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Post by Matt KOA on Nov 8, 2018 3:34:26 GMT
A friend of mine would really like to get a Nihonto - but he has a budget of 1K - 1.5K. I know that they are substantially more expensive than that, but thought I would ask around and see if finding such a thing in his budget is even possible?
I know a lot of you have looked at many of these swords on the internet over the years. Has anyone even seen any antique (Edo period or older) swords around in that price range? He isn't too picky on the style and overall condition and might consider Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, etc style blades as well.
I just thought I'd ask if such a thing was even possible, before sinking a lot of time into chasing something that doesn't exist. I have my doubts but I certainly don't know everything, especially in regards to the market for Nihonto - so thought it best to ask the forum for any insights while I am browsing around on his behalf.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Nov 8, 2018 4:39:58 GMT
cheaper end nihontos for full sized katanas ive seen are like $3000-$4000, he might be able to find a tanto or something smaller online tho, also if he does not mind guntos ive seen some good guntos go for $1000
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 8, 2018 15:58:36 GMT
For a full-length katana (24+ inch nagasa) it'll be tricky, at best, to find one in decent polish with no flaws and furniture/koshirae. Not impossible, just difficult and likely a game of patience and perseverance.
You're also likely looking at gunto in that range. Mind you, some gunto are actually legitimate familial blades converted for service, but any in this range are likely in bad shape. If your friend just wants to have an antique katana and isn't concerned with how pretty it is, they should be able to find a few options. If they want to study hada etc, well...they might wanna stick to wakizashi. Those can be had for much less than katana or even tanto.
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Post by csills2313 on Nov 8, 2018 19:11:37 GMT
I was browsing around this morning and saw this nihonto for sale.
Not sure if it is exactly what you are looking for.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Nov 10, 2018 14:24:12 GMT
These are the items he sells. I am only an amateur and I would have no idea how to spot a nihonto from a fake, but from all I have read on the forums, one don't find genuine nihonto starting from 150$ US. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. Pretty blades though.
o7
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Post by csills2313 on Nov 10, 2018 15:35:28 GMT
I have been tempted to buy from this seller myself. Not sure if they are overpriced or not. I have heard from other buyers that he is on the up and up.
Has anyone else bought from this seller?
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 10, 2018 16:09:32 GMT
What I've been looking at of their stuff looks legit to me. It helps that the seller is based in Japan as there are restrictions to what swords can be owned bought, or sold, and that's basically only authentic nihonto.
Bidding starting so low is odd, but bear in mind a lot of items on eBay start under $100 only to sell in the thousands as people bid, so sometimes things get posted low for attention in the early days.
Or maybe the swords are authentic only in the sense that they were made in Japan, in the Japanese fashion, but are possibly gimei or maybe have some flaws. Though most seem to advertise NBTHK attribution.
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Post by 0331usmc on Nov 10, 2018 21:11:01 GMT
I have bought from this seller, he is legit. However, i would recommend looking for one of his swords with papers. Also, be patient. Most of his auctions go for way more than they should. Also, I have heard that a lot of the fittings are loose due them not being made for the sword.
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Post by astyanaz on Nov 11, 2018 2:11:13 GMT
The beginning price is just the start. It can go far up from there. If they are NBTHK attested they are the real thing. I have done a huge amount of studying the katanas for sale on eBay, and you can find a real one starting around $1000. They won't be NBTHK and they may not have the makers name or other problems, but consider this. It is highly illegal to import a Katana into Japan, so if the sword is handmade and being sold from Japan it will very likely be the real thing, even if a cheap real thing.
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Post by Matt KOA on Nov 14, 2018 7:42:47 GMT
Thank you all so far for the replies - very helpful! We are getting some leads now so it looks like it will work out with some persistence.
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Post by rayeknor on Dec 3, 2018 4:13:06 GMT
I have a unpapered shinshinto nihonto in shirasaya I got for not much over $2000 over at NMB, I STRONGLY suggest only using ebay if you really know the seller very well. Especially if you are not an expert I would only buy from a highly reputable source. Unless you are Bill Gates.. then have fun
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Post by nbhraizo on Dec 8, 2018 3:09:00 GMT
Has anyone purchased a papered katana/wakizashi from the Japan based eBay seller daimyou54eb?
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Post by vermithrax on Dec 11, 2018 1:22:48 GMT
It would be tough at that price range to get a genuine nihonto. Stay away from eBay, I really can't make that point more clearly until you know what you are looking at, which takes years really to be honest. I would suggest looking in the FOR SALE section at NMB (Nihonto Message Board). If your friend could get his budget up to say 2k-2.5k it's very possible to get an NBTHK papered waki or tanto. Danny at NihontoCraft (he is reputable and very trusted and I have dealt with him) has this IMO excellent tanto from the Koto Tenbun era that is well worth a look. And it's been priced reduced: www.nihontocraft.com/Uda_Tomotsugu_Tanto.html
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Post by starkiller on Dec 11, 2018 14:44:07 GMT
It would be tough at that price range to get a genuine nihonto. Stay away from eBay, I really can't make that point more clearly until you know what you are looking at, which takes years really to be honest. I would suggest looking in the FOR SALE section at NMB (Nihonto Message Board). If your friend could get his budget up to say 2k-2.5k it's very possible to get an NBTHK papered waki or tanto. Danny at NihontoCraft (he is reputable and very trusted and I have dealt with him) has this IMO excellent tanto from the Koto Tenbun era that is well worth a look. And it's been priced reduced: www.nihontocraft.com/Uda_Tomotsugu_Tanto.htmli is possible to get one around 1.5k.. you just need patience.. i have a few nihontos in my collection that im willing to let go for that price.. just let me know everyone.
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Post by Verity on Dec 11, 2018 14:51:21 GMT
Depends on what we are talking about. Nihonto for 1-1.5k? Easy. Katana in decent polish in mounts for that? More difficult. But a tanto or wakizashi in decent polish in shirasaya should be pretty easy to get for that. Katana can also be had but it's trickier to find a good one at that price but not impossible. Asking around on NMB is a good way to go. eBay is a treacherous place if you don't know what you are doing. Be careful there. starkiller: what have you got?
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Post by starkiller on Dec 11, 2018 14:58:20 GMT
Depends on what we are talking about. Nihonto for 1-1.5k? Easy. Katana in decent polish in mounts for that? More difficult. But a tanto or wakizashi in decent polish in shirasaya should be pretty easy to get for that. Katana can also be had but it's trickier to find a good one at that price but not impossible. Asking around on NMB is a good way to go. eBay is a treacherous place if you don't know what you are doing. Be careful there. starkiller : what have you got? pm you
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Post by vermithrax on Dec 13, 2018 1:20:10 GMT
Depends on what we are talking about. Nihonto for 1-1.5k? Easy. Katana in decent polish in mounts for that? More difficult. But a tanto or wakizashi in decent polish in shirasaya should be pretty easy to get for that. Katana can also be had but it's trickier to find a good one at that price but not impossible. Asking around on NMB is a good way to go. eBay is a treacherous place if you don't know what you are doing. Be careful there. starkiller : what have you got? As Verity understands, I have a LOT of patience I guess a correct re-phrase would be a nihonto katana worth the time and investment cannot be had for 1.5k, but that's open to one's definition of "worth it".
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Post by Verity on Dec 13, 2018 1:53:23 GMT
Depends on what we are talking about. Nihonto for 1-1.5k? Easy. Katana in decent polish in mounts for that? More difficult. But a tanto or wakizashi in decent polish in shirasaya should be pretty easy to get for that. Katana can also be had but it's trickier to find a good one at that price but not impossible. Asking around on NMB is a good way to go. eBay is a treacherous place if you don't know what you are doing. Be careful there. starkiller : what have you got? As Verity understands, I have a LOT of patience :) I guess a correct re-phrase would be a nihonto katana worth the time and investment cannot be had for 1.5k, but that's open to one's definition of "worth it". lol. Fair
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2018 2:22:52 GMT
Assuming the site is up to date, I could point you at an honest-to-god wakizashi nihonto in shirasaya for less than $1,000 right now. More money gives more options, but it's not impossible.
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Post by vermithrax on Dec 14, 2018 3:20:43 GMT
Assuming the site is up to date, I could point you at an honest-to-god wakizashi nihonto in shirasaya for less than $1,000 right now. More money gives more options, but it's not impossible. I think we are all talking about different things. I have zero doubt Jon Frances you can, certainly it can be done.
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