a select few US smiths who can do something just as graceful, effective, and reasonably authentic. Most of the top US makers - such as Howard Clark, who's somewhat of a reference among martial Artists & enthusiasts in the US - make no claim to try to replicate true Jpz styles and techniques, and their work is markedly different from true Jpz blades in style.

JD
 
Originally posted by Joss
I was going to answer, but there's nothing I would say that Robert hasn't already. BTW, the proper abreviation of "Japanese" when trying to make sure not to insult anyone is Jpz. I'm sure people use "Jap" all the time without meaning anything bad, but if you're going to get in touch with someone really interested in Jpz swords - even an American - they'll be quite vexed by any use of the term "jap."

BTW, I actually disagree with larry Harley. I think that there are a select few US smiths who can do something just as graceful, effective, and reasonably authentic. Most of the top US makers - such as Howard Clark, who's somewhat of a reference among martial Artists & enthusiasts in the US - make no claim to try to replicate true Jpz styles and techniques, and their work is markedly different from true Jpz blades in style.


here in east tn its still JAP
people that park in the handicapped parking are crippled not challenged
we all drive suv,s or pickups and there ant no veggie burgers
politically correctness has not happened here yet
and BTW there are American smiths who CAN replicate try jap swords down to the iota
and then there are some who prob make a better sword than they do!!!!!!
harley__________________
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Larry,
you are too funny! do you forge swords in the JAP style? how much would you charge for something like that?

on Bladeart.com, they have a Micheal Bell Katana for sale, the pictures of it are incredible

Tam
 
Larry,
you are too funny! do you forge swords in the JAP style? how much would you charge for something like that?

on Bladeart.com, they have a Micheal Bell Katana for sale, the pictures of it are incredible

Tam

i,m glad someone appreciates hillbilly humor
i didnt mean to offend anyone but it was a good chance to make fun of stuffffff thats wrong w our society
really we r all hillwilliams now(we been to school)
i would get 2500 for full blown sword (cheeeeeeap)
jap shaped sword object thats really functional 1500
harley
:)
 
Just my .02, but for $5,000, you could get a bad ass western-smith blade and likely, the whole package, saya, etc.

He obviously sounds like he wants a nihonto, whether he understands the differences in form and function or not. For $5,000 though, that is just hitting the decent stuff available from over there and that is just shira saya at most. I'd opt for a western-smith style katana with the works.

You should encourage your loaded buddy to invest at least a little research to truly enjoy what he has purchased.
 
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