Hi Guys,
In hopes of funding a new project, and keeping my wife happy, I'd like to move along a Hanwei Shinto that I restored / upgraded.
According to the nakago engraving, it's serial number 144. Very early Shinto, I would guess. Blade has only a little sori. No Hi. Very nice, clean hamon (not acid enhanced, like the later models). Here's a run-down of what I've done to it.
- Full Same' wrap, seam visible on ura side.
- Rewrapped with a silk (possibly artificial silk, got it from a SOM katana remount). Ito was in great shape because the SOM was so loosely wrapped.
Finished the re-wrap with a whole 1.5 inches of ito left over. Wrap is tight, hishi-gami used.
- Replaced the strange tsuba it had acquired somewhere along with the way with a very nice brass chinese copy of the original Hanwei Shinto tsuba. Even the thickness was good.
- Cleaned up and blackened the copy tsuba.
- Replaced the strange seppa it had with a nice blackened set that fit the fuchi very well. The fuchi on the Shinto is a little smaller than the usual Hanwei koshirae.
- Removed the shitodome from the kashira - didn't like 'em
- Polished up the habaki
- Put on a new, less polyester-y sageo
- Replaced the gaudy goldish dragon menuki with a blackened copper Cheness dragon set.
When I rewrapped the tsuka, I only brought one of the mekui holes out. The sword fits the tsuka perfectly, and it doesn't (IMHO) need the second mekugi. Everything on this sword is nice and tight. Tsuka feels slim in the hand (not like many other Hanwei cutters I've held).
The habaki 'bumps' a bit sliding into the saya for noto - nothing huge, but it's not a japanese iaito, if you get my meaning. Habaki is very beefy, btw. Saya has nice horn koigouchi / kojiri.
There are a few slight marks on the blade (probably normal, given that is a production blade made ~20 years ago...). The saya also has a number of small scuffs. The finish on the saya has held up remarkably well, considering the age of this sword, actually.
I'll have some pics/specs up tomorrow. If you'd like to look at some pics I took when I originally got the sword, head to:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/jblakey/Swords#
Asking price is $300 USD, including shipping to CONUS and most parts of Canada. Comes with a very gaudy red/gold sword bag.
Own a part of history! Why not buy this one, and the anniversary Shinto to make a lovely display for your home?
Thanks,
jason
