Tips for Beginners in Sword Collecting
Antique swords are known to be fascinating to those who are intrigue by it from watching fantasy or action movies and literature. It may have sparked your desire to start your own antique sword collection. Follow these simple guidelines and your own your way to be a real sword enthusiast.
1. Familiarize the sword industry.
As a beginner, you should know the basics of collectible Japanese swords. You can start out by doing some research and introduce yourself to elemental information such as the anatomy of a sword and its parts. When research on swords is done, you will discover famous and not so famous type of antique swords which will help you determine the swords you want to look for. You can even go as far as learning the terminologies by heart.
2. Don’t even think of buying swords online auctions until you know what you are doing.
You will save yourself from learning the expensive lessons. It is quite difficult to distinguish a true value and condition of a sword when you view them online. It may show poor quality photographs, in sufficient descriptions, and make you susceptible to frauds. In the event that you decide to buy an antique sword on an online auction, try to stick to sellers who you’re familiar with or have a good reputation.
3. Get the know where to get information.
You can talk to experts like knowledgeable collectors or attend swords shows BEFORE you purchase any swords. You will get a good idea on the kind of swords and how to know their authenticity. It will save you from committing grave mistakes that could cost you your time and money.
4. Purchase your first piece or pieces of swords from a reputable dealer.
Reputable dealers tend to appreciate repeat customers and reputation to protect thus they won’t street you too far off course. For prices that set too high, don’t be afraid to try and negotiate. You can only pay less and if it’s not possible then there’s always another sword.
5. Do not buy a “fixer upper” as the first sword in your collection.
The thought of purchasing an “undiscovered treasure” is ultra tempting yet could yield high costs of restoration. Chances could be that many pieces out there aren’t simply worth restoring. You may not be knowledgeable (yet) to identify a real collectible sword from a badly damaged sword with hidden flaws.
6. Age is not related to the quality of the sword.
There have been excellent antique swords manufactured during the late Heian period to the present time. There also are great many poor blades produced over the same period.
7. Purchase your initial pieces that are in polish and ideally with papers from any major sword conservation organizations (NTHK o NBTHK).
An already polished Japanese sword can cut back any unnecessary spending. You don’t have to pay for nay restorations and the flaws are plain enough to thus reducing the risk considerably. As a beginning collector, you will have security when having papers from one of the major organizations because it affirms the quality of the piece and the validity of the signature. Not only that, it will make the piece easier to sell in the near future. Every buyer will want to have that same guarantee of quality.
8. Be cautious of buying an unsigned (mumei) piece or piece that has a forged signature or gimei.
You may be surprised to find such excellent swords for super reasonable prices, but they are also difficult to dispose by selling. Don’t think that by paying more, you are not getting a good deal. Rather, you are greatly reducing the risks if you have a sword organization or independent sword experts to verify it. False signatures can be fairly removed without any hassles but it’s often not worth all the trouble. You actually end up paying more total than the piece would be worth.
9. As obvious as it may be, you know how to care for your samurai sword.
Your sword collection may or may not need any cleaning. It would depend on some factors and the need for cleaning. Don’t make any attempts of cleaning and sharpening the swords yourself as it should be left at the hands of experts. Any mishaps imprinted on the sword can lead to irreversible damages which greatly decrease the value and beauty of your sword.
May 05 2009 08:47 am | antique swords