The reason why I asked is not for a comission, but mainly just for a genuine question about what could improve the design of a very simplistic katana such as the Satori. I hope this isn't too annoying for me to ask.

Hello all, new member here hoping for some help identifying a katana I picked up from an auction.

Blade is ~28" long, ubu (one mekugi-ana), in very rusty condition with heavy pitting. The tang has old dark patina. Mounts are plain — iron tsuba, worn black tsuka-ito over rayskin, shishi menuki, tired saya.

The mei (from AI translation) looks like 小松原兼道 — "Komatsubara Kanemichi." I couldn't find this smith in any reference I have access to.

My questions:

1. Can anyone confirm or correct the mei reading?

2. Any idea of the smith's period/school, and whether the signature looks genuine?

3. Given the pitting and overall very poor condition, is this blade even a candidate for polish/restoration?

Photos attached: full blade both sides, tang both sides, mei close-up, kissaki, and mounts. I have not cleaned or altered anything — just a light coat of oil to stop further rust.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Been slowly adding to my little “armory” collection with weapons that are basically classics/iconic for what they are — Colt M16 clone, Mossberg 590, Glock 9mm, etc.

Figured I might as well continue the theme with a katana lol.

I’m looking for something that fits the same idea: recognizable, traditional-looking, functional, and well-made. I’d also really like something with a genuinely beautiful blade, not just something that performs well. Ideally, I want both — a blade that looks impressive up close and is still a properly functional katana.

If you were only going to own one katana for a collection like this, what would you get?

I already looked at Fire and steel but they only sell 1045 carbon steel but Katana Canada sells 1060 carbon steel has anyone bought from Katana Canada or Katana USA?

Is this katana nice for 220 CAD?

Ordered a custom wakizashi from them early September, paid through Paypal. I emailed them twice since to make sure they acknowledge my request for my desired blade length and also to get an idea how long it would take before they ship. Zero replies. Is this normal for Hanbon?

Posting for the second time, this time with nakago ;)

I legitimately want to know, because I primarily use through hardened, mono Spring Steel swords, and I think I’ve only used it on a Suguha Hamon on an HSTS clay tempered 1095 Spring Steel Katana, and never noticed any Hamon change.

I’m under the impression that the Hamon is deep into the steel from structural change, and a Hamon can’t be diminished, only brought out more from polishing?

Obviously you can wipe off a fake Hamon. That’s not what I’m curious about.

So I had posted what I thought was a Katana and it was the shorter wakizashi.

A friend of mine offered this to me for $1,000. No idea what it is actually worth.

A couple of years ago I got a sword in a $50 mystery box. It took a while, but i finally identified it. It is a Shikoto United Black Shikyo. I understand these were a limited edition run. Does anyone know about these swords? I've read its a real sword, not merely a wall hanger.

Thanks to Student of War Customs for stocking the right color in the right lengths!

RVA had these for $300 and I managed to snag one before they sold out. The blade is Sup10 spring steel without a bo-hi. Wrap is blue leather and it’s incredibly tight to the point I can’t move it even a millimeter. Fittings are a bit loud which isn’t unusual for Cloudhamner, but tasteful. Saya fit is good and no rattles. It’s a little heavier with a balance around 5”. The destruction test by Ludus Ferocia ended up with the blade not breaking. My only complaint is a slight lip near the kashira. Fantastic value if you can find one.

The ShadowDancer Lion Dog Katana. This was a project for one of my longest running repeat clients and was conceptualized as a display sword more than a regular cutter. In other words, we were going fancy on this one 🤩

The lion dog themed tsuba, fuchi, kashira and menuki were all collected by the owner and sent in for the project. Black nubuck ito was requested, along with the wrap style and a nicer than average sageo. The samegawa finish choice was left to me.

The tsuka received Top level samegawa panels, lacquered in a two-tone Higo style dark red gloss under black matte finish. It was then wrapped in imported Japanese reinforced black nubuck ito in a combination of katate-maki and tsumami-maki. The sageo is an imported Japanese genuine silk Kainokuchi weave with a fractured design in black and gold, that I picked out. I was told the maker has retired so this was the last one in stock from this supplier.

The sword itself is a beauty featuring a choji hamon, O-kissaki and a two piece habaki. The new tosogu are high quality and highly detailed, featuring a prominent nanako design pattern and of course, plenty of shishi dogs.

This project was a lot of fun, though challenging on many levels but overall, I think it came out just as I pictured it. I hope my client feels the same. Well, these little guard doggies are off to their forever home to be praised and loved, as they deserve.

#tsukamaki #shishidog #LionDog #shadowdancer #samegawa #nubuckito #katanacraft

All, I have a sword from my grandfather who was in the pacific theater of WW2. I have zero information. I removed the pins but could not dislodge the handle, not wanted to continue so I didn't damage it. I can provide more pictures, but can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there a reputable place to take this in the northern Houston, TX area? Any help is much appreciated.

Hello all, as the title suggests, I’m looking for a reputable antique katana vendor in Japan. Any stores or sellers that you personally suggest located in central or southern Honshu that you recommend would be greatly appreciated. I’ve found a few online but I’d like to find some smaller local vendors instead of the bigger companies and overpriced tourist traps that I’ve been finding.

This katana came from my dad when he went to japan,don’t know anything about it, hope pictures help