WW II Swords on e-bay

[Karaken]

I happened to stop by at e-bay today to shop for a golf driver named Katana. To my surprise the site ia loaded with Japanese swords from China. Now, some look down right fake but some looks authentic enough at least from the pictures. Can some experts identify them and gave me a definite answer?

Center

[Foreigner]

I can't give you a definite answer....but perhaps someone in China at one time on the receiving end of one of those katana might be able to. If those katana were authentic I would not want one because many katana were used to commit atrocities in China....It would be better to have one made for yourself. Expensive perhaps.....but at least clean.

["Rojindo"]

The swords you saw in ebay were (most likely) made by Hanwei Swords, Run by a person named Paul Chen. Seems like Paul is the real bladesmith, perhaps Hanwei hired him to help out the line... or maybe he started the company.

Over the years Hanwei has gone from a fairly basic selection of poor to "OK" swords... to a rather impressive collection of swords copied from around the world. Especially lately. Epee? they have it... Claymore? they have it... Tai-chi sword?they got truckloads... Katana? what kind? they have Tachi, wakazashi, Long tsuka, short tsuka, long blades short blades... some models come in more than one size (I think).

In fact in the last few years the quality has improved quite a bit.

NO... these are not made by fellows that bath in cold water and wear Shinto robes to pound the metal, it's a big factory in a town that is famous for it rail yards (where do you think the metal comes from?). Still the higher priced models are really not too bad at all, considering they are designed to be inexpensive.

I have a great big one from Hanwei (Paul Chen), based on the old battlefield swords, the tsuka is about 15 inches... and it is REALLY heavy. I wanted something to do Tameshigiri... and boy, is it hard and sharp. Like swinging an iron bar around.

Anyways, check out the swords in a store before you buy... in the US one can find Paul Chen Hanwei swords at Malls and Knive stores, so I imagine you can see for yourself.

Hope this helps.:)

[Old Warrior]

I believe you can find the Hanwei stuff here: http://www.mantisswords.com/stands.htme

[dorkusxmaximus]

i recommend www.bugei.com

["Rojindo"]

Thats where the large sword I was telling you about came from.

I saw that huge Tsuka and nearly lost my mind! You can see it on the site.

It's the SHOBO ZUKURI! <goooong> (fourth one down)
http://bugei.com/subcategory_6.htm

Sadly, the truth is it's also just plain too heavy. I've set it on a nice stand with my dad's old Gunto he left me to remind myself not to buy swords online any more. Live and learn.

Now I want try out one of the "Practical Katana Plus" models. Which should suit my slender needs well.

---

BTW, this thread was supposed to be about WWII Katana [Gunto] and I do know that one should only buy such swords with a good deal of careful research. Most of which is available in one easy-to-find book called "The Samurai Sword: a handbook (by John M. Yumoto)".

It offers a careful and very realistic look at the art of rare Japanese sword collecting. Basicly, that (as you may know) for the most part, real Samurai Swords are almost nonexistant... most dumped into the sea by MacArthur after WWII. :dead:

So people tend to sell the more modern swords that are around for a great deal... often too much... as the best are in vaults and private collections.

Gunto are usually a lower grade of sword (mostly made for the army with big stamping machines), though there are acceptions. That book can help you spot the junky ones... though it's not hard after you've seen a few up close.

Expect to pay no more than $1000-$2000 for a luitenants grade, don't even bother with the non-com variety (often just crap)... you'll pay more if it's a family blade in army style ornamentation.

Study up! :rambo:

[Karaken]

Thats where the large sword I was telling you about came from.

I saw that huge Tsuka and nearly lost my mind! You can see it on the site.

It's the SHOBO ZUKURI! <goooong> (fourth one down)
http://bugei.com/subcategory_6.htm

Sadly, the truth is it's also just plain too heavy. I've set it on a nice stand with my dad's old Gunto he left me to remind myself not to buy swords online any more. Live and learn.

Now I want try out one of the "Practical Katana Plus" models. Which should suit my slender needs well.

---

BTW, this thread was supposed to be about WWII Katana [Gunto] and I do know that one should only buy such swords with a good deal of careful research. Most of which is available in one easy-to-find book called "The Samurai Sword: a handbook (by John M. Yumoto)".

It offers a careful and very realistic look at the art of rare Japanese sword collecting. Basicly, that (as you may know) for the most part, real Samurai Swords are almost nonexistant... most dumped into the sea by MacArthur after WWII. :dead:

So people tend to sell the more modern swords that are around for a great deal... often too much... as the best are in vaults and private collections.

Gunto are usually a lower grade of sword (mostly made for the army with big stamping machines), though there are acceptions. That book can help you spot the junky ones... though it's not hard after you've seen a few up close.

Expect to pay no more than $1000-$2000 for a luitenants grade, don't even bother with the non-com variety (often just crap)... you'll pay more if it's a family blade in army style ornamentation.

Study up! :rambo:

I've seen a quite a few (nice) nihonto up close at Sotheby's. My original question was for Japanese swords on e-bay because they just don't look like real things.

As someone mentioned before, they might've been manufactured and aged to fool people.

Center

["Rojindo"]

Ah... well.

Ebay is buying still online.

Once again, I humbly repeat that I now have a sword I can barely use largely because it was baught online... and mainly because I couldn't "feel" the heft it. Even though this is a broad example of stupidity, caution is always advisable with the 'ol web.

Still, a smart fellow like yourself would easilly spot a fake Gunto... on line OR up close.

Pardon my remarks.

:square: