Quote:
Originally Posted by Joeaksa
Wouldnt it be better to remove the rust or buff it out?
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Only if you want to halve (or worse) the value of your investment. Nihonto collectors value authenticity and "original" condition over everything else. Every nick, dent, scratch, and rust spot could conceivably tell a story and/or be of historical significance.
If you absolutely HAVE to "restore" the blade, the only acceptable route is to have a togishi (properly trained and certified Japanese polisher) do the work. Prices start at over $100 per inch of blade and wait times are astronomical. There are perhaps 2 Americans who are qualified to do this sort of work and they, too, are in high demand. Any American who says "sure, I can polish your nihonto for you!" should be avoided like the guy who offers to install a Hyundai 4-cyl in your 911.
Read this first:
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
Nihonto collectors tend to make even the most anal concours weenies look like ham-fisted slobs in comparison.