New to Japanese swords....Educate me please

[hig789]

I have always been intrigued by the art of making Japanese swords. Now I am looking to purchase myself one but I am so confused on all the different types of swords and mounts and please excuse my ignorance in not knowing the proper names for the parts. I am looking for a quality hand made blade. Not sure if all of them have the clay tempering
marks on them but I would like them on there. I would like to stay around 24" in length. I think this would be a Wakazashi but please correct me if I am wrong, I am here to learn. I have been looking at blades in Shirasaya but I would really just like to display only the blade with no handle or sheath. Can you purchase just the blade? Later on down the road I would either like to try to make my own parts of buy ones to suit my own tastes. What steel would be the best? I would like to have folded steel just because of the skill that is involved. Any site references you could give me or places to buy would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rich S]

You can do all the above, but FIRST study, read and look at lots of real Nihonto before you buy. My site below may be of help. Check out the various links pages to find almost any type of real Japanese sword you can think of.

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
-------------------------------------------------------