O Wakisashi

[Franco]

Hi,
Im looking for opinions on this unsigned blade.
Cheers

[Franco]

Another

[Bob Coleman]

Although the blade is unsigned, showing everything including the nakago is important for a possible opinion. Understand that it is almost impossible to identify a smith and even a school accurately when the blade is unsigned. We can at least give a guess at age. Please show the nakago and an overall picture of the blade's shape.

[nickn]

I can tell you it has had an acid polish

[Franco]

Nakago

[Bob Coleman]

The blade appears to be mid to late 17th c. It is definitely not older than that,

[nickn]

Looks like a cut down katana

[Franco]

Hi,
Nothing unusual about the replies so far.I was of a similar opinion.I bought the sword online.When it arrived and I was able to examine it,I could see that it was
a fake.All of the blade up to the nakago is plated.I thought it was strange that the
nakago had small pits,to age it,I had never seen this before.The plating ended
under the habaki and it could clearly be seen.Im glad I bought it and was able to examine
it,otherwise I would never have believed it.Needless to say I was on the phone and
within two hours it was back on its way to the seller and on Monday I got my money back.Beware the new generation of fakes.

[Bob Coleman]

Hi,
Nothing unusual about the replies so far.I was of a similar opinion.I bought the sword online.When it arrived and I was able to examine it,I could see that it was
a fake.All of the blade up to the nakago is plated.I thought it was strange that the
nakago had small pits,to age it,I had never seen this before.The plating ended
under the habaki and it could clearly be seen.Im glad I bought it and was able to examine
it,otherwise I would never have believed it.Needless to say I was on the phone and
within two hours it was back on its way to the seller and on Monday I got my money back.Beware the new generation of fakes.

I don't think it was a fake. I believe you were looking at the acid polish as Nick said. The hamon appeared to be a genuine water tempered hamon and the nakago was well shaped with a natural patina. You are still well off having retuned it.

[nickn]

I agree with bob the blade is genuine not plated you are looking at an acid polish
The nakago looks cut down to me

[nickn]

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

[Franco]

Hi,
I disagree because I could see areas where the platting was lifting.I have pics of
another blade from the same source where you can see exactly what I mean.

[Franco]

The pics are on another computer and I will post them shortly.

[GHP]

Hi,
I disagree because I could see areas where the platting was lifting.I have pics of
another blade from the same source where you can see exactly what I mean.

I obviously don't know much ..... but if it were chrome plated, wouldn't the hamon be covered and unobservable?

--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

I obviously don't know much ..... but if it were chrome plated, wouldn't the hamon be covered and unobservable?

--Guy

Good point Guy. You can also see the nioi on the hamon. Plating a blade would destroy the hamon, not enhance it. If you want to believe it is plated, that is fine. Nick and I are basing our opinions based on many years of studying and collecting.