Sword 1
Length Overall: 42.25 inches
Length Blade: 30.5 inches
Weight: probably a bit over 2 pounds
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/27inch.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/27inchpoint.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/27inchhilt.jpg)
It is quite blade heavy (surprisingly so to me, having never handled a 'real' Japanese blade, this may in fact be 'correct'). There is no visible Hamon (as I understand it). The 'Rayskin' of the sheath and handle (saya and tsuka?) is in excellent condition, some minor scratches but very tight and whole. The rondel (Tsuba?) is slightly loose. The blade is covered in 'in-relief' markings of fish, flowers, and perhaps clouds (the markings are raised, personally I can't think of how to construct this short of 'stamping'), and is very thick and heavily constructed of some type of steel (how to tell?), with some damage to the tip (looks like a very poor sharpening job). The 'sweep' of the blade is not what I would call perfect, probably ground out during construction.
Sword 2
Length Overall: 51.5 inches (this thing is huge, nearly as big as my 'big' German Longsword that I built)
Length Blade: 38.5 inches
Weight: very close to 3 pounds
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/38inch.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/38inchpoint.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ZG77_Lignite/38inchhilt.jpg)
This sword is very heavy 'feeling', and Large. It also may have what could be called a hamon, but I can't tell, it seems a bit 'fake' (or not, I can't decide). The blade has relief pictures of flowers on a growing tree branch. Its saya and tsuka are perhaps covered in some type of very tightly wrapped cord or leather, in pretty good shape. Its fittings are a bit loose, but fits tightly in the saya. The blade's 'sweep' is a little rough to my eye, again probably by a grinder during construction (not that it looks bad, its still quite nice, simply not what I might expect from a 'real' Japanese sword). The Tsuba is exceptionally plain and a bit rusted (smells of oil, simply surface rust patina).
So, did I waste my time on these? They are quite nice to look at, but I'd like to know just how good of care I should be taking of these things. I'm a bit 'spooked' to take them apart yet, I'm just not confident I can do it without damageing something due to my lack of practice and knowledge. Living in the 'boondocks' means that there is not likely anyone within 500 miles that might have a clue or that I would trust on the matter. So here's hoping you guys have some good suggestions, thanks for anything.