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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 0:18:12 GMT
Dear experts and seniors with Nihonto, how are you? I'm new in the hobby and hope to make my first purchase for a Japanese Tachi. Not just any Tachi, but one that is made by 1095 Steel or T10 Steel. I have my eyes upon two sellers, one is Swords of Northshire, the other is an eBay seller by the name of Chinatown-Antiquer. I do however have some questions before I buy, hope you kind sirs (and/or madams) can give me some pointers as whether to proceed. First regarding Swords of Northshire, I am hoping to buy the following Tachi: www.swordsofnorthshire.com/clay-tempered-1095-high-carbon-steel-high-quality-japanese-samurai-tachi-swordBut by looking at the specs I can see something is amiss. The measurements of this said Tachi is exactly the same as all their listed Katanas. I am new but even I know the specs of a Katana and a Tachi is drastically different. I have sent an email to Bryce of Swords of Northshire regarding the issue, will update here when he gets back to me. The other seller is Chinatown-Antiquer from eBay. This seller has 2925 positive feedback and only 1 negative, so I'm really optimistic. The Tachi I want from this seller is here: www.ebay.com/itm/Toyotomi-Hideyoshi-STL-Tachi-Samurai-Sword-T10-Steel-Blade-w-Clay-Tempered-491/283274020977?hash=item41f4728871:g:QSsAAOSw0xtb9-4RI had been studying Chinese for the last decade so I have already written back and fourth with the seller and he gives me extremely prompt and detailed answers in regards to specs. My only concern is I cannot find any reviews of the said seller and their Japanese Katana/Tachi, so I am not 100% sure if I can trust the listed specs they provide can be trusted? Can someone here please let me know if I should proceed, or if you have better suggestions as where I can buy a nice 1095/T10 Steel Tachi? Much obliged and a huge thank you in advance!
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Post by alientude on Feb 20, 2021 0:57:03 GMT
I have, and can recommend, the Yomikuni Warrior Tachi. Please note that I am in no way an expert on Japanese swords.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 1:07:03 GMT
I have, and can recommend, the Yomikuni Warrior Tachi. Please note that I am in no way an expert on Japanese swords. Thank you for the suggestion! If I were to buy from this seller I think I'm more inclined to go for the Hotaru Tachi: yomikuni.com/store/ols/products/hotarutachiAnyone else have experience with this seller? Theirs look good too. Still hoping for a Daimyo level Tachi though like the ones I had my eyes on.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 6:48:34 GMT
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Feb 20, 2021 13:27:17 GMT
That looks like an interesting site but they leave a question in my mind. I’ve no experience with them nor know your location, I assume outside of China. Many of our members have reported difficulty in returning a sword to China for whatever reason they decided to return. It appears that China is more than willing to ship a sword for a monetary exchange but once outside of their borders are most reluctant to allow it back in. That is only FYI and not endorsing nor a warning just relaying what some of your members have found. Out of curiosity would you give me the URL of their Tachi(s). I did a search and failed to find any using 大溪, 立志, Dà xī, and Lìzhì. My Chinese is not that good. I did find countless katanas though. I do question their prices and quality but they use terms I'm not familiar with. I did find some ss blades.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 16:52:42 GMT
Hello pgandy, I'm from Canada, and thank you for the lights up on returning a sword. I'd imagine it won't be easy asking for a refund or exchange dealing with them. Not a problem, here's the link to their Tachi (太刀). If you look to the right under 武士刀 (Bushi/Samurai Swords) you will find 太刀 (Tachi): www.ljg8.com/category-287-1.htmlI'm interested in the top two: 丰臣氏太刀-甲伏锻版 (Toyotomi Tachi - Koubuse Version) LJG-1398 and 丰臣氏太刀 (Toyotomi Tachi) LJF-1392. The price is a little steep, I was hoping more costly = higher quality but others have pointed out that's not the case with Chinese sellers. Cheers!
