Tamahagane swords

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romeostyles

Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
7
Hey guy's, I was in a sword and knife shop in Toronto and there was a katana and wakisashi sword set for about $2000 cdn and the sign on the set said true "japanese tamahagane swords". Now my question is how can you tell the difference between true japanese swords and cheap ones? I would like to aquire a beautiful piece of japanese art for my knife room.

thanks
 
hey guys, I would like to know how you can be sure that a sword was made in japan by a true swordsmith or is a cheap replica? I was in Toronto at a sword and knife shop and the was a katana and wakisashi and it was $2000 cdn and it didn't look like it was handmade it looked like something out of a martial arts magazine for 40 bucks. Where can you purchase a good quality japanese sword? Paul Chen?

thanks
 
There are MANY places to find out loads about Japanese swords, I recommend Sword Forums International, Nihonto, and Bugei for starters.

If you are looking for something that looks beautiful then look for something attractive to you, it's that simple. If you want something functional you will pay more, but paying more doesn't necessarily mean better more functional or more traditional style of manufacture. Japanese sword market is rife with ignorant buyers which means there's lots of overpriced junk. I recommend learning as much as possible and finding out what you like before spending a lot of money on a purchase you regret later.
 
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romeostyles said:
Hey guy's, I was in a sword and knife shop in Toronto and there was a katana and wakisashi sword set for about $2000 cdn and the sign on the set said true "japanese tamahagane swords". Now my question is how can you tell the difference between true japanese swords and cheap ones? I would like to aquire a beautiful piece of japanese art for my knife room.

thanks
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The only way I know is to study. Study books, study photos, study real Japanese swords. Handle them. Know their blade geometry, how they balance, how they are constructed, what they are made of and how it all goes together. There's no substitute for experience. No one on any board anywhere is going to be able to tell you "just look for this and then you will know." I wish there was a magic shortcut I could tell you about but there's not. :(

As for a 2000 dollar Japanese sword? I seriously doubt it. True Japanese swords are built is very small numbers and the going price is FAR above 2000 dollars. I'm guessing you saw yet more of the ubiquitous chitana (albeit fairly high priced ones) that are all over the market.
 
Tamahagane is not made outside of Japan (correctly)...

If they are that cheap, they are 98 percentably fakes....

If they are real, sell me one for 10,000...

I would be getting a steal, and you would almost triple your money..

A low end, Japanese made, Shinken or Nihonto sells for at least 15.... if you are really lucky...!
 
a low end shinken sells for 15 in japan, 15 hundred that is. You can get them in 'martial arts' fittings in the US for 3500 pretty easily, and there are many antiques that are only worth a few hundred dollars.
 
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