Katana -- you have a PM

Ian (two of three)

You are correct, Katana, which is why the I encouraged people to offer constructive comments about the blade, condition, perhaps warning signs, etc. What should be left out are comments that may be interpreted as being directed to the honesty, integrity, etc. of particular sellers. We are a scholarly forum, not an investigative watchdog.

Speaking from the point of view of a personal collector, I am of two minds regarding pointing out specific ways that a reproduction, aged or not, does not match a genuine article. While it is very helpful in spotting a reproduction and avoiding a costly mistake, it also gives an unscrupulous person desiring to fake an antique exactly the information they need to perfect their products. There is no easy answer to this conflict, but personally I am falling on the side of keeping that sort of information in private communications.

[QUOTE=Mark Bowditch] While it is very helpful in spotting a reproduction and avoiding a costly mistake, it also gives an unscrupulous person desiring to fake an antique exactly the information they need to perfect their products. QUOTE]

Excellent observation........one I hadn't considered

Thanks Marc,

I just want to be clear, as he seems to have started a long lineage of Solingen blade makers.

Jeff

P.S. I have seen a few pictures of these marks on 18th century schiavonas.