Hi there
i have a question regarding the Kanji on japanese blades.
As far as i understood, brands like Hitohira, Kono and many others have their own Kanji engraved or chiseled on their blades, independently of the blacksmith or sharpener.
But i also read that blacksmiths had knives self branded, or better said: signed, with their own name. I believe e.g. Kenichi Shiraki did jobs for others like Konosuke but has some knives signed by himself.
How can someone distinguish such differences? Do the self signed ones necessarily come with a COA? Are they in general more expensive than the "brand signed" ones?
i have a question regarding the Kanji on japanese blades.
As far as i understood, brands like Hitohira, Kono and many others have their own Kanji engraved or chiseled on their blades, independently of the blacksmith or sharpener.
But i also read that blacksmiths had knives self branded, or better said: signed, with their own name. I believe e.g. Kenichi Shiraki did jobs for others like Konosuke but has some knives signed by himself.
How can someone distinguish such differences? Do the self signed ones necessarily come with a COA? Are they in general more expensive than the "brand signed" ones?
