O Wakisashi

[Franco]

Hi,
This was another of the swords he had for sale.He said the lamination of the steel
was coming apart.

[Franco]

Another

[Beater]

When we say acid polish we mean the blade is polished on an emery band that is why it is so shiny like it's been plated and the hada cannot be seen
It is then rubbed with nitric acid diluted with methylated spirits to bring out the hamon
The pits on the nakago are from where it was cut down and old rust removed I guess
I am quite sure I know who did the work which on showato can give good results mimicking the original ww2 finish

Hi Nick,

Almost certainly the hallmarks of a gent from the Wirrall.
I may risk ridicule from the purists if I say this, but I've always thought his polishing fits a niche in the market and is a "horses for course" sort of affair. Having seen some really nackered looking swords, red rusty, chipped and bent, which he makes very presentable and for not a lot of money, I think he saves more than he destroys.
Your final sentence seems to support my thoughts - is that how you see it?

[nickn]

Yes I often get showato polished by John no skin steel so no damage can occur
And in the past badly damaged gendiato on which his polish is a great foundation for a "proper" polish
just had an emura done badly chipped and bent now in nice shape and having a traditional polish if I had given it to the polisher in the state it was in he would have refused to do it due to wearing out his expensive stones

[Franco]

Post script.He is not going to offer the sword for sale after examining the points that
I spoke to him about.