I took a gamble on a Tanto

blue lander · 1st August 2015, 06:01 PM

Normally I avoid Nihonto because they're expensive and it seems like it takes quite a bit of expertise if you want to buy one with any confidence that it's legit. But this one was so cheap I decided to take a gamble. It appears to be in a shirasaya, which I understand is a plain sheath for long term storage of the blade.

The item will be here in a few days and I imagine it'll be apparent quickly if it's the real deal or not, but these are the pics from the auction. What do you think? Real tanto or Chinese letter opener? The only reason I think it might be "real" is that there wouldn't be any point in putting a factory made blade in a shirasaya, and if it was made for tourists you'd expect it to be in a nicer mounting.

Battara · 1st August 2015, 06:21 PM

Makes me wonder if it isn't a WWII officer's tanto.....The polish looks a little off to me. Better pictures are needed......

Ferguson · 2nd August 2015, 12:45 AM

I know little of Nihonto, but I know blades. Looks like the blade was polished on a buffer, and the "hamon" looks sand blasted, or etched. Hope I'm wrong.
Steve

blue lander · 2nd August 2015, 12:56 AM

Apparently that's not a hamon, it's a hadori. It's a pattern polished into the blade to "enhance" the actual hamon (assuming there is one)
http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/togi.html#HADORI

stekemest · 2nd August 2015, 12:20 PM

Unfortunately not a real nihonto. You can tell, among other things, by the shape of kissaki.

sirupate · 2nd August 2015, 01:20 PM

I'm with Ferguson on this one

harrywagner · 7th August 2015, 07:25 PM

I would call that a good buy, even if it is not very old. I love a "plain" Japanese tanto. I bought one a few years ago that has a Damascus steel blade and a white oak handle and sheath. It is very similar to yours except it does not have the flat "sides". I am certain that mine was made recently. It remains one of my favorites. Yours does look older. I hope it is what you are looking for and that you get to enjoy it as much as I have mine.

Best regards,
Harry

Battara · 8th August 2015, 01:44 AM

That's why I said that at best it may be WWII and over polished at best. At worst it is a recent repo........

blue lander · 9th August 2015, 06:09 PM

The thing hasn't arrived yet, I'll be sure to report if there are any surprises

stekemest · 9th August 2015, 07:32 PM

I don't think it's WW2. I may be wrong, but it looks quite modern to me. Sorry.

1st August 2015, 06:01 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I took a gamble on a Tanto Normally I avoid Nihonto because they're expensive and it seems like it takes quite a bit of expertise if you want to buy one with any confidence that it's legit. But this one was so cheap I decided to take a gamble. It appears to be in a shirasaya, which I understand is a plain sheath for long term storage of the blade. The item will be here in a few days and I imagine it'll be apparent quickly if it's the real deal or not, but these are the pics from the auction. What do you think? Real tanto or Chinese letter opener? The only reason I think it might be "real" is that there wouldn't be any point in putting a factory made blade in a shirasaya, and if it was made for tourists you'd expect it to be in a nicer mounting. Attached Images

2nd August 2015, 01:20 PM	#6
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	I'm with Ferguson on this one Attached Images

7th August 2015, 07:25 PM	#7
harrywagner Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 373	Good buy I would call that a good buy, even if it is not very old. I love a "plain" Japanese tanto. I bought one a few years ago that has a Damascus steel blade and a white oak handle and sheath. It is very similar to yours except it does not have the flat "sides". I am certain that mine was made recently. It remains one of my favorites. Yours does look older. I hope it is what you are looking for and that you get to enjoy it as much as I have mine. Best regards, Harry

1st August 2015, 06:21 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Makes me wonder if it isn't a WWII officer's tanto.....The polish looks a little off to me. Better pictures are needed......

2nd August 2015, 12:45 AM	#3
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I know little of Nihonto, but I know blades. Looks like the blade was polished on a buffer, and the "hamon" looks sand blasted, or etched. Hope I'm wrong. Steve

2nd August 2015, 12:56 AM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Apparently that's not a hamon, it's a hadori. It's a pattern polished into the blade to "enhance" the actual hamon (assuming there is one) http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/togi.html#HADORI

2nd August 2015, 12:20 PM	#5
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Unfortunately not a real nihonto. You can tell, among other things, by the shape of kissaki.

8th August 2015, 01:44 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	That's why I said that at best it may be WWII and over polished at best. At worst it is a recent repo........

9th August 2015, 06:09 PM	#9
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	The thing hasn't arrived yet, I'll be sure to report if there are any surprises

9th August 2015, 07:32 PM	#10
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	I don't think it's WW2. I may be wrong, but it looks quite modern to me. Sorry.