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Post by soulfromheart on Feb 20, 2021 17:00:26 GMT
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 17:13:40 GMT
Thank you! Can you please tell me if you or someone you know have purchased from Hanbon Forge or Shinken-Sword before and what the experiences were? Really need feedback before I commit (will also post here my experience when I do).
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 20, 2021 17:22:18 GMT
Ah what a shame, guess I'll steer away from Shinken then, even though they got the blue Ito Tachi I really liked urrrgh!
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Post by soulfromheart on Feb 20, 2021 17:42:28 GMT
Ah what a shame, guess I'll steer away from Shinken then, even though they got the blue Ito Tachi I really liked urrrgh! Do note that other people ordered from them after me without problems, don't let my jadeness bother you. As I said, I am not objective. xD
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Feb 20, 2021 19:50:45 GMT
The price is a little steep, I was hoping more costly = higher quality but others have pointed out that's not the case with Chinese sellers. Cheers! Not by a long shot and not only true with China. A personal story. I was working the gun shows and picked up a batch of cheap sheath knives for resale. I put what I thought a fair price on them. Several shows later I hadn’t sold the first one so I lowered the price. This went on for several shows with me lowering the price several times. I finally said WTF and upped the price, really upped it to some ridicules amount and sold them all. Crazy people.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 21, 2021 19:02:35 GMT
soulfromheart - Can you slightly tell me what went down with them? Was thinking I might consider them because the blue Tachi I want only they and another store seem to make. Thank you!
pgandy - LOL that's great haha I see your point though!
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 21, 2021 21:35:29 GMT
Anyone know when the Chinese New Year holiday ends in China? I emailed and Facebook DM'ed a few sellers two days ago, but none has yet get back to me. They are however posting sword photos on their Facebook pages though... Anyone know why that is?
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Feb 21, 2021 22:13:52 GMT
Anyone know when the Chinese New Year holiday ends in China? I emailed and Facebook DM'ed a few sellers two days ago, but none has yet get back to me. They are however posting sword photos on their Facebook pages though... Anyone know why that is? I believe 26 February or there about. It changes annually. If they are like most cultures I know it’ll take them a day or to rest up from the holiday before any real work is began.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 21, 2021 22:31:25 GMT
Thank you so much, explains why some of my misc. saved eBay sellers are away til the 26th. I know their New Year started on the 12th but wow they sure take a long time celebrating!
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Post by vidar on Feb 22, 2021 7:41:19 GMT
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 22, 2021 8:15:55 GMT
Thank you so much! Never heard about them before, do they have good rep? Their Tachi look good!
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Post by vidar on Feb 22, 2021 8:35:55 GMT
From what I understand, it’s the same forge as Dynasty Forge. They also make the Japanese swords for Cold Steel. Are they good or not? I think that, like any other Chinese forge, they have both skilled employees and people who have no clue about what they’re doing. The products that should not pass quality control still end up being sold, usually via Amazon and/or anonymous discount stores. The high quality products end up being sold by reputable dealers, like this shop in Holland. So I think this Tachi will probably be fine. They only make them in limited amount (unlike for example CS warrior series) so probably they use their better craftsmen to work on it. Plus the vendor should carefully inspect the item before shipping to the customer. It’s good to watch these video’s: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/32621/demystifying-chinese-quot-katana-productionHere you see exactly what I mean, the same forge can make junk in one workplace and excellent swords in another.
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Post by JubbeiSamuro on Feb 22, 2021 8:45:36 GMT
Thank you Vidar, I'm assuming it is safe to buy from the Holland store? Was doing my research on Huanuo and read that if one buys directly from Haunuo.com they won't ship and kept telling you sword not in stock? Makes me a little nervous...
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Post by vidar on Feb 22, 2021 8:53:08 GMT
Did you read that about Huanuo, or Skyjiro? The latter is known for this kind of practices.
The shop in Holland is fine. The owner is also active on this forum. You can send him an email to ask whether the item is in stock and to give feedback about the quality control he does.
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