Ariel wrote:
"The Forum has to choose between being an academic resource and a mutual admiration society."
I would respectfully disagree. This forum has been doing quite well for a long time for both newbies and seasoned collectors. Let's just keep it polite and civilized. I too am a scientist and academic with numerous papers under my belt. I've had to defend my results in front of large groups of my peers; sometimes it does get "no holds barred", but it is civilized and polite - I think we are capable of doing that. Cool it and have fun and enjoy what we learn and/or share!
Rich
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Rich S, PhD, FAIC
Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm