authentic samurai swords?

Question

what do i look for to know if i have a real sam. sword. i cant really find any guidlines to follow to say if it is fake or not. if there is any good websites please let me know! thank you... the blade is a fighter plus about 30 inches with an ivory handle and a red cover

Answer 1

trust me, any authentic samurai swords will run you at a minimum, thousands of dollars,

The samurai swords were made by folding the steel on top of itself, this was the secret to their strength. some of the best ones were folded thousands of times.

Any sword you come across may be high quality, but it's definately a reproduction made in a factory.

A university might be able to do a metalergical anaylsis if you really think it's genuine.

Answer 2

It depends on what you define as "authentic". There are swords that are in current production using traditional methods or more modern methods using high quality carbon steel. Some are made Japan and some are made here. they are reportedly can be used for combat. Are these "authentic"? There are also Japanese officer's swords issued during WWII. They are not made the same as traditional swords but they are considered "samurai swords" Lastly, there are the swords made up to the end of the Tokugawa shogunate (Circa 1860) These are swords made for samurai but near the end of the Tokugawa shogunate the swords became more ornamental since there were no wars for the last 200 years of the Shogunate.(Are these more authentic than the above?)
If you are looking for something functional regardless of age, manufacture or origin. Basically, a samurai sword is a 3 pound razor blade. It can cut a man's head or arm off in one stroke in the hands of an expert. Samurai swords are prized as swords because they have two contrary methalurgical properties. They must be harden carbon steel to be sharpen to a razor edge and it must be harden to hold that edge. Soft metal like cheap kitchen knives do not stay sharp. A major problem in battle. But as metal get harder, it also gets brittle and will break. Another major issue in battle. The Japanese solved this problem with folding the blade and make composite swords. The edge is harden but the inner spine is softer to prevent breaking. Some swords had up to five different pieces. So a "real" sword would sharp as a razor with the ability to hold its sharpness and will not break on striking another sword or armour. Good luck

Answer 3

Folded steel blades are apparent when the oil sheen on the blade appears wavy and multicolored. Anything else would indicate that it is NOT a folded steel blade; which is most likely since the process for even such a modern-day blade would cost you thousands. The tang should extend throughout the entire handle. If you cannot remove the handle to examine this, it is most likely a mass-manufactured blade; even if it has the oil sheen of a folded blade.

Bottom line, a "real" katana belonging to the Samaurai Warrior class of feudal Japan would cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Such are rarely allowed outside of the family unless they were taken in WWII by American soldiers.

I knew a student with a 300 year old blade. Everything about it was traditional (handle was silk wrapped in that traditional style) and yet it was simple and unadorned; indicating that the owner had not been of high rank. Within its scabbard only someone with experience could recognize it for what it was. Once it was out of the scabbard, anyone would see the true quality that was captured in that blade.

So-called "ivory" handles are more likely a plastic resin. I would say what you have is a mass-produced replica of the classic katana that you can buy almost everywhere for under $50.

Answer 4

Where did you get it from?

Trust me many people claim they have authentic samurai swords but they actually don't.

Chance of owning a authentic samurai sword that was once owned by samurai is almost like as winning a lottery. Especially if you live outside of Japan. It's like pulling a tooth to try take samurai sword out of Japan.

Answer 5

It would cost you thousands of dollars. Also, you must make sure and compare it to some other swords you think are genuine as well. Best thing is to take it to university to get some testing done, but dont be fooled by some websites bro.

It's alla bout watching and making sure everythings for reals. Also, when you get the sword make sure the people you are testing it with aren't the people you bought it from.

Answer 6

All real Samurai Swords are now in Museums so stop now. You may buy an sword that is Samurai Style sword, but it is an era long since gone.

lr

Answer 7

There are people who can authenticate this for you, just like they do with paintings, do an Internet search, might cost you a lot though so be prepared for that

Answer 8

real swords are not allowed to leave japan. And there are some great answers already posted.

Answer 9

This may help:
http://www.japaneseswords4samurai.com/authentic-samurai-swords.htm
http://www.articlebar.com/Article/439.html
http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/shop/shop.php